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M-58: Little Shield Sketchbook

HISTORY: One of the earliest extant examples of Plains Indian ledger art, this series of sketches was created by Little Shield, an Arapaho Chieftain, who recorded his own exploits in a pictorial journal sometime in the 1860s. The ledger was donated to the Mercantile Library in 1890

SCOPE: This series of sketches, a visual autobiography of "Little Shield, Chief of the Arrapohas," shows his exploits of valor and historical enemies in pictographic form. Little Shield's figure is riding a horse into battle in each sketch.

HOLDINGS: Large unbound volume of 23 pencil sketches, colored on lined tablet paper, mounted for exhibition. 14pp.

ACCESS: Due to rarity and condition, access to the physical collection is limited. However, a digital version is available in adobe .pdf format. For further assistance please contact the staff member listed below.

Mercantile Hours
In observance of security procedures, certain services may not be available shortly before the daily closing time.
Direct questions or comments regarding this site to
The Saint Louis Mercantile Library at the University of Missouri-St. Louis
Deborah Cribbs
Special Collections Curator
314-516-7280