January 26, 2024 Brian Lebel's Old West Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/26/2024
An important historic document. The White Bull ledger book was created in the late 19th to early 20th century. It was written and drawn by White Bull (nephew of Sitting Bull) and records coups, combats, and winter counts of the Sioux. White Bull claimed to have killed Custer. Although this may or may not be true, the ledger book records battle scenes drawn by White Bull and probably is recording his fight with Custer and many other of his own personal battles. The book is a total of (162) pages, (120) with writing, (33) drawings, (28) blank pages many of which are across from a drawing. The book measures 14" x 8 1/2" x 3/4" thick.
Author Mike Cowdrey has written "This Ledger book is White Bull's personal and original biographical account. In terms of Lakota historiography, this volume is comparable in importance to the diaries of Thomas Jefferson – a unique and irreplaceable resource."
White Bull (1849 – 1947) was the nephew of Sitting Bull, and a famous warrior in his own right. White Bull participated in the Battle of the Little Bighorn on June 25, 1876. After the battle, White Bull joined his uncle, Hunkpapa Sioux leader Sitting Bull, while fleeing to Canada.
Provenance: Morning Star Gallery 1999
Images of each page are available at www.MorphyAuctions.com