A Beautiful Buffalo Bill Cody Signed Oversized Photograph

WILLIAM F. “BUFFALO BILL” CODY (1846-1917). Cody was a legendary Western scout and showman, as well as the originator of the “Wild West Show”. Following the Civil War, Cody was employed by the Goddard Brothers, food contractors to the Kansas Pacific Railway construction camps, to furnish buffalo meat; this is where his nickname came. From 1868 to 1872, Cody scouted for the Army, eventually becoming chief of scouts for the Fifth Cavalry. He was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for gallantry in action on the Platte River in 1872, but this was revoked by Congress in 1917 because Cody was not a member of the military at the time. In 1872 he began his long career as a showman, appearing in numerous “Wild West Shows” in the theatre, at least one with “Wild Bill” Hickok. The formation of his famed “Wild West Show” in 1883 that toured America and Europe has made the name “Buffalo Bill” legendary. PS. 12” x 14”. No place. November 23, 1914. A spectacular and oversized photograph signed “W.F. Cody ‘Buffalo Bill’”. It is inscribed to “Mrs. Dave Shelley” and dated November 23, 1914. David Shelley (1868-1941) opened his Cody, Wyoming saddle shop in 1908 and kept it open until his death. He was known for his selection of Western coats, boot and hats. This photograph may have been inscribed to his wife or daughter. The studio image was printed by F.J. Hiscock of Cody, Wyoming and it shows the great showman looking slightly off-camera and with an open book in his right hand. The inscription and signature are light and the lower corners and bottom margin have light waterstaining and that touches a few letters.