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...

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. read more...

ANNIE OAKLEY This wonderful note from the Carolina Hotel in Pinehurst, North Carolina was signed "Congratulations" by Oakley and includes a 1919 penny shot by her during one of performances - proof that Oakley really was that good. Items signed by Oakley are extremely rare, and the targets that she used in her performances are even more so, making this combination an extraordinary find by any measure. Autograph sentiment signed "Congratulations/Annie Oakley". 5x6¼, on stationery from the Carolina Hotel in Pinehurst, North Carolina with colored cachet near top edge, 1 sheet folded. This note has a 1919 Lincoln head penny tied to it with twine. What makes this penny extraordinary is that it's been bent by a small-caliber bullet impact on its left edge. The crater still has a trace of lead and is consistent with that caused by a .22 bullet, the caliber that Oakley used in her performances. The note itself is also significant, as Oakley was hired by the Carolina Hotel (now the Pinehurst Resort, in Pinehurst, North Carolina) to teach and demonstrate shooting in the mid-1910s. read more...

PAT GARRETT "The man who killed Billy the Kid" endorses a candidate running for governor of the New Mexico Territory. Extremely rare and highly desirable! Typed Letter Signed: "P. H. Garrett/The man who killed Billy the Kid," 1 page, 8½x11. Santa Fe, New Mexico April 1st, 1897. Typed on the letterhead of W.T. Horton, Governor of the Territory of New Mexico, Executive Department. To Hon. George H. Wallace, in full: "If the enclosed letter is of any service to you please accept the same with my best wishes that you may be speedily appointed. I know whereof I speak when I say that New Mexico will continue to need as her chief executive a man who will uphold the law and discharge his duty without fear or favor, and I believe I make no mistake in in giving you my qualified indorsement. Very truly yours." Garrett (1850-1908) is best known for killing the outlaw Billy the Kid. Garrett was elected sheriff of Lincoln County, New Mexico in 1880. As Sheriff, he captured his onetime friend Billy the Kid, who had been accused of murder. The Kid killed two guards and escaped from jail just before he was to be hanged. 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...

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...

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...

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...

PAT GARRETT A year after he gunned down fugitive Billy the Kid, Sheriff Garrett brings another man to justice, charged with keeping his saloon open on Sunday! Autograph Endorsement signed: "Pat F. Garrett, Sheriff", on verso of an 8½x7 arrest warrant. Territory of New Mexico, 1882 October 24. Responding to a warrant ordering the arrest of Benjamin H. Ellis "to answer unto an Information for violating Sunday Laws." Garrett replies, in full: "I hereby certify that I served the within writ by arresting the body of the within named Ben H. Ellis and producing said body in court. [signature] Fee for service, commitment, return $2.50". Accompanied by document enumerating the charges, signed "S. B. Newcomb" as District Attorney. The accused, Ellis, is charged with keeping his saloon open on Sunday, and selling liquor, cigars and other merchandise to diverse persons. Also accompanied by unsigned postcard in an Old West Collectors Series, featuring a photo of Garrett. read more...