ANNIE OAKLEY Extremely rare signed postcard photo of her dressed as an Indian! Postcard Photograph inscribed and signed: "Annie Oakley as a Sioux/Maiden admires her/new head gear./A Merry Christmas/to Laforrds & Family". Sepia, 5½x3½. 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. The five-foot-tall Oakley got her name "Little Sure Shot" from Lakota Sioux Chief Sitting Bull, who was briefly a part of the show in 1885, and used it in her promotional materials.In 1901, she was severely injured in a railroad wreck that temporarily paralyzed her.
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.
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.
ANNIE OAKLEY This 4¼x6½ cabinet card is a rare signed 3¾x5½ sepia-toned sitting portrait 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.
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.
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.
COLE YOUNGER Plains Indian "peace pipe", an heirloom given by Younger to his close friend Harry Hoffman, who attended Cole at his death bed. This well-used Minnesota red pipestone comes from Hoffman's collection, with a notarized statement signed by him. Ephemera, unsigned. Catlinite pipestone "peace pipe", each separated piece roughly 8x3½ (due to length of handle), with the much-handled patina of an authentically used pipe (very different from the clean surfaces found on souvenir pipes). This easily worked rock type, drawn from quarries near the Pipestone River in Minnesota, was in use by several Plains Indian nations for making ceremonial pipes. "Catlinite" is a descriptive term applied to the stone since American painter George Catlin wrote about it in 1832. Accompanied by Typed Statement signed: "Harry C. Hoffman", in full: "one Indian peace pipe, given to Harry C. Hoffman by Cole Young", 7¾x4¾. Notarized by Charles Wright at Oxford, Ohio, September 21, 1948. COLE YOUNGER (1844-1916) was a Confederate guerrilla fighting in divided Missouri during the Civil War. Joining the band of William Quantrill, he participated in the bloody raid on Lawrence, Kansas.
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 his kidnapped son! The Lone Eagle 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.
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...
WILLIAM F. CODY Autograph letter to General Nelson Miles (1896), introducing a friend, signed "Your old Scout/W.F. Cody" ALS: "Your old Scout/W.F. Cody", 1 page, 6x9½. New Hampshire House, New York, 1896 January 29. To General Nelson A. Miles, Washington, D.C. In full: "Please permit me to introduce Mr. J.L. Cunningham and (sic, an) old personal friend who wishes to speak to you. If you will give him a hearing. You will greatly oblige." Both NELSON MILES and BILL CODY overlapped in their time of military service during the western campaigns against the Indians. Cody was Chief Scout for the 5th Cavalry and Miles commanded the 5th Infantry. They served under Philip Sheridan. In 1896, the year of this letter, Cody's Wild West Show was extensively touring and he was also developing his land in Cody, Wyoming; while Miles was Commander in Chief of the Army. Great associations, worthy of further research. Lightly creased. ¾-inch separation at upper left blank horizontal fold. 2-inch separation at lower left horizontal fold touches 1 word (all intact).
COLE YOUNGER This rare 4¼x7¼ sepia-toned photo is a bust portrait of Cole Younger, one of Quantrill's Raiders during the American Civil War, and a member of the James-Younger gang. In this portrait, Younger is a middle-aged man wearing a suit and tie. Mounted on an 8x12 sheet of cardstock that's signed "Yours Truly" by Younger. 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.
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.
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.
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 
MOSES AUSTIN He signs a demand promissory note arranging for payment in 142½ pounds of lead. Framed to 10½x8½. Promissory Note signed: "M. Austin", 1 page, 7¼x5¼, affixed to a larger off-white sheet and framed to an overall size of 10½x8½. Mine A Burton, 1802 February 11. In full: "Please pay Mr. Jos. Pratt One Hundred & forty two pounds & half of lead out of the Lead in your hands of mine and this order shall be your Discharge for the same." 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).
SAMUEL COLT Samuel Colt Autograph Letter Signed to Edward Wesson Regarding the Development of a Dragoon Form Revolving Carbine. ALS signed: "Saml. Colt-" on page 1 and "S.C." on page 2. The letter is four integral pages written on pages one and two and addressed on page four, 8" x 9.75", New Haven, Connecticut, April 12, 1847, and postmarked the same day. Very fine condition. Framed by the Gallery of History, 31½x39. Samuel Colt writes asking that Wesson bore and rifle two long barrels that Colt expressed to him that day. Colt explains that "I want them for moddles [sic], & not having as yet any convenience for boring & rifling anything but pistol barrels" he is giving the tooling commission to Wesson. Colt gives specific instructions asking that Wesson make the barrel of one gun to accommodate "a round ball 50 to the pound loading at the britch [sic] & must not be any larger in the bore than the sample pistol barrel I send you." Shortly after this letter was written Colt moved his operations from New Haven to New York and began the production of the Colt Dragoon Revolver.Explorers & Western Americana | Questionaires
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ROBERT BALLARD - QUESTIONNAIRE SIGNED - HFSID 269509ROBERT BALLARD The explorer who uncovered the RMS Lusitania signed this slip of paper that features some questions answered by him Questionnaire signed: "Robert Ballard", 6½x3¾ card. His handwritten responses to a series of printed, personal questions: My favorite animal is "Killer Whale".Sale Price $108.00
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DEAN OLIVER - QUESTIONNAIRE SIGNED - HFSID 289669DEAN OLIVER He fills out and signs a short personal questionnaire card, reporting his love for animals, steaks and country music Questionnaire signed: "Dean Oliver", 7x4. Oliver reports his favorite animal as "all animals & my horses", his favorite food as "steak", his favorite movie as "I have a lot of them.
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