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. Younger robbed trains and banks and murdered policemen and civilians from at least 1868 until Sept. 7, 1876. On that day, the James-Younger Gang tried to rob the First National Bank in Northfield, Minnesota.

This extraordinary typed manuscript for Dodge City, The Cowboy Capital about Western lawman Bat Masterson, with a total of four handwritten corrections by him, including his very rare full signature. It was written by Robert M. Wright, former mayor of Dodge City, Kansas, and sent to Masterson, a former deputy in Dodge City, for his review. Annotated typed manuscript signed "William Barclay (Bat) Masterson". Black ink and lead pencil notations in unknown hand. 6 pages, 8½x11, bound with a needle at top edge. There are a total of four corrections on the first page. The first is Masterson's signature, correcting the title "W.B. Masterson (Bat)". He also corrected the initials "W.B." in the first sentence with "William Barclay". The other two corrections pertain to his candidacy for sheriff of Ford County, Kansas, which included Dodge City. He crossed out the "6" in "1876" and corrected it with "7".  This extraordinary document is a short biography of Masterson written by Robert M. Wright for his book Dodge City, The Cowboy Capital (1913). Wright, a former mayor of Dodge City, Kansas sent this manuscript to Masterson, a former deputy in Dodge City, for his review.

Lindbergh's driver's license application signed by him twice and notarized, only three months before the kidnapping of his infant son. In the year after the kidnapping, with the baby found dead but no suspect yet apprehended, the New Jersey Motor Vehicles Commissioner (and future Governor) Harold Hoffman sent this application to a radio station which was closely following the case. Hoffman, later unmasked as a criminal himself, meddled extensively in the kidnapping case. Document signed twice: "C. A. Lindbergh", 2 pages (front and verso), 3¾x5. Mercer County, New Jersey, 1931 December 29. New Jersey Automobile Driver's Renewal Application, filled out by Lindbergh himself, giving his address (Hopewell, New Jersey) and physical description. He gives New York City as his place of (self) employment, and attests that he has never had his license revoked or suspended, nor had he been refused a license. Signed and attested as truthful by Lindbergh on verso and notarized by "Edward R. Whitehead". Light vertical crease at center (not affecting signatures). Signatures slightly smudged (still legible). Lightly worn at edges. Otherwise, fine condition. Accompanied by 1 page Typed Letter signed: "Harold G. Hoffman" as Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. Trenton, New Jersey, 1933 January 26.

The legendary sheriff who gunned down Billy the Kid signed this typed letter regarding a transfer of money Typed Letter Signed: "P. F. Garrett, Sheriff". 8½x6¼. Dated August 16, 1900. One page. In Full: "For value received, I hereby transfer…to Mr. S. Spitz of Santa Fe New Mexico, my account against the Territory of New Mexico for Fifty Dollars…for Requisition issued by the Governor of the Territory of New Mexico."  Accompanied by a mailing envelope addressed to Garrett. Patrick Garrett (1850-1908) lived a fairly long life despite his proclivity for gunfights and maintaining the law. After being elected to Sheriff in Lincoln County, New Mexico in November of 1880, Garrett engaged in a nine-month chase to hunt down Billy the Kid, even crossing county lines. He shot and killed the criminal on July 15, 1881. Garrett published a book about Billy the Kid and his unlawful lifestyle, making him out to be a ruffian. Other sources mythicized Billy the Kid, and this latter point-of-view generally won the day despite Garrett's best efforts. Following this lawful murder, Garrett became a Texas Ranger and continued to engage in law enforcement activities until 1901, when he was appointed the Collector of Customs in El Paso.

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'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.

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.…"

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 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.

The female aviator and dozens of authors signed this sheet of paper that's framed! 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.

At his Burton Mine, Louisiana Territory, Austin co-signs the promissory note of Joseph Whittlesey. Promissory Note signed: "Moses Austin", Jos. Whittlesey", a page, 8x5¼. Mine au Burton [Louisiana Territory], 1806 October 24. Moses co-signs a $70 promissory note for Joseph T. Whittlesey, on a sum borrowed from John Baker: "On condition Mr. Whittlesey should not be capable to pay the above I will on the condition pay the sum of Seventy Dollars." MOSES AUSTIN (1761-1821), the father of Texas pioneer Stephen F. Austin, was known as "the Lead King" of southwestern Virginia, where he owned mines and production facilities to make buckshot and other lead products. His business failed, and in 1798 Austin and his family moved to what is now Missouri, then Spanish territory. (Austin had purchased the land from Spain, but when he signed this note it was actually in French territory under a secret Franco-Spanish treaty, soon to be acquired by the United States in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803). Mine au Burton (named for Francis Burton, who had discovered the lode in1763) was the first of 10 mines Austin opened in what would become Missouri, near the town of St. Genevieve, on the Mississippi.…"

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.

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. I was too sick to read the articles at that time but you will not find any of that two-gun bunk, shooting from the hip or gun faning, any where in "When The Daltons Rode.