ANNIE "LITTLE SURE SHOT" OAKLEY - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 01/13/1909 - HFSID 350562

ANNIE OAKLEY
Oakley handwrote, dated and signed this letter to a friend in 1909, describing life on the road as a trick shootist. This letter sheds light on how she viewed the life of a traveling performer.

Autograph Letter signed: "Annie Oakley", 2 pages, 6x9¼. Wilson, North Carolina, 1909 January 13. On letterhead of New Briggs Hotel to "My dear Friend". In full: "I know I am perfectly terrible for neglecting to write and thank you for the beautiful cup & the pretty photo of dear little Verginia [sic]. I surely can appreciate them more than I can tell you. I do hope to see you at Pinehurst. Then we can eat those fine grape fruit for our breakfast. And just have a good old visit. Then you can explain why Mr. McCarty always wins when his little Wife is with him. I gave my first shot yesterday. Had a fine day & about 1500 people, best in Washington. Pouring rain now & it is 11:30 AM. Hope it will clear up. Thanking you again. And with love and every good wish, I am most sincerely." At top of page 2 she has added "for Verginia [sic]", surrounding it with x's. Light spots, mostly on page 1. Otherwise, fine condition. Accompanied by matching envelope (6½x3½) addressed in Oakley's hand to "Mrs. George McCarty/Blackwood/New Jersey", with return address, "160 Broad St./Newark N.J.", postmarked Wilson, North Carolina, January 13, 1909, 2-cent stamp affixed. Ink note (unknown hand) to left of address: "Just yours truly." Slightly soiled. Otherwise, fine condition. ALS and autograph envelope are matted to an overall size of 31x19 with three unsigned items: unsigned reproduction of a photo of Oakley (4½x6½); and 2 black metal plaques engraved in gold letters: one 5x7 plaque with a cursive-style transcript of the letter; the other a 4x6 plaque with the following narrative: "Annie Oakley, 1860-1926 - The Peerless Lady Wing-Shot: Dead-eye marksman Annie Oakley wrote this letter to a friend while on tour in North Carolina. She toured with Buffalo Bill's Wild West show for 17 years before she was nearly killed in a train wreck in 1901. Following her recovery, she began performing in her own show, traveling with her husband Frank Butler, who acted as Oakley's manager and master of ceremonies. Born Phoebe Anne Oakley Mozee, Annie Oakley began shooting game as a child to support her family. At age 15, she won a marksmanship competition, defeating Butler, among others. They toured with circuses for nearly a decade before joining the Buffalo Bill show. Among Oakley's numerous tricks was shooting a hole in a playing card and giving it away as a souvenir. Thereafter, complimentary tickets punched with a hole became known as "Annie Oakley's".  Mrs. George McCarty was the wife of the future head of the American Trapshooters Association. Plaques and photo reproduction are in fine condition. Photo and autograph pieces are inset in matte, with a protective covering of mylar. Framed by the Gallery of History, 37x24½ .