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The Pictograph mural, Library of Congress, Washington, DC, 1896

Subjects
LibrariesNative American Life
Card type
Lithograph
Date
c. 1906 (Early)
Front of The Pictograph mural, Library of Congress, Washington, DC, 1896, c. 1906 lithograph postcard
Front
Back of The Pictograph mural, Library of Congress, Washington, DC, 1896, c. 1906 lithograph postcard
Back

About this postcard

The mural panel shows two Native American figures on a grassy bank. One reclines against the slope while the other kneels over an animal hide, tracing a pictograph in red pigment. A painted arch with decorative borders frames the scene. The caption identifies the work as John W. Alexander's The Pictograph in the Library of Congress, part of his Evolution of the Book series, and calls the image "picture writing," a way Native Americans recorded "his rude story of the war trail and the chase" on painted buffalo robes. Such pictographs served as records of hunting and war exploits.

Postcard Details

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PublisherB. S. Reynolds Co.
The Pictograph Evolution of the Book Series COPYRIGHT 1896 BY JOHN W. ALEXANDER 45383 --- THE PICTOGRAPH, BY JOHN W. ALEXANDER MURAL PAINTING IN THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, WASHINGTON, D. C. The Pictograph, or picture writing, by which the primitive American Indian records on the painted buffalo robe his rude story of the war trail and the chase. POST CARD THIS SPACE FOR ADDRESS ONLY PLACE ONE CENT STAMP HERE B. S. REYNOLDS CO., 918 D ST., NORTHWEST, WASHINGTON, D. C. "C.T. AMERICAN ART" REG. U.S. PAT. OFF.
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Postcard record

PublisherB. S. Reynolds Co.
SeriesEvolution of the Book Series
ConditionVery good
Place mentionedLibrary of Congress, Washington, DC
PublisherB. S. Reynolds Co., Washington, DC
NotesWhite border; fine halftone screen visible; slight corner wear. Mural panel from the 'Evolution of the Book' series by John W. Alexander. No postmark, stamp, or address block. Undivided back ('THIS SPACE FOR ADDRESS ONLY'). White border around the picture. Printed copyright 1896 by John W. Alexander (front). Publisher imprint B. S. Reynolds Co., Washington, D.C.; printed by C.T. American Art (Chicago). Pencil dealer marks '#59' and '1-' at lower right. Light foxing/soiling on card stock.

Cite this card

The Pictograph mural, Library of Congress, Washington, DC, 1896, postcard, c. 1906. PostalPast Collection. https://postalpast.com/postcard/the-pictograph-mural-library-of-congress-washington-dc-1896. Accessed November 2, 2026.