[Native Americans] Spurr, Ervin Willard.
Group of Photographs of Native American Actors
Group of four large original exhibition photographs of Native American actors of the 1920's. Included are portraits of Chief Clear Sky (a mirror-image print of another extant photograph, identified on the verso in pencil), Chief Luxosier (Billie Harris, identified on the verso in pencil), Anapole Del Vando ("Morning Sky" in the Mission Players; identified at the foot and dated August 1925 on the verso), and Privida Mojardo ("Red Wing" in the Mission Players of San Gabriel; identified in ink on the verso). All signed or stamped in the print by the photographer, Ervin Willard Spurr, and the last stamped with credit stamp on the verso. Some light smudging and edge wear; overall fine. 14 x 18 inches (35.3 x 45.3 cm).Ervin Willard Spurr was born in 1869 New York and grew up in Iowa, where he established his reputation as a photographer, before moving his studio to Pasadena. Among his subjects was Albert Einstein. A collection of his photographs of Native American actors is held at the Library of Congress. Among the actors he photographed was Chief Thunderbird, who acted in Westerns of the 1930's such as Custer's Last Stand and Annie Oakley.
The Mission Players of San Gabriel participated in a 1919 parade in Pasadena, according to the Pasadena Star-News: "The beautiful and elaborate entry of the Mission Play was a representation of the San Gabriel Mission at the height of its glory. Spanish dancers and musicians in colorful costumes gave life to the picture. The float was preceded by a group of real Indians, giving their Indian dances." (17817)
Film Unsigned Photo