The lot features an original photograph by the Gerhard Sisters of St. Louis, Missouri during the Worlds Fair 1904 of an Eskimo Native American Indian. The Eskimo Indigenous represented in this photograph is the brother of Nancy Columbia (1893-1959). Nancy Columbia, also known as Miss Columbia and Columbia Eneutseak, was declared the Queen of the Carnival at the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition in Seattle she was a performer and later the first known Inuit professional actor in the history of film. This photo was taken of the young Mister Columbia during the St. Louis World’s Fair also known as the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in 1904. The figure is shown in a wood paneled studio wearing leopard seal skin fur jacket and pants with traditional mukluks and a wonderful belt and brooch of Walrus Tusk. The boudoir card or full format picture is marked on the first “Gerhard Sisters St. Louis” and is signed the same in the artwork. The Gerhard Sisters, Emme Gerhard (1872-1946) and Mayme Gerhard (1876-1955), were the first women photographers to establish a studio in St. Louis, Missouri in 1903. The piece has been set in an early same period correct antique frame and a photocopy of the back of the piece is accompanied which is handwritten, “1904 / Gagarios Fact- Nom. Labradore Ndin.” A digital example from the Missouri History Museum is shown with Mister Columbia standing with Nancy Columbia with him in the exact same outfit, the image is titled, “Esquimaux Nancy Columbia’s Family” and was also taken by the Gerhard Sisters. The visible photo area measures 7.25”x5.25”. The frame is 10.5”x8.5”. For a complete representation of condition and for additional images please call 800-686-4216. It is the buyer’s responsibility to view each image and preview the item to determine condition.