William F. Cody Autographs, Memorabilia & Collectibles
WILLIAM F. CODY
Born: February 26, 1846 in Scott County, Iowa
Died: January 10, 1917 in Denver, Colorado
Died: January 10, 1917 in Denver, Colorado
William Frederick Cody (1846-1917) earned the name "Buffalo Bill" for killing thousands of buffalo as a hired hunter in 1867 and 1868. Cody began his Wild West career herding cattle at age nine. Five years later, he became the Pony Express' youngest rider. Throughout the Civil War, Cody worked as a government scout, extracting from life and the West all that it had to offer. His western notoriety grew with his adventures, including those during the Sioux War, in which he purportedly fought a duel with Chief Yellow Hand. Cody's theatrical career was launched that same year with his re-enactments of such Indian battles. By 1883, he formed his first Wild West spectacle, becoming a master showman who toured internationally until 1903. In 1908, Cody teamed up with his old rival, "Pawnee Bill" Lillie for a combined "two Bills" show. Lillie called his show "Far East" because it included Japanese and Arab performers, as well as Western Americana. (Adopting the honorary rank of Colonel for himself, Cody addresses Lillie by the lower rank of Major.) In 1913, financial circumstances forced Cody to sell his own show and join the Sells Floto show.
1914-The-Indian-Wars (Producer), 1917-The-Buffalo-Bill-Show (Other), 1914-The-Indian-Wars (in person), 1900-Buffalo-Bill's-Show-Parade (in person), 1900-Buffalo-Bill's-Wild-West-Show (in person), 1894-Buffalo-Bill (in person), 2011-2012-60-Minutes (Other), 1980-Hollywood (Other), 1910-Buffalo-Bill's-Wild-West-and-Pawnee-Bill's-Far-East (in person), 2006-2011-The-American-Experience (Other), 1898-Parade-of-Buffalo-Bill's-Wild-West-Show,-No.-2 (in person), 2011-Diana-Vreeland:-The-Eye-Has-to-Travel (Other), 1930-The-Indians-Are-Coming (Writer), 1915-The-Circus-Girl's-Romance (in person), 1912-The-Life-of-Buffalo-Bill (in person), 1902-Buffalo-Bill's-Wild-West-Show (in person), 1900/II-Buffalo-Bill's-Wild-West-Parade (in person), 1898-Indian-War-Council (in person), 1897-Buffalo-Bill-and-Escort (in person), 2003-Arena (Writer), 1931-Battling-with-Buffalo-Bill (Writer), 1926-Fighting-with-Buffalo-Bill (Writer), 1914-Sitting-Bull:-The-Hostile-Sioux-Indian-Chief (in person), 1913-The-Wild-West-Comes-to-Town (in person), 1901-Buffalo-Bill's-Wild-West-Parade (in person), 1900/I-Buffalo-Bill's-Wild-West-Parade (in person), 1950-Fifty-Years-Before-Your-Eyes (Other), 1909-Les-aventures-de-Buffalo-Bill (Writer), 1909-Les-aventures-de-Buffalo-Bill (Producer), 1914-The-Adventures-of-Buffalo-Bill (Producer), 1914-The-Adventures-of-Buffalo-Bill (Other), 1914-The-Adventures-of-Buffalo-Bill (Performer), 1914-The-Adventures-of-Buffalo-Bill (in person), 1917-The-Adventures-of-Buffalo-Bill (in person), 1903-Buffalo-Bill's-Parade (in person), 1903-Buffalo-Bill's-Street-Parade (in person), 1898-Parade-of-Buffalo-Bill's-Wild-West-Show,-No.-1 (in person), 2008-Red-and-White:-Gone-with-the-West (Other), 1995-Biography (Other)
Theater Credits
The-Man-Who-Owns-Broadway - Performer (October 11, 1909 - January 29, 1910)
Style
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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".Sale Price $2,040.00
$2,400.00
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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.Sale Price $3,200.00
$4,000.00
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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 showSale Price $2,975.00
$3,500.00
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Handwritten letter to former rival - now partner - Pawnee Bill Lillie - outlining plans for a California tour of their wild west show. "And if all goes well we could clean up a wagon load of money."Sale Price $2,975.00
$3,500.00
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"TAKE HER RIDING SHOOTING & FISHING...." WILLIAM F. CODY (BUFFALO BILL). ALS: "Uncle Will" in pencil, 1p, 8½x11. On "Buffalo Bill's/Wild West" stationery.No place, no year August 8. To Roy (Myers), foreman of his TE Ranch.Sale Price $1,530.00
$1,800.00
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BUFFALO BILL TELLS HIS RANCH FOREMAN HIS "LADY PRESS AGENT WITH THE SHOW" IS COMING TO THE RANCH: "GIVE HER THE BEST GENTLE HORSE YOU HAVE - TAKE HER RIDING SHOOTING FISHING DRIVING WALKING...."Sale Price $2,040.00
$2,400.00
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The man known for his showmanship and scouting skills signed this handwritten letter concerning his financial issues. Various close associates liquidate Cody's assets so that he can pay his creditors.Sale Price $4,250.00
$5,000.00
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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.Sale Price $2,975.00
$3,500.00
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The rider known as "heartless" and who murdered thousands of buffalos pens his signature on this 4¼x2 card. Accompanied with a 3¾x5 black and white photograph of himself!Sale Price $1,700.00
$2,000.00
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WILLIAM F. "BUFFALO BILL" CODY Portrait of the famous Wild West showman with an autograph sentiment affixed underneath Autograph Sentiment signed: "Compliments of W. F. Cody, Buffalo Bill, 1889", in faded black ink, 4½x2½.Sale Price $1,530.00
$1,800.00
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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.Sale Price $4,080.00
$4,800.00
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[WILLIAM F. CODY]. Book, unsigned, 616p, 6x9, hardcover. Heroes of the Plains, Life and Wonderful Adventures of Wild Bill, Buffalo Bill and Exploits of Gen. Custer, Kit Carson, California Joe, Capt Jack, Capt D.L. Payne. White Beaver., by J.W. Buell, Historical Publishing Co., Philadelphia, Pa.Sale Price $342.00
$380.00
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In this rare letter, signed by both William Frederick "Buffalo Bill" Cody and Gordon W. "Pawnee Bill" Lillie, the two Wild West entertainers negotiate printing costs with their printing company for the 1914 season. This letter was probably written in 1913, because their show, Buffalo Bill's Wild West and Pawnee Bill's Far East, didn't survive into 1914. A rare look at the business workings of one of the most successful touring shows of all time!Sale Price $1,530.00
$1,800.00
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Extremely rare document signed by William Frederick "Buffalo Bill" Cody and his wife Louisa Cody. They signed a $1,000 interest note on a mortgage on their winter home, Scout's Rest Ranch in North Platte, Nebraska. Documents signed by both William Cody and his wife of over 50 years are incredibly rare and highly desirable!Sale Price $1,700.00
$2,000.00
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WILLIAM F. "BUFFALO BILL" CODY 6¾x9 black and white photograph mount with an exceptional quality image of the western icon, signed "W.F Cody, 'Buffalo Bill'" Inscribed Photograph Mount signed: "W.F Cody,/"Buffalo Bill"/To- W.S.Sale Price $3,400.00
$4,000.00
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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).Sale Price $2,800.00
$3,500.00
