In 1970, three years after he painted his first Indian, Scholder signed a contract to create a series of lithographs at Albuquerque’s Tamarind Institute. He had experimented with lithography in the past with mixed results, and described the process as “laborious and terribly technical.” Under the guidance of Tamarind’s experienced printers, however, Scholder began to enjoy the lithography process. His compositional talents were well-suited to the unique medium of lithography, and his early experiments at Tamarind have become some of his most iconic images.

Just 90 Indians Forever portfolios were completed: 75 numbered impressions, 2 presentation proofs, 2 Tamarind impressions, five roman-numbered impressions, and six artist’s proofs. This is a complete set—number 13 of 75—in its original brown hemp portfolio, which was also carefully selected by Scholder. Exactly how many complete portfolios still exist is unknown.

His initial suite of lithographs, titled “Indians Forever,” included eight images in a portfolio. Each of the eight lithographs are signed by the artist, numbered by the artist, and marked with the Tamarind chop.