This is the first English-language study and catalog detailing ethnographic work and material collections of the indigenous populations done by early Russian travelers to California.

FOREWORD by Stephen D. Watrous EDITOR'S PREFACE, Thomas Blackburn ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 1. Introduction: The Kunstkamera's California Collection 2. Documenting A Collection: The Collectors And Their Objects 3. A Superb Collector Visits California: Il'ia G. Voznesenskii 4. Describing A People: The Russians As California Ethnographers 5. Objects Of The Quest: Hunting And Gathering Equipment Hunting: Model Tule Boat, Hair Rope, Deer Decoy Headdresses, Bows, Arrows, Arrow Quiver?, Net Bag Gathering: Seed Beater, Burden Baskets, Carrying Nets, 6. Objects Of Home And Hearth: Food Preparation And Shelter Food Preparation/Serving: Winnowing Trays, Sifting Tray, Mortar and Pestle, Hopper Basket, Basket Trays, Basket Bowl, Seed Cake, Household: Firemaking Kit, Woven Mats, Feather Blankets, Storage Jar 7. Interacting With the Supernatural: Ritual Dress Headwear: Flicker-Quill Headbands, Feather Topknots, Hairnets, Hairpins Bodywear: Women's Skirts, Feather Cape, Kukshui Cloak, Mollok Cloak, Clamshell Belt, Feather Belts, Feather Band Ornaments: Ear Rods, Ear Pendants, Necklaces, Feather Rope 8. Objects For Ceremonial Occasions: Music, Gifts, And Games Music: Gourd Rattle, Bird-Bone Whistles Gifts: Fancy Baskets Games: Gaming Bones 9. AFTERWORD: THE BICENTENARY AND BEYOND, Glenn J. Farris APPENDIX BIBLIOGRAPHY INDEX ABOUT THE AUTHORS