Old West & Native American Auction
Lot 1503:
Description
This is a phenomenal assemblage of late 19th-century Western pulp literature, specifically Dime Novels and Dime Libraries, the foundational pop culture narratives of the American West. The collection includes several key titles from major publishers like Beadle & Adams’ Dime New York Library and the Diamond Dick Library (Street & Smith). Visible issues include “Wild Bill’s Last Trail” by Ned Buntline (Diamond Dick Library No. 192, dated July 5, 1898, 5 Cents), “Kit Carson, Jr., the Crack Shot of the West” (Beadle’s Dime New York Library, Vol. 1, No. 3), and “Buffalo Bill, The Buckskin King…” (Beadle’s Dime New York Library, Vol. VIII, No. 92, dated April 30, 1880). These fragile, newsprint periodicals feature striking woodcut illustrations on the covers, depicting legendary figures like Wild Bill Hickok, Buffalo Bill Cody, and the fictionalized Kit Carson, Jr. The lot also includes several loose covers and two modern framed/unframed photographic prints, which, while not period pieces, relate to the subject matter and are included in the offering. The condition of the original paper items is consistent with age and material, showing significant toning, edge tears, minor chipping, and general paper fragility; however, the covers are largely intact and the dramatic illustrations remain clear and highly displayable. The modern prints and frame are in excellent condition. H 12″, W 8.5″, D 0.25″ (Estimate based on the largest periodical). From the Western display in Donley’s Wild West Town.
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