PARKER ELY SAMUEL Autograph Letter Signed Donehogawa Iroquo

Sale 2351 - Lot 33

Price Realized: $ 3,250

?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price

Estimate: $ 800 - $ 1,200

PARKER, ELY SAMUEL. Autograph Letter Signed, "Donehogawa / Iroquois Sachem / or Ely S. Parker," to J.E. Kelly ("Dear Sir & Bro."), explaining how he came to be adopted into the Seneca Indian Nation and the origin of his name. 1 page, 4to; complete separation at horizontal fold, faint scattered staining, faint marginal discoloration from prior matting, cello tape remnants from prior mounting at edges verso. New York, 13 February 1894

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"In answer to your note . . . regarding your adoption into the Seneca Indian Nation, I can only reply what was reported to me about it by my sister Gee-go-sa-seh (the Wild Cat . . . the wife of the Chief of the Tuscaroras). . . . [who] proposed adopting you as her brother. Our oldest brother's name was Ga-nos-qua (the name of certain ancient monsters, who were mailed in stone). The name had not be appropriated or confer[r]ed upon anyone since his death, and as you were a sculptor, a worker in stone and clay, the name was thought very appropriate for you . . . . You were given the name, which was regularly promulgated according to ancient Indian custom, my brother Nicholson H. Parker acting as mater of ceremonies. As you became a wolf, & my sisters' adopted brother, of course you also became my adopted Seneca brother."