Picture-Writing of the American Indians
 Tenth Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1888-89, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1893, pages 3-822

by Garrick Mallery

"Picture-Writing of the American Indians" by Garrick Mallery is a scholarly publication written in the late 19th century. The work likely serves as an extensive study of the pictorial communication systems used by various Native American tribes, focusing on their significance and methodologies. The author aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of pictographs, exploring their cultural context, the materials used, and how they relate to Indigenous languages and practices. The opening of the text consists primarily of prefatory materials, including a letter of transmittal and an introduction that situates the work within the broader context of the investigations conducted by the Bureau of Ethnology during the fiscal year of 1888-89. It outlines the organizational structure of the report and acknowledges contributions from various individuals involved in anthropological fieldwork and studies related to pictography. Mallery’s work follows earlier publications and aims to deepen the understanding of pictographs and signs, laying a foundation for further exploration of this unique form of communication among Native American cultures.