Rare, original, ca1900, Cabinet Card Photograph of Ponca Indian Couple in traditional dress - the Brave named “The Warrior” and wearing an Indian Police Badge. This wonderful, period, Card Mount Photograph measures approx. 3 7/8” x 5 3/8” and is mounted on its original Card Mount (overall size is 4 1/4” x 6 1/2”). A period, manuscript inscription in the reverse has been crudely retraced but we can make out the underlying words as “Barrber(?) Warrior, Indian Police, Ponca Indians”. We do know that in 1901 a Ponca Indian named simply “The Warrior” is listed as one of only 4 Indian Police at Ponca City, Oklahoma. In the image the Brave stands straight backed as does his wife. “The Warrior” wears quite elaborate, traditional Native American dress including a single eagle feather, beaded moccasins, and fringed, buckskin pants. In his left hand, however, he holds what appear to be a Knights Templar Sword. The Card Mount is impressed with the name of the Photographer - Mystic Studios of Ponca City, Oklahoma which leads us to the identification of the male as “The Warrior” found on the Indian Police Roster of 1902.

This photograph and the other Indian images being sold this week on eBay, came to us from a recently downsized, small College Museum in Oklahoma.

This wonderful, original Cabinet Card Photograph is in very good condition. The image is clean, crisp with sharp focus, strong contrast and rich tonality. The Card Mount is crisp, sound and intact with only the slightest amount of edge wear and a small chip at the upper right hand corner (not affecting the photograph itself). A very rare and very attractive, ca1900, Cabinet Card Photo of a Ponca Indian Policeman and his wife and a fantastic addition to any Native American Photograph collection!!