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1848 Original Hand colored lithograph of ONG-PA-TON-GA, AN OMAKAS CHIEF (ONGPATONGA), PLATE 15, from the octavo edition of McKenney & Hall’s History of the Indian Tribes of North America
1848 Original Hand colored lithograph of ONG-PA-TON-GA, AN OMAKAS CHIEF (ONGPATONGA), PLATE 15, from the octavo edition of McKenney & Hall’s History of the Indian Tribes of North America
1848 Original Hand colored lithograph of ONG-PA-TON-GA, AN OMAKAS CHIEF (ONGPATONGA), PLATE 15, from the octavo edition of McKenney & Hall’s History of the Indian Tribes of North America
1848 Original Hand colored lithograph of ONG-PA-TON-GA, AN OMAKAS CHIEF (ONGPATONGA), PLATE 15, from the octavo edition of McKenney & Hall’s History of the Indian Tribes of North America
1848 Original Hand colored lithograph of ONG-PA-TON-GA, AN OMAKAS CHIEF (ONGPATONGA), PLATE 15, from the octavo edition of McKenney & Hall’s History of the Indian Tribes of North America
1848 Original Hand colored lithograph of ONG-PA-TON-GA, AN OMAKAS CHIEF (ONGPATONGA), PLATE 15, from the octavo edition of McKenney & Hall’s History of the Indian Tribes of North America
1848 Original Hand colored lithograph of ONG-PA-TON-GA, AN OMAKAS CHIEF (ONGPATONGA), PLATE 15, from the octavo edition of McKenney & Hall’s History of the Indian Tribes of North America
1848 Original Hand colored lithograph of ONG-PA-TON-GA, AN OMAKAS CHIEF (ONGPATONGA), PLATE 15, from the octavo edition of McKenney & Hall’s History of the Indian Tribes of North America
1848 Original Hand colored lithograph of ONG-PA-TON-GA, AN OMAKAS CHIEF (ONGPATONGA), PLATE 15, from the octavo edition of McKenney & Hall’s History of the Indian Tribes of North America
1848 Original Hand colored lithograph of ONG-PA-TON-GA, AN OMAKAS CHIEF (ONGPATONGA), PLATE 15, from the octavo edition of McKenney & Hall’s History of the Indian Tribes of North America
1848 Original Hand colored lithograph of ONG-PA-TON-GA, AN OMAKAS CHIEF (ONGPATONGA), PLATE 15, from the octavo edition of McKenney & Hall’s History of the Indian Tribes of North America

1848 Original Hand colored lithograph of ONG-PA-TON-GA, AN OMAKAS CHIEF (ONGPATONGA), PLATE 15, from the octavo edition of McKenney & Hall’s History of the Indian Tribes of North America

McKenney & Hall, History of the Indian Tribes of North America,

ONG-PA-TON-GA, AN OMAKAS CHIEF.

Hand-Colored Octavo Lithograph after Charles Bird King, Plate No 45.

 Publ. Rice, Rutter & C. 1848-50

Paper size 10 1/4 x 6 5/8" (26.2 x 16.6 cm). Great condition and color.

This original, hand-colored lithograph comes from the octavo edition of McKenney & Hall’s History of the Indian Tribes of North America, published by Rice, Rutter & Co and the plate number of this lithograph is No 15.

An admirer and supporter of the American Indians, Thomas McKenney spent his tenure in office fighting for their cause and preserving their legacy through a gallery of paintings that were commissioned by various artists. Unfortunately, the original paintings burned in a fire, and all that is left to remember these Indians are the lithographs found in History which were modeled off the paintings.

This print is an original antique print, not a modern reproduction, from History of the Indian Tribes of North America.  It is authentic. Due to its age, it may have slight imperfections such as foxing so, please, examine the octavo carefully to be satisfied, as photos tell better than words.

Big Elk, also known as Ontopanga (1770–1846/1853), was a principal chief of the Omaha tribe for many years on the upper Missouri River. He is notable for his oration delivered at the funeral of Black Buffalo in 1813.

Big Elk led his people during a time of increasing changes, with threats from Sioux warfare, disease and European-American encroachment. He created alliances to protect his people and prepare for a future which he thought depended on a closer relationship with the United States. He was willing to exchange land for the promise of protection for his people but was often disappointed by the failures of the US government.