WILLIAM BARCLAY "BAT" MASTERSON Rare, 1914 typed letter signed by the Western lawman on New York Morning Telegraph letterhead signed by the Western lawman while he was a sports writer at the paper. It's addressed to Robert M. Wright, author of Dodge City, The Cowboy Capital and laments the sale of Wright's "meritorious volume". With three typed manuscript pages from Wright's book on the murder of Masterson's brother Ed. Typed letter signed "W. B. Masterson" in purple ink. 1 page, 8½x11, on letterhead of the New York Morning Telegraph. Feb. 4, 1914. Addressed to the Honorable R. N. Wright, Dodge City, Kansas. In full: "My dear Bob:- I got your letter yesterday and hasten to reply for fear I'll forget it as I find it is quite easy for me to forget things now. I am indeed sorry that the book doesn't sell more readily than it does for it really is a meritorious volume. I will call Mr. Price's attention to what you say regarding his writing from time to time stories from the book and believe as you do that will help its sale immensely.
WILLIAM F. CODY ("BUFFALO BILL") Signed photo and photo mount both as W.F. Cody and Buffalo Bill. Photograph Mount inscribed and signed: "W.F. Cody/'Buffalo Bill'/To Ormsby Trench/1903". B/w, 7x9 overall, image 3¾x5½ (two surfaces). Photo by Marceau Studios, 258 Fifth Avenue, New York. William Frederick Cody earned the name "Buffalo Bill" for killing thousands of buffalo as a hired hunter in 1867 and 1868. Cody's theatrical career was launched in 1872 with re-enactments of Indian battles. By 1883, he formed his first Wild West spectacle, becoming a master showman. Vintage mount is lightly foxed, soiled and slightly stained with some wear at edges. Photo is lightly soiled and slightly foxed. Signature and inscription in fine condition. 
ANNIE OAKLEY Out of character but not out of extravagance, the "sure-shot" poses in an extraordinary "Indian Princess" garb, hand-made with the feathers of her prized kills for a Valentine's Day Masquerade. Winning the costume contest that night, Oakley again demonstrates versatility and creative ingenuity, and this rare and exclusive photo captures it all. Signed and dated in her script, with pencil note in her hand on verso. This whimsical photo, not shot for publicity, was probably gifted to a family member or dear friend. Extremely Rare! Photograph signed in ink: "Annie Oakley 1919", and in pencil on verso: "Pinehurst 1919". Sepia, 3½x6. Shown in elaborate Indian costume with feathered head dress, gazing at the horizon. 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 OAKLEY Rare, signed, sepia-toned photograph of Annie Oakley holding a double-barreled shotgun in a gloved hand. Materials signed by Oakley are extremely rare and desirable! Photograph mount signed "Annie. Oakley.". B/w sepia-toned, 3¾x5½ photo mounted on a 4¼x6½ card with rounded edges. Cabinet card photograph by Baker's Art Gallery, Columbus, Ohio. 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.
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".
FRANK JAMES Extremely rare autograph letter written by Western outlaw Frank James to his wife and son from an Alabama jail (1884), discussing the hardships of imprisonment, his feelings of betrayal by "my pretended friends", and family attendance at his coming trial. Contained in a 9x14½ brown leather folio with a b/w photo of James. Autograph and signed material by James is extremely rare and highly desirable! Rare autograph letter signed "Frank James". 2 pages, 8½x14, 1 sheet, front and verso, ruled paper. Comes in a 9x14½ (27x28¼ unfolded) brown leather folio with a 5¼x6¼ b/w photo of James and a Charles Hamilton letter of authentication. Dated: Mar. 12, 1884. James wrote this letter to his wife and son after surrendering and awaiting trial for bank robbery. "My Dear Wife and Robert... I am truly in hope I may not be ill any more while in jail at least... the only money I spend is for stamps and tobacco... As I write it rains and the heavy peals of thunder and vivid flashes of lightning very nearly raises me out of my chair... I have scarcely any fire and think I will let it die...
ANNIE OAKLEY Check signed with her married name, Annie Butler, filled out by her to her grand-daughter (by adoption), with an additional note in Annie's hand on verso. Check signed: "Annie Butler", 6½x2¾. Newark, New Jersey, 1923 June 15. Check #135, drawn on the Newark & Essex Banking Co. payable to Elizabeth Hall for $50. Endorsed ""Elizabeth Hall". Handwritten note in Oakley's hand on verso: "Board to F. E. Butlers Grand Daughter. 22 Weikel Ave. Merchantville, N. J. Known as Niece". 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.
TWO GUNS WHITE CALF 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.
WILLIAM F. CODY, JAMES LONGSTREET and others Signatures of Cody, Longstreet and other prominent Chicagoans of the era, collected on both sides of a 6x4 sheet in 1899. Signatures on both sides of a 6x4 sheet: "W.F. Cody / 'Buffalo Bill'", "Nate Salsbury", "John M. Burke /'Arizona John'", and "Allison Nailor, Jr.". Dated in unknown hand at left: "April 20, 1899." On verso: "Yours Truly/James Longstreet/July 15 '99" and "Ferdinand W. Peck". Fine condition. Framed to an overall size of 40x20. William Frederick Cody earned the name "Buffalo Bill" for killing thousands of buffalo as a hired hunter in 1867 and 1868. Cody had begun his wild west career herding cattle at age nine. Five years later, he became the Pony Express' youngest rider. Throughout the Civil War, Cody worked as a government scout, extracting from life and the West all it had to offer. His western notoriety grew with his adventures, including those during the Sioux War, in which he purportedly fought a duel with Chief Yellow Hand.
RAIN IN THE FACE 4x8 broadside containing Longfellow's famous poem, "The Revenge of Rain-in-the-Face," signed by the Sioux warrior at the World Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893 Broadside signed in pencil: "Rain in the Face", 1 page, 4x8, Affixed with clear tape to 5¾ x 9¾ book paper. Printed text of "The Revenge of Rain-in-the-Face," an 8-stanza poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Additional printed text at bottom: "'Rain-In-The-Face' is now on exhibition at the Sitting Bull Log Cabin Exhibit on Midway Plaisance next to Military Camp, World's Fair Grounds." Lakota Sioux war chieftain Rain in the Face (1835-1905) was already a veteran warrior of battles with other Native American nations, including the Cheyenne when he battled US troops for the first time in a raid against Fort Totten, in what is now North Dakota, in 1866. Arrested by Captain Thomas Custer in 1874 on the orders of GeneralGeorge Armstrong Custer (Thomas' brother) on murder charges, Rain in the Face escaped, and joined Sitting Bull's war band before the Battle of the Little Big Horn (June 25, 1876). Surviving details of that battle, which annihilated Custer's 7th Cavalry troopers, are conflicting.
JOHN WESLEY HARDIN While awaiting a hearing to appeal his conviction in the murder of Deputy Sheriff Charles Webb, the twenty-two year-old gunslinger writes his uncle and Cousin Mat. Excessively rare, spectacular content autograph letter signed twice "J. W. Hardin", 4p. 8vo. 5x8, [Jail in Austin, Texas], Feb. 21, 1875. In part: "...[original spellings retained]I now Seat myself to write you a few lines to let you know that I am injoying Good health through the Blessing of the all ruling power above. I am Doing as well as could be expected. Am Still being treated well by my Keepers. They are very kind & and attentive to me although there has been many (lies) told to them on the out-Side as well as the in Side (even, by men that some would deem my friends) Some of whom would like to Lay there crimes on me...my Load is heavier enough without being made a Scape goat for others to ride of on. It is true that I am convicted for 25 yr but nevertheless I have never took that which I could not Give without first being in emminent danger. but you Bet I have always tried to protect my life and person when imposed on.
WILLIAM BARCLAY "BAT" MASTERSON 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.
EMMETT DALTON 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.
PHILIP SHERIDAN The former Civil War Union general accepts the invitation of Ohio Senator John Sherman to act as Marshal for the Ceremonies at the dedication of the Washington Monument. Manuscript LS: "P.H. Sheridan" as Lieutenant General, 1½p, 7½ x 9¾ lined sheet, front and verso (hinged to show both sides of letter). Washington, D.C., 1884 December 12. On letterhead of Headquarters, Army of the United States to Hon. John Sherman, U.S. Senate.Begins: "My dear Sir". In full: "I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of December 11th. communicating the resolution unanimously adopted by the Commission, inviting me to 'act as Marshal on the day of the ceremonies, to arrange the details of the procession and assign to the different organizations their places in the line.' Accepting with pleasure the duty thus assigned me, I beg that you will convey to the commission my high appreciation of the distinguished honor conferred upon me.
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.
EMMETT DALTON The only surviving Dalton Gang member writes a letter to a publisher regarding facts surrounding his supposed shooting from the hip and the use of two guns. Typed letter signed: "Emmett Dalton", black ink, 1p, 8½ x 11. Hollywood, California, June 15, 1935. To Mr. C.W. Mowre/Dell Publications/New York City. In full: "Dear Mr. Mowre:/Thank you for the two all western magazines you sent me last week. You certainly gave me a large spriad (sic) this time. Its all appreciated if you never get paid. "Chuch" told me that you had sent him a fan letter, last issue, giving me the devil for saying the Pine Pinyons were on the Salt River, etc. Then, last week Mr. McBride, who works on the L.A. Times here called my hand for saying in the last all western about faning a gun, shooting from the hip and the two-gun man. He said "I thought you claimed there was never such a man as that." Of course, he was a very good friend of mine and I very easily talked him out of "When The Daltons Rode" and told him to use it as a reference.
EDWARD Z.C. JUDSON (NED BUNTLINE) The 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).
ARCHIBALD McLEOD and OTHERS. 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. & PIERRE DE ROCHEBLAVE, A N McLeod Esquire here present and accepting, upon their first requisition, to depart from Montreal in the capacity of Bowman in one of their canoes, to make the voyage, and to winter during three years in the dependencies of the North-West in the Upper-Canada, (will not be free of the present commitment until 
AMELIA EARHART A signed card and piece of fabric from Earhart's original Lockheed Vega 5B. Collection comprised of: 1.) Card signed “Amelia Earhart”. 3½ x 1½, toned. Small smudge at “t”. Fine condition. 2.) Fabric tile, 2 inches x 2 inches affixed to a 13x18 poster. This swatch of fabric is from the original Lockheed Vega 5B flown by Amelia Earhart when she became the first women to make a nonstop solo flight across the Atlantic (May 20-21, 1932). Earhart made the 3260-kilometer flight from Harbor Grace, newfoundland to Culmore, Londonderry, Northern Ireland in 14 hours 54 minutes. On August 24-25, 1932, in the same Vegas, Earhart flew from Loas Angeles, California to Newark New Jersey covering the 3940 kilometers in 19 hours 5 minutes. This was the first solo nonstop transcontinental flight by a woman. The Lockheed Vegas is now part of the collection of the National Air and Space Museum. Earhart established other aviation records that did not include "woman", such as first Hawaii-to-mainland solo and first Mexico City-to-New York flight (both 1935). In 1937, Earhart was lost over the Pacific in an attempted around-the-world flight. Framed to an overall size of 28¾ x 26¼.
ANNIE OAKLEY Elegant studio photo in high-necked embroidered blouse inscribed on the original mount and affixed to the photographer's original 12x8 folio Photograph Mount Inscribed and signed: "For Mr. Thompson/With all good wishes/From/Annie Oakley/1908". Sepia, 3½x5 oval image on a 6x8 mount. Signed in fountain pen on the mount. Photo by Sherman of Newark, New Jersey, housed in a presentation folder 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. In 1901, she was severely injured in a railroad wreck that temporarily paralyzed her.
COLE YOUNGER Rare sepia-toned photo of a middle-aged Younger, one of Quantrill's Raiders during the American Civil War, and a member of the James-Younger gang. Inscribed photograph mount signed "To/W. A. Bell./Yours Truly/Cole Younger". B/w sepia-toned, 4¼x7¼ photo affixed to an 8x12 sheet of brown cardstock. Younger (1844-1916) was one of Quantrill's Raiders, a notorious band of American Civil War guerillas, as well as a member of the James-Younger Gang with Frank and Jesse James. Younger, a Missourian, joined William Quantrill after Union-supported bandits from Kansas killed his father. He participated in Quantrill's raid on Lawrence, Kansas, one of the worst atrocities of the war, in which about 180 people were killed. After the war, Younger became an outlaw with brothers James, John and Robert, later joining the James brothers, who had also been members of Quantrill's Raiders. He may have felt forced into crime; a new state constitution passed after the Civil War severely curtailed the rights of former Confederate sympathizers.
CHARLES A. LINDBERGH and ANN LINDBERGH The original, hand-written note authorizing John Condon to act on their behalf during the 1932 ransom investigation of their kidnapped son! Charles Lindbergh was America's hero. The "Lone Eagle's" intrepid voyage across the Atlantic, in 1927, inspired a public loyalty to Lindbergh that endured long after the flight's successful conclusion. In terms of aviation, Lindbergh did not rest on his laurels following his famed Atlantic crossing. He continued to blaze new airborne trails, often accompanied by his wife, Anne (1906-2001). Lindbergh (1902-1974) was more than just the first man to fly the Atlantic alone. His solo journey captured the imagination of an adoring public on numerous psychological levels. That his quest was bold and daring, and thus resonant with the nation's collective spirit of adventure, is obvious. The consequences of his success were equally clear. Lindbergh was revered as a national hero, given the rank of Colonel in the U.S. Army Air Corps, awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor and the first Distinguished Flying Cross, and immersed in opportunities to leverage his new fame into wealth.
JOHN H. SELMAN 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.
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. Explorers & Western Americana | Lobby Cards
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BEN JOHNSON - LOBBY CARD SIGNED - HFSID 174294BEN JOHNSON The actor is shown in a scene from the 1975 film Bite the Bullet on this 14x11 lobby card. Lobby Card signed: "Ben Johnson". Color, 14x11. Lobby card showing the actor in a scene from Bite the Bullet (1975). The winner of theSale Price $252.00
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BEN JOHNSON - LOBBY CARD SIGNED - HFSID 174297BEN JOHNSON The actor is shown in a scene from the 1958 film Fort Bowie in this 14x11 lobby card. Lobby Card signed: "Ben Johnson". Color, 14x11. Movie still from Fort Bowie (1958). The winner of the 1971 Academy Award and Golden Globe
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BEN JOHNSON - LOBBY CARD SIGNED - HFSID 174430BEN JOHNSON The actor is shown in a scene from the 1971 film The Last Picture Show in this 14x11 lobby card. Lobby Card signed: "Ben Johnson". B/w, 14x11. Movie still from the filmThe Last Picture Show, © 1971, Columbia Pictures.
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