Pacific Northwest Ethnography ~ Wishram Indians ~ Spier & Sapir ~ 1930 For Sale

An important early ethnographic study of the Wishram people of the Columbia River region, authored by two major figures in American anthropology and linguistics.

📌 Key Details

• Leslie Spier and Edward Sapir, Wishram Ethnography
• University of Washington Publications in Anthropology, Vol. 3, No. 3
• University of Washington Press, Seattle, May 1930
• Substantial monograph spanning pages 151–300
• Original wrappers show age toning, edge/corner wear, small tears and an old handwritten notation; interior appears notably clean and well preserved

📜 Description

Centered on the Wishram people of the Columbia River, this 1930 monograph preserves an extensive early ethnographic record from one of the Pacific Northwest’s historically important Indigenous communities. The Wishram lived along the Columbia near a major center of regional trade and cultural exchange, giving studies of their society significance well beyond a single community.

Written by anthropologist Leslie Spier and renowned linguist-anthropologist Edward Sapir, Wishram Ethnography belongs to the formative era of professional anthropology in the Pacific Northwest. Its combination of focused Indigenous history, early field scholarship and distinguished authorship makes it especially relevant to collectors of Native American studies, Columbia River history, linguistics and classic anthropology.

📚 Background

Edward Sapir was one of the most influential linguists and anthropologists of the early 20th century, particularly noted for his work with Indigenous languages of North America. Leslie Spier was likewise an important American anthropologist whose research encompassed Indigenous cultures of western North America. Their collaboration gives this University of Washington publication particular significance within the history of ethnographic scholarship.

🧠 Collector’s Note

Early university-issued ethnographies often survive outside the mainstream antiquarian book market despite their specialized historical importance. This example combines a tightly focused Pacific Northwest subject with Sapir and Spier authorship and its original 1930 publication format—strong points of interest for collections centered on Indigenous studies, anthropology, linguistics or Columbia River history.

🖼️ What You’ll Receive

One original 1930 University of Washington publication, Wishram Ethnography by Leslie Spier and Edward Sapir, in original printed wrappers.

Carefully packaged and shipped securely. 📦