ANNIE OAKLEY Carte de visite signed by Oakley for friend Ed Goodman, Buffalo Bill's nephew, who was part of the Wild West show Photograph signed: "Annie Oakley". Sepia, 4½x6½ carte de visite. Annie 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. In 1901, she and her husband decided to retire from public life. However, shooting was in her blood, and the Butlers continued to make appearances around the country. read more...

FRANK JAMES From Gallatin, Missouri, while awaiting trial for murder and armed robbery, James handwrote this remarkable and very affectionate 20-page letter to his wife, even quoting Shakespeare. This rich content letter includes references to some of James' friends and former partners Ebenezer Magoffin, and Bill and Frank Gregg. Curiously, James signs with the alias he used as an outlaw, "Ben". Autograph Letter signed: "Your true husband/Ben", 20 pages, 5x8. Castle St James [Gallatin, Missouri], July, circa 1883. A loving letter from Frank James to his wife, on his affection for her and recent happenings. In full: "My dear wife: Do you know your letter of last Sunday was the most interesting communication I have had from you since you left me. I think you are awakening to the fact that I love you much more than a "little bit" as you express it. Let me whisper to you right now that I feel a hundred times better since you have written as you have. How kind and good you can be when you want to. I have felt very much like spanking you several times of late, when you would say for instance "I sometimes believe you do love me a little bit". 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...

CHARLES A. LINDBERGH "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. read more...

WILLIAM F. CODY: BUFFALO BILL 4¼x6½ cabinet card photo, signed both as W.F. Cody and as Buffalo Bill Cabinet Card Photograph signed: "W.F. Cody/'Buffalo Bill'". B/w, 4¼x6½. Superb portrait of William F. Cody with his desirable double signature. Photographer's imprint, "Gessford/238 Fifth Ave./N.Y.", at lower mount. William Frederick Cody (1846-1917) was a rider for the Pony Express in 1860, a scout for the Kansas Cavalry against the Indians (1863) and served in the U.S. Army in the Civil War (1863-1865). From 1867-1868, he furnished buffalo meat for the Union Pacific Railroad construction crews, earning his nickname, "Buffalo Bill". Cody was a scout for the 5th U.S. Cavalry from 1868-1872 and in 1876. From 1872-1883, he was on stage as an actor at first in E.Z.C. Judson's play, Scouts of the Plains. He organized Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show in 1883 and toured the United States and Europe successfully for over 30 years. Fine condition. read more...

PAT GARRETT Letter to his wife about their old ranch in Roswell, New Mexico; with envelope incorporating a second signature. ALS: "P.F. Garrett", 3p, 6x8½. Roswell, N.M., 1893 July 16. To his wife. In full: "This is Sunday evening. I got here Thursday and find this country dryer than I ever saw it. Everything looks bad. The cattle are dieing (sic) and everything has a desolate appearance. I went out to our old place this morning. It looks about as it did when we left except the cotton-woods have grown considerable, the grape vine (sic) are loaded with grapes and look well but the Peach trees look bad several have died. I find the Horses in bad shape. Garvey has sold and stole them so that there are not a great many left. I will begin to gather them tomorrow and am going to sell for some price. I intend to close out all we have here. So I will never have to come to this country again. I cant tell yet when I will get home. Write me at once and let me know how you all are getting along. If you had come with me this trip you would never want to see this country again. Mr. Coburn died yesterday and was buried this morning. read more...

"BUFFALO BILL" CODY Handwritten letter to former rival - now partner - Pawnee Bill Lillie -  outlining plans for a California tour of their wild west show. "And if all goes well we could clean up a wagon load of money." Autograph Letter signed: "Col.", 1 page, 8½x11. Saco, Maine, May 30 (circa 1908). On letterhead of Buffalo Bill's Wild West and Pawnee Bill's Far East to "Dear Major" [William Lillie]. In full: "The reason I would not sign up with Craft. They went back on the Contract they had Bacon draw and sent two of their own fixing. You see by the route of Sells Floto that they are playing all of the Country west of the Rockies and North West. And I think we should do it. I think the summer of the Great Panama Fair at San Francisco we could show all that Country. In the Spring three shows. San Francisco July, Aug. Sep. Then Southern Cal. Oct. And if all goes well we could clean up a wagon load of money." William Frederick Cody (1846-1917) earned the name "Buffalo Bill" for killing thousands of buffalo as a hired hunter in 1867 and 1868. read more...

PAT GARRETT While traveling New Orleans in hopes of escaping his tainted reputation as the infamous killer of Billy the Kid, a somber Pat Garrett writes to his wife, "I am so lonesome and blue I wish I had not let you leave me." An Extremely Rare and emotional piece! Autograph Letter Signed: "P. H. Garrett," 3 pages, 5x8. New Orleans, Louisiana. March 11, 1894. To his wife, in full: "I got your letter yesterday with the one from Richard enclosed. The letter from him was about a piece of land I bought from Bill Halloman and don't amount to anything. I went to see Maricio this evening (Sunday) he is doing fine but is very weak is wandering all around the hospital, but the doctor say he had better stay there for a few days, it is so mucky and wet at the track he might get sick again. It has been raining every day since you left here until today we have had a beautiful spring day warm like summer I think the race track will get good now and then I can win a race you may look for Billy home in a few days I have no money to send you wife and am very sorry but can't help. Have Milas to sell the black mare Sis if he can't get more than $50. read more...

FRANK JAMES Awaiting his second trial in a year, the famous outlaw writes to his wife and son, expressing (well founded) optimism about the outcome. Autograph Letter signed: "Frank James", 2 pages, 8½x14. Hand addressed envelope included (toned and torn from opening). Huntsville, Alabama, 1884 February 29. To "My dear Wife and Rob", in full: "This being my lucky day I will write you a brief. Although the situation has not changed materially since I last wrote you I am feeling real well today, much better than for some time. It may be from the fact I got up much earlier than common. I arose this morning before seven, three hours earlier than I usually get up. I had a long conference with General Walker yesterday and you may hear some good news in the next week. I am spending my time as usual. As Rob would say 'the same old thing' each and every day. Tell Rob I heard someone singing his song this morning, 'Goodbye my love, goodbye'. Who do you think I wrote today I bet you can't guess in twenty guesses. See if you can. I will tell you in the last of this who it was. As yet I have not heard from any of my 'Mo' friends. I guess they are waiting until the weather gets warm. I am going to live on eggs from this on. read more...