Monuments in Cedar: The Authentic Story of the Totem Pole

Description: Totem Pole – The word totem derives from the Algonquian word “odoodem” meaning “(his) kinship group.” The carvings may symbolize or commemorate ancestors, cultural beliefs that recount familiar legends, clan lineages, or notable events. They are monumental carvings found in western Canada and the northwestern United States and are a type of Northwest Coast art, consisting or poles, posts, or pillars, carved with symbols or figures, usually made from large trees, mostly western red cedar. This small volume in twelve chapters covers the following: The Totem Polar Region, Antiquity of the Totem Pole, Types of Totem Poles, How to Read a Totem Pole, Social and Political Organization, Northwest Coast Decorative Art, Northwest Coard Religion, Oral Literature, The Potlatch, Carving and Erecting the Totem Pole. Totem Restoration, Legends in Cedar. Condition: Beautiful full front cover pastedown of photograph of a Totem Pole from Pennock Island on dark olive-green cloth boards shows some rubbing. Boards are in good condition with some wear along the edges and cosmetic blemishes to the rear board. Spine has title and author in debossed silver text that is bright and readable, slight wear at the top and bottom of the back strip and rubbing to the gutters. Corners have slight wear but are all sharp. The spine is straight and hinges are firmly attached to the endpapers. Text block is solid and all pages are firmly attached. Light age tanning throughout. Signed by the author on the front, lower endpaper, and includes promotional bookmark. The interior pages are clean with no tears, chips, creases, or previous owner marks. Filled with in-text black & white photographs, fold out map and subdivisions of Tlingit-Speaking People at rear of book. 160 pages including Bibliography of Works Consulted, Dimensions: H – 8” W – 5-1/2” Edward Linnaeus Keithahn (1900 – 1970) in 1909 as a young boy became interested in totem poles at the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition in Seattle. He later traveled to southeast Alaska, lived, and taught in the native villages for about 15 years. He worked “in the Indian Service” (meaning perhaps employment with the Bureau of Indian Affairs), living mainly among the Tligit and Haida people. From 1941 he was Curator and Librarian at the Alaska Historical Library and Museum in Juneau, Alaska. He was the author of two books and numerous popular and professional articles. As a veteran of World War I, he was also a member of the Alaska National Guard.

Price: 42 USD

Location: Fort Collins, Colorado

End Time: 2025-02-11T15:59:30.000Z

Shipping Cost: 4.17 USD