The adventerous author signs "Ned Buntline, Ready for Game" on a photograph of himself holding hunting rifle. Photograph signed: "'Ned Buntline,'/Ready for Game." Sepia, 4¼ x 6¼ overall, image 3¾ x 5¼ (one surface). Studio photograph by Sarony of New York, signed with his penname. A nautical term for the rope at the bottom of a square sail, the name Buntline was adopted from his youthful navy days. Soldier, adventurer, and writer Edward Z.C. Judson (1823-1886) had developed his sensational literary style in the 1840s, when he began submitting exaggerated accounts of his adventures to "Knickerbocker Magazine". Arrested, shot at and even hung once (someone cut the rope), in 1869, Judson "discovered" Western scout William F. Cody, nicknamed him Buffalo Bill and exploited his adventures in books and plays. Earlier, Judson had helped organize the anti-foreign, anti-labor American Party, better known, thanks to Judson, as the Know-Nothing Party (1850-1856). By the 1870s, with hunting and fishing as his primary pastimes, the shooting, wild author of nearly 400 novellas, termed "dime novels", had settled down with his fourth wife in Stamford, New York.

Extremely rare signed postcard photo of her dressed as an Indian! Postcard Photograph inscribed and signed: "Annie Oakley as a Sioux/Maiden admires her/new head gear./A Merry Christmas/to Laforrds & Family". Sepia, 5½x3½. Annie Oakley (1860-1926) was born Phoebe Anne Oakley Mozee in Ohio. She was the sixth of eight children. At the age of nine she began to shoot rabbits and quail and was almost a dead shot from the first. Within five years, she was a breadwinner for her family as a markswoman. In 1876, at age 16, she married Frank Butler, a vaudeville performer who became her partner. Annie's self-effacing personality (on and off stage) made her a popular performer. In 1885, the Butlers joined Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West Show. Annie, a star with the show for 17 years, charmed Kings and Queens. The five-foot-tall Oakley got her name "Little Sure Shot" from Lakota Sioux Chief Sitting Bull, who was briefly a part of the show in 1885, and used it in her promotional materials. In 1901, she was severely injured in a railroad wreck that temporarily paralyzed her. But she made a sensational comeback in the next two decades. She and Butler were childless, but she supported 18 orphan girls. Lightly toned and worn at corners. Otherwise, fine condition.

Rare handwritten letter to his friend Charles Fletcher, smuggled out of the jail by his wife, signed by him in 1883 while he awaited trial for robbery and murder Rare ALS: "Frank" with "Direct to Mrs. Frank James" to left of signature, 1 page, 7¾x10½. In Jail at Gallatin, Missouri, 1883 April 7. To his friend, Charles Fletcher. In part: "I should of written you before this but all my mail had to be inspected by the Sheriff. But as my wife is now with me and can smuggle this through the linens and she can receive letters…hence this letter. I am getting on as well as one could suppose in Jail…You have so proved yourself, I hope you will be so situated as to be able to attend my trial in June. I am expecting to be acquitted if justice prevails I will be undoubtedly. My wife sends kindest regards to you and family. Hoping to hear from you soon…." Frank and Jesse James had been Confederate guerrillas under the leadership of William Quantrill during the Civil War. They joined Cole Younger and others in 1866 and formed a gang of which Jesse was usually regarded as the leader. At first, they specialized in bank robberies, but in 1873 they held up a train.

The former outlaw assigns all rights, including the Dalton name, to his stepdaughter. TLS: "Emmett Dalton", 1p, 6x8. Hollywood, California, 1936 March 9. To his stepdaughter Jennie Gilstrap Perrier, Skiatcok, Oklahoma. In full: "I hope this finds you well and happy. My shoulder is getting worse. Your mother Julia and I borrowed from your oil money when you were young to make my first picture, and also to pay Double Day to print the book When The Daltons Rode. We have never repaid you. I am making assignment of all my rights, title, and interest including the Dalton name, to your mother Julia. This I am giving to you for the money I owe you, upon her passing, and any interest in my brother Frank Dalton's name that I used in the motion picture. There are no other Dalton heirs, and all in perpetuum rights are yours." 2 file holes at upper blank margin. Lightly soiled, light stains at right margin. Overall, fine condition. Accompanied by an unsigned Marriage License and Certificate of Marriage for Emmett Dalton and Julia A. Lewis, 1p, 8½ x 14. Bartlesville, Oklahoma, 1908 September 1. 2 file holes at upper margin. Lightly soiled, else fine condition. With Final Decree from the state of Oklahoma signed by the Judge of the County Court, 1p, 8½ x 14.

"Lucky Lindy" talks about flying Jennies and why he dislikes reunions, ceremonies and dinners. TLS: "Charles", 1p, 8½x11. Germany, 1963 March 19. To Joe. On blue light-weight stationery. In full: "This is an awfully late answer to your January letter. My mail is always hopelessly stacked up, literally, and I have taken taken (sic) some of it abroad with me in the hope of catching up a bit at least with the letters I want most to write. It is really good of you to invite me to the reunion of the 110th Observation Squadron, and I do have a very close feeling toward the Squadron -- I often think of the old days flying 'Jennies' at Lambert Field. But Joe, I think reunions are for those who like them (and may God bless them). To me, reunions are pretty awful; they always detract from qualities of memory which I prefer to leave to the past where I think they belong and have the greatest value. Also, I like to live quietly and to concentrate on my work and interests. I realized, many years ago, that this kind of life was simply not compatible with ceremonies and dinners, for one led to another and there seemed to be no end. With the exception of two in Washington, which came under the 'private' category, and which were more or less unavoidable, it is now close to a decade since I have attended a formal dinner.…"

The criminal signs documents in jail; he later becomes a lawman and kills John Wesley Hardin. Manuscript DS: "J.H. Selman", 1p, 7¾x5¼. Shackelford County, Texas, 1880 September 10. In full: "Personally appeared before me John Selman who on oath says that the allegations in the foregoing petition he believes to be true." Also signed: "W.C. Pace/CDCSC". In full: "Sworn to and Subscribed before me this 10 day of Sept AD 1880." On verso is related unsigned manuscript. In part: "The petition of John Selman would show that petitioner is illegally restrained of his liberty by H.C. Jacobs sheriff of Shackelford County Texas…." Selman lived on both sides of the law. His career included cattle rustling, robbery and murder -- and arresting cattle rustlers, robbers and murderers. Three months before this document was signed, he was arrested in Fort Davis, Texas just two days after his second marriage. His brother and fellow outlaw Tom Cat Selman had been lynched when they were taken into custody, but John was transferred back to Shackleford County for trial. He had lived there several years earlier and had connected with gunfighter John Larn. Together, they rustled cattle and robbed.

Plains Indian "peace pipe", an heirloom given by Younger to his close friend Harry Hoffman, who attended Cole at his death bed. This well-used Minnesota red pipestone comes from Hoffman's collection, with a notarized statement signed by him. Ephemera, unsigned. Catlinite pipestone "peace pipe", each separated piece roughly 8x3½ (due to length of handle), with the much-handled patina of an authentically used pipe (very different from the clean surfaces found on souvenir pipes). This easily worked rock type, drawn from quarries near the Pipestone River in Minnesota, was in use by several Plains Indian nations for making ceremonial pipes. "Catlinite" is a descriptive term applied to the stone since American painter George Catlin wrote about it in 1832. Accompanied by Typed Statement signed: "Harry C. Hoffman", in full: "one Indian peace pipe, given to Harry C. Hoffman by Cole Young", 7¾x4¾. Notarized by Charles Wright at Oxford, Ohio, September 21, 1948. COLE YOUNGER (1844-1916) was a Confederate guerrilla fighting in divided Missouri during the Civil War. Joining the band of William Quantrill, he participated in the bloody raid on Lawrence, Kansas.

Historic Amelia Earhart Hand Signed Document Celebrating Her Famed Atlantic Flight Alongside Literary Greats. Signature: "Amelia M. Earhart", 8½x11 album leaf titled: "Autographs of Authors and Poets visiting The Halle Bros. Co. Book Fair, October 15 to 20, 1928". Complete List of Signers: "Marjorie Barkley McClure", "Edmund Vance Cooke", "Lou Untermeyer", "Edwin Meade Robinson", "Whiting Williams", "Buffalo Child Long Lance", "Robert J. Casey", "Clara E. Laughlin", "Elmer Davis", "Mc Cready Huston", "Meredith Nicholson", "W.B. Seabrook", "Padraic Colum", "Henry Turner Bailey", "Honore Willsie Morrow", "Delia J. Akeley", "Dorothy Aldis", "James Abbott", "Maud Lindsay", "James A. Braden", "Johnny Gruelle", "John Norton Johnson", "Amelia Earhart", "Ellery Walter", "G P Putnam", and four unidentified signatures.

McLeod signs a document detailing the expenses and commitments required of a guide on an upcoming fur trapping trip. Partly Printed DS: "A.N. McLeod", 1p, 6½ x 11¾. Montreal, Canada, 1820 October 20. In French, translated. In full: "BEFORE THE NOTARIES of the Province of Lower-Canada in Montreal, residing there, undersigned: was present Joseph Alexis Jeussaume de Rigaute Who has voluntarily committed himself and commits himself by these presents to Messrs. William McGillivray, Simon McGillivray, Archibald Norman McLeod, Thomas Thain, and Henry Mackenzie, of Montreal, Merchants and associates, under the name of McTAVISH, McGILLIVRAYS & Co.…"

He pens a letter in correspondence to an individual stating they are relatives in which Masterson quickly replies with otherwise! Autograph Letter Signed: "W.B. Masterson". 2 pages, 8x10, loosely placed in 9½x11½ folio. Accompanied by original mailing envelope; heavily toned, soiled and worn. December 31, 1905, New York City, written to "Mr. Watson F. Masterson" of Ramsey, West Virginia. In full: "Dear Sir. Without going into details can assure you that we are not related; even remotely. My father was born in this state eighty years ago and moved to Illinois where I was born fifty one years ago. There are a great many families of Mastersons in Missouri and Iowa none of whom are related to mine. My father had but one brother and he was several years the eldest and has been dead about forty years and died without issue. Very respectfully." Masterson (1853-1921) was an American frontier gambler and buffalo hunter and a scout for the United States Army. Masterson was also a lawman, serving as a deputy in Dodge City, Kansas alongside Wyatt Earp and later sheriff for Ford County, Kansas (1877-1879), as well as town marshal of Trinidad (1881-1882) and later, during the administration of President Theodore Roosevelt, as a U. S.

Rare pictograph painting on buffalo hide by the Blackfoot Indian Chief. Pictograph on buffalo hide. Roughly 12½ x 5½. The Blackfoot Indian Chief painted in pictograph form, events, and scenes from a Plains Indian's point of view. This piece of Buffalo hide, painted on the tanned side, came from a complete hide blanket which retained the “Fur” on one side for warmth and the pictographs on the other side for decoration. Shown among the pieces recovered from the blanket, are scenes of buffaloes and horses, some of which include a “Red Man” to represent the Indian. Pictographs of American Plains Indians are generally very simple in structure and self-explanatory. The use of natural colors represents true symbols, while unnatural colors have a special meaning. The Plains Indians were very graphic and used other forms of picture writing such as in sign language, smoke signals, trail signs, language feathers and blankets. A blanket that was painted or woven with special designs was often an autobiographical account of its creator. Blackfoot Indian Chief Two Guns White Calf (1872-1934) frequently posed for artists and was a popular attraction at Glacier National Park. The park abuts the Indian reservation which was established in 1855 for the southernmost branch of the tribe.

Handwritten letter to friend and would-be biographer John Flood, only months after Wyatt Earp's death. "I am still worrying for my dear husband. I miss him so much." Autograph Letter signed: "Josephine Earp", 3 pages, 6x8 folded, otherwise 12x8. Oakland (California), 1929 September 25. To "Dear Mr. Flood", in full: "I did not mean to be slow to respond to your nice letter. I wanted to wait and see if I could be in Los Angeles in the next ten days but it seems now like I will not be able to get away until about the fifth, or six of Oct. and I know you cannot wait until then. I thank you very much for offering to wait a few days until I could get there. I will see you when I come to Vidal. I have many things that I must attend to before I go to the desert. I hope you are right to the gross or net but different attorneys have told me that you are wrong - we will have to wait and see. That is all that can be done. I am glad you have had a nice vacation and also to know Jarvis is going to make a sale. And I hope you will too. I am feeling much better but I still have a cold. My folks are living on Alexandria Street, but I don't know the number. I think I have the name spelled wrong. There may be such a thing as my leaving here by next Tuesday - but I am not sure.…"