ANNIE OAKLEY B/w photograph of Annie Oakley from the chest up in a white blouse and jacket. This photo is especially unusual because it shows her without the rows of shooting medals that she often wore. Anything signed by Oakley is exceedingly rare. Photograph mount signed: "Compliments. of/Annie. Oakley." on verso. B/w, 4¼x6½ overall, image 4x5½ (two surfaces). Photograph by Gray, 1030 Tremont St., Boston (imprint at lower margin). Oakley (1860-1926, born Phoebe Anne Moses in Darke County, Ohio), was born to a Quaker family and began to shoot rabbits and quail at age nine. Within five years, she was a breadwinner for her family as a markswoman, and, at age 15, she saved her family's farm with income she had earned from shooting game. On August 23, 1876, at age 16, Annie 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, where Annie was a star for 17 years. The five-foot-tall Oakley got her name "Little Sure Shot" from Sitting Bull and used it in her promotional materials. read more...

PAT GARRETT "The man who killed Billy the Kid" endorses a candidate running for governor of the New Mexico Territory. Extremely rare and highly desirable! Typed Letter Signed: "P. H. Garrett/The man who killed Billy the Kid," 1 page, 8½x11. Santa Fe, New Mexico April 1st, 1897. Typed on the letterhead of W.T. Horton, Governor of the Territory of New Mexico, Executive Department. To Hon. George H. Wallace, in full: "If the enclosed letter is of any service to you please accept the same with my best wishes that you may be speedily appointed. I know whereof I speak when I say that New Mexico will continue to need as her chief executive a man who will uphold the law and discharge his duty without fear or favor, and I believe I make no mistake in in giving you my qualified indorsement. Very truly yours." Garrett (1850-1908) is best known for killing the outlaw Billy the Kid. Garrett was elected sheriff of Lincoln County, New Mexico in 1880. As Sheriff, he captured his onetime friend Billy the Kid, who had been accused of murder. The Kid killed two guards and escaped from jail just before he was to be hanged. read more...

PAT GARRETT, CO-SIGNED BY: H. B. HOLT, W. B. WALTON On this extremely rare document, western lawman Pat Garrett signed this typed document in 1896 to become a deputy clerk of the Third Judicial District Court. This was signed 20 days before he was appointed sheriff of Doña Ana County, New Mexico. Items signed by Garrett are extremely rare and highly desirable! Document signed "P. H. Garrett" and by "W. B. Walton" as Clerk and "H. B. Holt" as Deputy. Pencil notations at top edge and black ink notations on verso, all in unknown hand. 7¾x6½, with 1¾-inch embossed seal in bottom right corner . July 20, 1896. Document in full: "I, the undersigned, do hereby solemnly swear that I will well and faithfully perform the duties of Deputy Clerk of the Third Judicial District Court, So Help me God." Twenty days after signing this document, Garrett was appointed sheriff of Doña Ana County, New Mexico. One of his first duties was to read more...

EMMETT DALTON The only surviving Dalton Gang member signs this letter regarding his new book and wanting to hang a photo relating to the James Boys in his den, dated 1931 Typed letter signed: "Emmett Dalton", 1p, 8x10. No place, June 19, 1931 . To Marx Reimers, St. Paul, Minnesota. In full: "Thank you very kindly for your letter of June nineteenth, with enclosures. I am sending you an autographed photograph of myself, taken about ten years ago. The story 'West of 96' is published by Doubleday, Doran and Company, Garden City, New York, and is on sale at most all the large book stores and many department stores also. It is published under the title of 'When the Daltons Rode' and is about 80,000 words, illustrated, and much more complete than 'West of 96' which is about half that length. I would be pleased to receive a photo of the arch from which you say the James Boys started, for my private 'Den'. With Kindest regards." Emmett Dalton (1871-1937) and his three brothers led a murderous gang of train robbers, who used a network of informers and hideouts to evade a widespread manhunt. He was the only member of the Dalton Brothers' Gang to survive the 1892 attempt to rob two banks simultaneously in Coffeyville, Kansas. read more...

JOSEPHINE "JOSIE" EARP Rich-content ALS from Wyatt Earp's wife to the man drafting the manuscript of Wyatt's autobiography, warning him that others may try to steal his material. She also fears - correctly - that "Wyatt ... is not long for this world." Autograph Letter signed: "Josie Earp", 3 pages (integral leaf), 6x8 folded, 12x8 open. Also signed "W. Earp" [by Josey] in the envelope return address. Vidal, California, 1925 February 19. To John H. Flood, Jr., Los Angeles. In full: "Your kind and always welcome letter came yesterday. Mr. E and I were very glad to hear from you again. And glad too that you at last got hold of some of the [2 words illegible] and sincerely hope that you will keep on getting it. I am also very happy to know that you have the story [Earp's autobiography] finished at last, for your sake and ours too. I know just how glad you must be to have it all done with, as I know Mr. Flood it has taken up so much of your time. But I think it will pay us well for all of the lost time. And we both wish to thank you for all of the trouble it has caused you. And we surely do appreciate all and everything you have done for us both read more...

WILLIAM F. CODY The famous Wild West showman pens a hopeful letter to his friend, stating "New England was never big for me. But wait till we start west. I predict a big season." The letter was written during the downfall of Cody's show empire due to outside expenses draining the immense profits from his show Autograph letter signed: "Col.", 1 page, 8½x11 framed to an overall size of 25½x18½. Buffalo Bill's Wild West combined with Pawnee Bill's Great Far East. May 29, 1911. Portsmouth, [New Hampshire]. In full: "Dear Mayor Glad Light, Your letter which found me is fine health. We had two bad towns last week. Fitchburg & Newburyport. No one ever done business in either. The week hurt us at least $2000 in Lowell-sent your bank 5100 today to take up one of my notes. Been getting good deposits from the mines. Been getting in shape [illegible] or any one. I believe I'll walk a sale of the [illegible]. Note if good are doing. [illegible]. While I telegraph you for now we are all OK here-now. And barring accident we will be OK. New England was never big for me. But wait till we start west. I predict a big season. read more...

MOSES AUSTIN and MOSES BATES Austin posts bond for his brother-in-law, Moses Bates with Sheriff (later US Senator) Henry Dodge Manuscript Document signed: "Moses Bates", "Moses Austin", 1 page, 7½x12½. Each has hand-drawn his seal to the right of his signature. Ste Genevieve, Missouri, 1812 April 5. Docketed on verso. In full: "Know all Men by these present that we Moses Bates and Moses Austin are held and formerly bound to H. Dodge Sheriff of the District of St. Genevieve in the kind sum of Eight hundred and forty Dollars lawful money of the United States to be paid to the said Dodge or his successor..The condition of the above obligation is such that a capias ad respondendum has Issued from the Court of Common Pleas for the District cop[ie]d at the suit of William C. Carr and Henry Elliott administrator of Earon Elliott deceased on which said suit bail is required for the sum of four hundred and Twenty Dollars and the said Dodge has arrested the said Moses Bates in his capacity as sheriff of the said Bates should be cast in the said suit he will pay read more...

WILLIAM F. 'BUFFALO BILL' CODY The man known for his showmanship and scouting skills signed this handwritten letter concerning his financial issues. Various close associates liquidate Cody's assets so that he can pay his creditors. Autograph Letter Signed: "W. C. Cody" one page both sides, 8.5 x 11, Chicago Shan-Kive and Round-Up letterhead. Dated September 18, 1916. Letter to his attorney Henry Hersey regarding his grim financial situation. In Part: “They can explain this situation to you better than I care for they have not kept me well footed. But if you do not hear from them, I'll write you all I know. First Link got judgement for about $11,800. And sold the Irma hotel and four lots and bid it in him self. I have until Jan. 15th 1917. In which to reclaim the property. There separately he sold the fixtures, paintings, etc - I furnished the money and had W.L. Walls bid them in for me. Then Link advertised and sold a hotel of mine called Pahaska Tepee. I furnished the money and had Walls bid that in for me.” read more...

JOSIE EARP ALS to husband Wyatt's personal secretary, John Flood, who was trying unsuccessfully to write an authorized biography of the famous lawman. Frequent mention of actor William S. Hart ("Bill"), a close friend of Wyatt Earp. Autograph Letter signed: "E", 3 pages (front and verso), 6½x10½. Vidal (California), 1927 March 15. To "Dear Mr. [John] Flood". In full: "Very glad to get your nice letter and clippings. I was just thinking what had happened to you. Well Mr. E. is at camp doing some assessment work, so I am here with my two nieces. Weather windy not very nice for the last two weeks. Lots of surveyors here for the L.A. water. Fill a barn just now. I have never seen so many people here at one time before. Brunnels are very busy. Well, now about our little affair. Will you please call up or write to Bill. Yes I think it is better to write to him. Tell him what I think - what I mean by I, all of us think it just the right thing to do to hold it back until we can get together and talk it over. I am enclosing all letters from the first on Bill wrote us. I wrote and told you I had put them away for safe keeping, but luckily I have found them and am sending them to you. [Items not included. read more...