The Navajo

MOORE, J. B. [U. S. LICENSED INDIAN TRADER]

Publication: J B Moore, 1911, Crystal Navajo Reservation, New Mexico

First edition. Large 8vo. Stapled printed wrappers, 32 pp., foreword, illustrated from color plates and photographs, 15 color and 1 black & white plates showing Navajo rugs; black & white photograph illustrations of Navajo Indians, their homes; weavers; reservation; cattle and war chiefs Bi-Leen-Kla-Zhim (Black Horse); Hastin Sit-So-Ai; and Tai-O-Nie.

John Bradford Moore (1855–1926) was a trader at Crystal Trading Post in New Mexico and became deeply involved in Navajo weaving and culture. He ran the trading post from around 1896 to 1911 and used catalogs (one in 1903 and a later one in 1911) to sell rugs directly via mail order to customers in the eastern U.S., since the remote location limited walk-in tourist trade. His publications are important early works in the study of Navajo weaving and material culture. This catalog was a promotional booklet featuring illustrations of Navajo rug designs that Moore encouraged local Navajo weavers to produce, with descriptions and prices. Some copies had Moore's name mechanically overprinted with another person's name — likely for resale or redistribution purposes. There is no overprinting of Moore's name in our copy.

Cream printed staple-bound wrappers. Some staining on front cover; light wear; else a near fine copy of a rare Native American mail-order trade catalog. We find no copies in the market; no copies in online institutions and only 1 copy at auction in the last 30 years.