LOS ANGELES, CA.- Bonhams will present the scholarly collection of Roy H. Robinson (1882-1970), offering over 500 lots that represent a broad selection of cultural material of Native peoples across North America, in a two-day sale on October 26 and 27 in Los Angeles. In the more than 50 years since Robinson’s passing, the collection was thought lost, almost forgotten, and the rediscovery of this vast amount of historical material is significant. One of the most monumental discoveries were an unprecedented four intact and complete drawing books by Southern Tsitsistas (Cheyenne) and Kiowa men imprisoned at Fort Marion in Florida from 1875-1878 after the so-called Red River War of 1874-1875. Three of the books are individually illustrated, by Cheyenne artist Bear’s Heart (1851–1882), Kiowa artist Ohet-Toint (c. 1848-1934/35), and Kiowa artist Etahdleuh Doanmoe (1856-1888), with the fourth book showcasing original artwork by both Bear’s Heart and Ohet-toint. The incredible artistry of the books, with scenes from their lives before and after their incarceration, as well as documenting significant events from the prisoners’ journey across the country, proves the significance and rarity of these masterworks. Each book is estimated at $80,000 – 120,000.

Assembled in the early part of the 20th century, Robinson intended to design a museum for his collection which was recognized by experts in the field such as George Gustave Heye, Frederick J. Dockstader, and Norman Feder. Robinson was a Chicago-based builder and inventor whose interest in Native American cultures arose in the early 1900s. After decades of collecting, Roy married WPA artist Lucile Ward and together they enjoyed studying, caring for, and documenting each object in the collection. Lucile continued her dedication to the collection after his death, transcribing her husband’s notes, inspecting, and maintaining the vast inventory.

“With the passage of time, the collection of Roy H. Robinson came to be viewed as a ‘lost collection,’ the stuff of legend amongst those who knew of its existence but, not having seen it, had only heard rumors of its magnificence,” said Ingmars Lindbergs, Director of Bonhams Native American Art Department. “This is arguably the last large private collection from this era and although the dream of a museum dedicated to his collection did not come to fruition, the ultimate goal of sharing these beautiful objects and their stories will here be fulfilled.”

As the sale title implies, “From the Great Lakes to the Rio Grande”, Robinson’s collecting spanned the diverse regions of North America. An exceptional offering of over 100 Southwestern textiles exemplifies Robinson’s appreciation for the interconnectedness of Navajo, Spanish New Mexican and Mexican weaving traditions, which he similarly sought to link with his vast assemblage of colorful twined bags of the peoples from the Great Lakes region, and the early finger-woven sashes of the Eastern Woodlands. Of particular note is a Navajo early classic child’s serape, circa 1840-1860, which through its complex layout showcases the virtuosity and control of the weaver. Estimate: $40,000-60,000.




From the Plains region comes an exceptional, fully beaded Lakota (Sioux) woman’s dress, a tour-de-force of early Reservation-era beadwork which is estimated at $80,000-120,000. The sinew-sewn elk hide dress, adorned primarily with rich blue beads accented by yellow, white-heart red, and green beads, a personal manifestation of cultural identity during the beginning of the Reservation period. Recent research has uncovered historic photographs showing the very same dress worn by Julie Nelson, a young woman who, along with her family, toured with Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West Show in the 1880s. Another significant garment is a beaded pictorial “scout’s jacket” attributed to one of the most important leaders of the Oglala Lakota Sioux, Red Cloud (Makhpiya-luta) (1822-1909), which he is seen wearing in a portrait painted by Elbridge Ayer Burbank in the National Portrait Gallery of the Smithsonian, estimated at $15,000 – 25,000. Additionally highlighted is a spontoon tomahawk with an elaborate red stroud drop beaded with triangles and horse tracks. Estimated at $20,000 – 40,000, it was held by the subject of Edward S. Curtis’ 1910 photograph titled “Many Bears – Flathead.”

The long-established presence of Robinson and his family in New Mexico is evidenced in the variety of historic Pueblo pottery and jewelry collected there. Highlights include classic Zuni pottery ollas gifted to Robinson by his sister, Edna, who had married Dr. Frank Mera, tuberculosis specialist and founder of the Sunmount Sanatorium in Santa Fe, which in the early 1900s attracted numerous artists, writers, and other luminaries who would change the cultural landscape of Santa Fe.

Additional highlights in the sale include:

• A Navajo classic third phase chief’s wearing blanket. Estimate: $25,000-35,000.

• An Apsáalooke (Crow) beaded mirror bag with pictographic mirror. Estimate: $10,000-15,000.

• An early 19th century Huron beaded ceinture fléchée sash. Estimate: $5,000-8,000.

• An Apsáalooke (Crow) effigy mirror board. Estimate: $5,000-8,000.

• A Mexican classic Saltillo serape. Estimate: $7,000-10,000.