WILLIAM F. "BUFFALO BILL" CODY - AUTOGRAPH SENTIMENT SIGNED 1889 - HFSID 345621

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. Double-matted and framed with a 9x12½ color portrait to an overall size of 15¾x23½. 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 the age of 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 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. Heavy overall toning. Scattered creasing. Slightly soiled. Contains a few tears, one of which travels from the right edge to the last letter in his name. Otherwise, fine condition. Not framed in Gallery of History style.