The New Edition
The new edition comprises all of Bodmer's best work, each struck from the priceless original engraved plates

Having decided to undertake a historic second printing from all 81of these original plates, the Joslyn Art Museum is ready to announce the new edition of BODMER'S AMERICA.

It has been hand-printed from the original plates and meticulously hand-coloured according to the original watercolours and Bodmer's own directions. The publishers, Alecto Historical Editions, are using the same early 19th-century techniques that were employed to print the first edition. Alecto Historical Editions is considered to be the finest printer of engravings in the world today.

The new edition comprises all of Bodmer's best work, each struck from the priceless original engraved plates.

Among the images in this new edition are all Bodmer's masterpieces, including: "Bison Dance of the Mandan Indians", about which one art critic wrote: "The final version pulsates with life and sound, mystery and ferocity"

Also included is the magnificent rendition of "Mahchsi-Karehde" (Flying War Eagle). "Here", one art historian wrote, "one cannot help but be taken in with his eagle-feather fan and his extraordinary bear-claw necklace as well as his elaborate leggings and decorated moccasins. It is easy to see a mighty warrior stands before us calmly assured of his power".

The engravings are accurate as well as soul-stirring, and are still referred to by anthropologists studying the rich symbolism of' Indian dress.

Bodmer's breathtaking landscapes are also represented in this edition: "Bodmer not only caught the mystery inherent in the Indian psyche, but he caught the mystery inherent in the setting and the land itself"', Professor Goetzmann wrote.

The landscapes include his "View of the Rocky Mountains" showing the grand serration of the Rockies rising from the Great Plains, with the Missouri River and a peaceful Indian camp in the middleground; and "Buffalo and Elk on the Upper Missouri", depicting a huge herd of buffalo watering in the Missouri river, framed by Dakota badlands.

Alecto Historical Editions