152: CHARLES BANKS WILSON VERY RARE 1939 LITHO EDITION OF 10

Charles Banks Wison (1918-2013)
Tribal Honor (1939)
The very rare artist's working version with an image printed both sides is signed lower right of one side and titled lower left that same side with the edition listed as only 10 total prints pulled.

David Hunt's catalog raisonne lists this image as number 3 and confirms the edition at only 10 prints pulled as well.

Like another early example we handled from this collection, this print includes Wilson's Indian name in pencil below his signature on the right. The seller was close friends with the artist.

Of this image, David Hunt remarks, ''Bordering on satire, this early print reveals Wilson's interest in depicting Indians, as he saw them rather than as they were represented in films are on posters promoting tourism in the southwest.''

In Hunt's book, Wilson explains, ''Indians have an unexpected sense of humor. Accepting money for making someone an honorary chief was sometimes viewed with amusement.''

The Oklahoma Senate website pictures this image with a description that sounds a bit like it could be in the voice of Charles Banks Wilson too: ''Early politicians usually always invited local Native Americans to attend their political rallies. It was considered a great honor for an Indian headdress to be placed on the individual's head.''

This scene with its rotund, cigar smoking politicians and Native Americans looking on is illuminated by these comments.

The offering of this print marks the first appearance of this extremely rare lithograph at auction, or anywhere for sale that we can find. According to all four major art auction record databases and entries on the major online bidding platforms it has never been up for bid. This may be the only opportunity one has to obtain this important print, particularly in this condition. The sheet is unframed.
Image measures 9.75 x 15.5, sheet is 13.5H x 19W inches.
Very good condition, apparently the full untrimmed sheet, not laid down, never framed. There are two 1.25 inch tears in the bottom margin lower left, two bits of foxing top center, good condition overall.
Provenance: A private Kansas collection, purchased directly from the artist.
$2,000 - $3,000