The Navajo Gamblers
By E. A. Burbank 1858-1949

The original of this painting was done by E. A. Burbank who for fifteen years lived among 125 different tribes of North American Indians, painting their pictures and studying them at close range.  This shows a group of Navajo men playing "Koon Can," a favorite pastime of the Navajo.
This is one of many Burbank paintings in the Hubbell collection.  Between 1897 and 1911, which the pictures date, Burbank spent many months at a time at the Hubbell estate at Ganado.

     This scene was apparently part of a series of cards depicting paintings in the Hubbell Collection, which is likely now affiliated with the Hubbell Trading Post.

     All I have to say is that for a "favorite pastime," this leaves something to be desired.  All of the players and spectators look like they'd rather be undergoing reconstructive dental surgery than playing this game.  The fact that this Navajo pastime is played with manufactured cards is probably also of significance to anthropologists and historians.  -dgs