Yesterday, Swann Galleries sold the complete set of 20 volumes and 20 folios of Edward S. Curtis‘ “The North American Indian” for $1.44 million, the highest price ever paid for works on paper at the auction house. It was the top lot in Swann’s fine photographs and photobooks sale.

“We were very pleased to have sold this iconic work by a major 20th century artist,” said Daile Kaplan, Swann’s director of photographs and photobooks department, in a statement. “The price reflects the rarity and beauty of this American masterpiece and the interest in photobooks as an artform.”

— Rachel Corbett

Tags: Auction Records, Edward S. Curtis, Rachel Corbett, Swann Galleries