[Western Americana] [Photography] [Buffalo Bill] Collection of Photographs of Buffalo Bill Cody

1960. [Western Americana] [Photography] [Buffalo Bill]
Collection of Photographs of Buffalo Bill Cody, circa 1950s-1960s

A great small collection of photos, negatives, letters and clippings regarding one of the most famous and beloved figures of the American Old West, William Frederick "Buffalo Bill" Cody.
About 25 items. Contents generally very good or better, housed in mylar sleeves. A few items with a bit of wear and toning, mostly at edges; copious handwritten notes and captions.

These photographs came from the estate of Carl Breihan (1916-1998), noted Western author and historian. Breihan is widely regarded as the top authority on Frank and Jesse James, as well as the Younger Brothers. An avid collector of Western memorabilia, much of his estate was derived directly from Jesse James' and the Youngers' families.

The materials include:

- a 9" x 6" TLS from Dr. Hans Lee Pearce of Portland, Oregon, describing the enclosed 3.5" x 5", 1965 "photo taken of Dr. DeVeny and Bill Cody in the buggy with the appaloosa team." Pearce argued that this was the "only photo of the two together - Doc DeVeny dressed and looked like Bill Cody but was several inches shorter. (Doc DeVeny was known as Buffalo Bill DeVeny the toe Doctor). He very likely helped finance the satellite shows that appeared west of Denver."

- three 3" x 2" photographic negatives showing three different views of Cody, taped to a piece of typing paper

- 10" x 8" glossy B&W photo of Sitting Bull

- 7" x 5" clipping of an image of Cody and Sitting Bull

- assorted 5" x 7" glossy B&W photos of Cody, one sitting with an unidentified woman at a table, one sitting gallantly atop a horse holding a shotgun. Also present is an envelope containing the negative for the photo of Cody on a horse.

- assorted 3" x 5" glossy B&W photos, circa 1957 with detailed captions on versos, including:
- "Harold Ehrecke farm site (Wilson Farm), on this land W.F. Cody was born in 1846..."
- "Historic bldg at Le Claire, Iowa...reported to be Buffalo Bill's old school house..."
- The Welcome sign at the entrance to Le Claire, "birthplace of Buffalo Bill"

- a great 5" x 7" B&W photo of a stagecoach

- 1957 handwritten letter to Breihan, accompanying a negative, "for your files...The monument shown was erected 1924 @ Le Claire, Iowa to memory of 'Buffalo Bill' Cody by Col. Joe Barnes of Le Claire." Also included is an envelope with a description of the negative on it.

- Two real photo postcards showing "The Green Tree at Le Claire, Iowa. Home of Buffalo Bill"

A fantastic group of photos that would make a great start or addition to any Buffalo Bill or Western Americana collection.