two Lakota in festive regalia in front of a covered wagon

[Californian]

two Lakota males in festive regalia, in front of a covered wagon, supposedly photographed at Pine Ridge in 1891, unknown photographer
"Sioux Indians after the Indian war of 1891 at Pine Ridge Agency, S.D. celebrating the gladness of being alive." There is no photographer's imprint, except for a marking in the lower left corner of the image "472 J. Wit". Reprints of this photograph, together with other views from Pine Ridge Agency were sold and and distributed by August G. Johnson, a retail merchant from Chadron, Nebraska during the 1890's/early 1900's (he later moved to York, Nebraska). Ref. Denver Public Library, Denver CO, call No. X-31487.

See: digital.denverlibrary.org/nodes/view/1046464?keywords=Sioux+Indians+in+Battle+of+Wounded+Knee&type=all&highlights=WyJTaW91eCIsIkluZGlhbnMiLCJpbiIsIkJhdHRsZSIsIm9mIiwiV291bmRlZCIsIktuZWUiXQ%3D%3D&lsk=c0aea6f5ab8133cebfb1ceb25c26cf32

The photographer possibly might have been Clarence Grant Morledge who was active on Pine Ridge in the summer of 1891.

click onto image to enlarge

[denis]

in my archive, this photograph is defined as 'Lakota Indians of the Wild West Show, 1880's' and the indication that behind the men is a large Wild West branded saddle with a horse cartouche on it

[Californian]

from where did you source your print ? Imperial sized prints were more common in the 1890s and forward, in fact this particular photograph has the "feel" of the work by John C. H. Grabill, though it lacks his usual text commentary imprint and also his trade mark on the mount. On July 4th 1891 dances were held at Pine Ridge Agency and also in nearby Chadron, Nebraska from which event numerous photographs exist, mostly attributed to C. G. Morledge.

[denis]

ciao Californian Expert
see in heritage auctions
historical.ha.com/itm/western-expansion/indian-artifacts/imperial-size-photograph-of-two-indians-in-front-of-conestoga-wagon-ca-1880s/a/689-72405.s

Naturally, I'm not sure about the authenticity of the source

[Californian]

merci Denis, my assertion is a guess, and it gained some credence because of its connection to August G. Johnson of Chadron NE who operated a retail store there in the 1890's and distributed these photographs, that is by Traeger & Kuhn/Northwest Photographic Co. and C.G. Morledge. His prints were sold to the Smithsonian and the Denver Public Library who reference him to the relevant images, but he was not a photographer. August G. Johnson was almost but certainly connected to Gus Traeger and may have taken over the latter's negatives after his departure from Chadron. At this point we cannot really be sure. The notation at the bottom right "472 J.Wit" or "472 J.W.T" seems to indicate a larger series of images and a photographer's or distributor's initials. I searched far and wide, but could not find anything else that compares with this image or something with a similar writing at the bottom. But as always, come time, something or someone will come to the fore and then we'll have all the answers.