The Image is identified with a period manuscript inscription on the back of the mount that reads "Kiowa Squaw”. This is a Studio portrait Photograph of the beautiful, young Kiowa Woman wearing traditional, high top beaded Kiowa moccasins, a patterned cotton tunic and a trade blanket that is wrapped around her waist. It is a full figure, seated portrait of the young mother holding a cradleboard containing her young child upright at the left. The CDV carries the mark of the photographer – William F. Bliss of Fort Sill, Indian Territory.

    This carte-de-visite of a Kiowa Mother and Child was taken in Indian Territory in the 1870s, either by William P. Bliss or by William S. Soule. Soule was well-known for the photographs he made of Southern Plains Indians in the late 1860s and early 1870s. He arrived at Fort Dodge in 1867, moved briefly to Camp Supply a couple of years later, then relocated to Fort Sill, where he remained until returning to Boston in late 1874 or early 1875. The photographer William P. Bliss moved from Wichita, Kansas to Indian Territory about the time Soule left. He was based first at the Cheyenne Agency at Darlington, then moved to Fort Sill. Some photographs thought to have been originally created by Soule also were marketed under the Bliss imprint. So, although the Photo carries the mark of W. P. Bliss, it may have originally been taken by William S, Soule

    This rare and original, CDV Photograph is in very good condition. The Image exhibits sharp focus, strong contrast and rich, warm tonality. Both the image and the card mount are clean however there is a vertical crease along the right hand edge of the CDV (see the scans below).

    A very rare and original, 1870’s CDV Photograph of a beautiful, young Native American Kiowa Indian Woman and her child by William Bliss (or possibly Will Soule) of Fort Sill, Indian Territory and a fantastic addition to any Native American Photograph collection!!!

    Be sure to check out this seller’s other auctions for a number of other 19th and early 20th century Native American Indian Images and Artifacts which are also being offered for sale this week on eBay!!