JOSIE EARP Writing to authorized biographer John Flood, Wyatt Earp's wife insists that "Mr. E. life story is not supposed to be like Billy the Kid or Wild Bill Hickock as he was an officer." Unfortunately, Flood's account, which Wyatt Earp considered the true story of his life, would never get published. Autograph Letter signed: "Mrs. Earp", 2 pages (front and verso), 8x10. Vidal. California, 1927 March 1. To "Dear Mr. Flood", in full: "I wrote to you several days ago. I hope you got my letter, and in the letter I tell you that we had a letter from Mr.[actor and friend William S.] Hart, but I cannot find it. But yesterday I looked for it - again. And I was lucky to find it. I had it put away in a dress pocket. So I am sending it to you today with another one we received yesterday. So you can see just how things stand. I fully intended to write to you and have you write to Wm. if it came back again not to try it again as I am afraid we will not be able to do anything with it. I can't understand why they will not except [sic] it. Of course, as you have said, you are not expert at story writing. And I am no critic. So we know now that there is a mistake somewhere But you can see for yourself what they all think of it. 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...

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 Awaiting his second trial in a year, the famous outlaw writes a loving letter to his 7 year old son Robert ("My Dear Little Man") Autograph Letter signed: "Your Father/Frank James" in pencil, 1 pages, 5½x8½. No place, 1884 February 29. Written in block letters to "My Dear Little Man", in full: "I want you to hurry up and learn to ride so you can get you a new saddle. I want you to learn to write and write me a letter. Addressed in verso to "Robert F. James/at home". This letter was enclosed with a letter James wrote to his wife Annie. Accompanied by printed chart titled "The Deaf and Dumb Alphabet", showing the appropriate hand signals. Notation in Frank James' hand: "For Rob". FRANK JAMES (1843-1915) and his brother Jesse James fought as Confederate guerrillas in Missouri ("Quantrill's Raiders") during the Civil War. They joined Cole Younger and others in 1866 to form a gang led by Jesse, robbing banks and trains. Frank and Jesse survived and escaped the failed Northfield, Minnesota bank heist of 1876, forming a new gang. 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...

WILLIAM F. CODY ("BUFFALO BILL") 4x5 photo of Cody, signed and signed on the 7x9 photo mount in 1903 as both 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. read more...

WILLIAM F. CODY Readying his TE Ranch and stating that his Wild West Show is "doing big". ALS: "Col" with "Cody" in text, 1p, 8¼x11¼. New York, no year April 7. With an original "Buffalo Bill's/Wild West" envelope addressed by Cody to: "Mattie & Eli Jer[?]/TE Ranch/Ishawood/Big Horn Co W[yoming]." Postmarked Owensboro, KY, May 10, 1901. In 1895, Cody began moving cattle to Wyoming. He received a large herd from his friend and hunting companion, Mike Russell. The herd wore the TE brand. Thus Cody named his ranch the TE Ranch. The TE was once rated at 4600 acres, but Cody added other ranches to it and the conglomerate was considered his Big Horn Basin Holdings. He was about 50 when he bought the TE and he considered it a haven from the world. To Mattie & Eli. In full: "The wild west show doing big. Now my dear good friends-the next two months you have got lots to do-hire plenty men-to get the crops in-plow lots of new ground-get in every read more...

WILLIAM F. "BUFFALO BILL" CODY His autograph letter, signed as Cousin Will, asking to be sent "some more headache powders" to relieve the headache caused by his financial woes Autograph Letter signed: "Cousin Will", 1 page, 8x10. New Rochelle, N.Y., no date. To "Dear Frank and Nellie". In full [spelling errors in original]: "I've had a lot of hard upset. Twice I've had moneyed men who were ready to put up a $150,000 to back me with a new show. And that man Tammen has scared them out by telling them he had a contract for my services for 1916 which he hasent. But he still thinks if I cant get out with a show I come back and make more money for him, which will never do. However, I haven't given up. But will stay here until know what I can do. The men are still working at the mines. Say, please send me some more headache powders. This nervous strain makes my head ache. I am living here at Rochelle with my nephew and neice. Its only 45 minutes from New York. Love ever." William Frederick CODY (1846-1917) 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. read more...

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. But she made a sensational comeback in the next two decades. read more...