Lot 94: De Smet, Father Pierre-Jean. Life, Letters and

De Smet, Father Pierre-Jean. Life, Letters and Travels of Father Pierre-Jean De Smet, S.J. 1801-1873... 4 volumes. Edited by Hiram Martin Chittenden and Alfred Talbot Richardson. Illustrated with plates from early engravings, prints and photographs; folding map loose in rear endpaper pocket of Vol. IV. 9¼x6, original green cloth, spines lettered in gilt. First Edition. New York: Francis P. Harper, 1905 Important history of this Jesuit priest who had such a profound influence during the early days of the opening of the West. Tweney calls the work "both authoritative and indispensable" and relates that De Smet "travelled assiduously, wrote voluminously, and treated the Indians with sympathy and understanding...On numerous occasions he acted as chief negotiator between the Indians and the government, and he was influential in the formation of what eventually became the national Indian policy." Tweney 8. Covers lightly rubbed, a few corners bumped; former owner's ink signature on pastedowns, offsetting to endpapers; else unopened and near fine.