Charles E. Boles Autographs, Memorabilia & Collectibles

Charles E. Boles, also known as Black Bart, was a notorious American outlaw in the late 19th century. Born in Norfolk, England, in 1829, Boles immigrated to the United States at a young age. His exact date of death is unknown but is thought to have occurred around 1888.

Boles is best known for his career as a stagecoach robber in the Western United States, during which he adopted the alias "Black Bart." This name was derived from a character in a popular dime novel of the time. Despite his criminal endeavors, Black Bart was noted for his courtesy during his heists, often engaging in polite conversation with his victims. This unusual behavior, combined with his habit of leaving behind poetic verses at the scene, garnered him much attention and notoriety.

Between 1875 and 1883, Black Bart carried out 28 robberies, mostly targeting Wells Fargo stagecoaches in Northern California and Southern Oregon. Remarkably, he conducted these heists without ever firing a shot, later admitting that his shotgun was always unloaded. In 1883, Boles was captured following a botched robbery and sentenced to six years in San Quentin Prison, though he was released early for good behavior. After his release in 1888, he disappeared and was never seen again, sparking numerous legends and speculations about his fate. Boles' life and exploits as Black Bart have been immortalized in several films and books, cementing his place in the folklore of the American Wild West.