c. 1856-1866. Ambrotype. Half plate. Unknown photographer. 

Important, unpublished portrait of Cherokee Chief John Ross, who was known as the "Moses" of his people for leading the Cherokee through the Trail of Tears.

This piece surfaced with a previously unknown, inscribed albumen photograph of Chief John Ross (sold in Fleischer's Auctions' August 5th, 2023 "Civil War & African American History" sale, lot 265) in 2017, leaving little doubt it was once owned by Ross himself or a family member. 

Chief John Ross (1790–1866) served as the principal chief of the Cherokee Nation from 1828 until his death in 1866, playing a crucial role in defending Cherokee rights and sovereignty. He tirelessly advocated for the Cherokee Nation, particularly during the tumultuous period marked by forced removal. Despite his efforts, the Indian Removal Act of 1830 led to the tragic displacement of the Cherokee from their ancestral lands, resulting in immense suffering and loss of life. Ross, himself of mixed Cherokee and Scottish heritage, was eventually compelled to lead his people on the arduous journey known as the Trail of Tears to Indian Territory, present-day Oklahoma. Despite the hardships endured, Ross remained committed to protecting Cherokee rights and cultural preservation. Ross's unwavering dedication to Cherokee sovereignty earned him the reputation of a skilled diplomat and a respected leader. Despite the devastating impact of forced removal, his efforts to protect Cherokee interests and identity continue to resonate in Cherokee and Native American history.

[Photography, Early Photography, Historic Photography, Daguerreotypes, Ambrotypes, Tintypes, Cased Images, Union Cases, Albumen Photographs, CDVs, Carte de Visites, Cartes de Visite, Carte-de-visite, Cartes-de-visite, CDV, Cabinet Cards, Stereoviews, Stereocards] [Native Americans, Native American History, American Indian, Indian History]