Rare Books
Photographic studies of Indians
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Carl Moon Photographs of Indians of the Southwest and Oklahoma, 1904-1917
Visual Materials
This collection of photographs by photographer Carl Moon documents Native Americans living in Arizona, New Mexico and Oklahoma between 1904 and 1917. In a letter to Henry Huntington, Feb. 12, 1923, Moon describes these photographs as "a complete collection of my Indian pictures made from the beginning of my work in 1904 to 1917. It includes … the pick of the Fred Harvey collection that I made for them during the period of my contract with them, 1907 to 1914, and my own collection made since the latter date." Moon mostly traveled by himself, and spent time getting to know his subjects before photographing them. He seems to have made a series of shots of his subjects, sometimes with different attire or props, and sometimes assigning different titles to the photographs (see images 214, 225, 235, for example). Besides the portraits, there are scenes of Indians in their daily activities, including baking bread in outdoor ovens, gathering water in pots, riding horses and tending livestock. There are also views of the Hopi Snake Dance, and the Corn Dance at Santo Domingo. Almost all of the photographs are signed "Karl Moon" – his name until 1918, when he changed the spelling to Carl. Many of the prints are also stamped "copyright Fred Harvey" which indicates they were made while Moon was under contract there, 1907-1914. Moon also copyrighted many of his own works, and a dated copyright stamp is embossed in the prints. The copyright date does not always indicate the year the photograph was made – it could be several years later (see image 214, for example). Other items in collection Box 18: - Typescript introduction and index to the photographs, titled "A Brief Account of the Making of this Collection of Indian Pictures," by Carl Moon, 1924, 54 pp. - Newspaper clippings related to Moon, 1904-1936 (bulk 1911-1923). - Exhibition brochure for artist Thomas Moran, mentioning "Karl Moon," 1916.
photCL 313
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Copy photographs from Carl Moon negatives of Indians of the Southwest and Oklahoma
Visual Materials
Photographs of Indians of the Southwest, approximately 1903-1917, in formal portraits and in posed scenes such as hunting, making pottery, weaving, or playing instruments. There are a few views of pueblo villages and dance ceremonies. A smaller portion of the collection consists of portraits of Osage Indians living on reservations in Oklahoma. Many of these prints were made from the same negatives used by Moon to create the finished prints in the Carl Moon Photographs of Indians of the Southwest and Oklahoma collection (photCL 313). There are also several variant or alternate poses of the same subjects, and some unique images that do not appear in photCL 313.
photCL 195
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Photograph of artwork by Grace Moon. Portrays very young Indian girl
Visual Materials
Family photographs, albums, clippings and other items relating to the early life and career of photographer Carl Moon (1878-1948) and his wife, Grace Moon, who wrote a series of children's books revolving around Hopi and Navajo culture in the Southwest. There are several portraits of both of them and portraits of Moon family members. A photo/clipping album contains many scenes of their early home life in Pasadena, Ca., with their two children, along with clippings about their careers. There is one view of Grace Moon at El Tovar studio in the Grand Canyon. Another album details several generations of the Moon family in photographs dating from the mid-19th to early-20th centuries. Ephemera includes a 1909 brochure for Hotel El Tovar at the Grand Canyon, and diaries and artwork by Carl Moon's family members.
photCL 484
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One copy of "'The Century"' magazine, Oct. 1907, with four photographs of Southwest Indians by Karl Moon
Visual Materials
Family photographs, albums, clippings and other items relating to the early life and career of photographer Carl Moon (1878-1948) and his wife, Grace Moon, who wrote a series of children's books revolving around Hopi and Navajo culture in the Southwest. There are several portraits of both of them and portraits of Moon family members. A photo/clipping album contains many scenes of their early home life in Pasadena, Ca., with their two children, along with clippings about their careers. There is one view of Grace Moon at El Tovar studio in the Grand Canyon. Another album details several generations of the Moon family in photographs dating from the mid-19th to early-20th centuries. Ephemera includes a 1909 brochure for Hotel El Tovar at the Grand Canyon, and diaries and artwork by Carl Moon's family members.
photCL 484
