Relics of the American West: 1850-1920
Lot 2146:
Description
This curated collection offers a fascinating cross-section of frontier lore and the “dime novel” culture that captivated the early 20th-century public. Featured is a rare Jan. 2, 1894, issue of Beadle’s Half Dime Library (No. 858) titled “Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s Death-Hole Hustle” by Edward L. Wheeler, a cornerstone of Western pulp fiction published by Beadle and Adams in New York. It is joined by a 1908 32-page booklet, “The Hiding of Black Bill” by O. Henry, published by The Ridgway Company, and an unused Real Photo Postcard (RPPC) of Deadwood Dick featuring a stamp box logo consistent with the 1939–1950 era. Rounding out the lot is a significant c. 1910 large-format cabinet card titled “Branding Cattle, Alberta, Canada,” providing a photographic record of the cattle industry’s history by Phil. Photographer. The pulp magazine is in very brittle condition with loose pages and chipping; the O. Henry booklet is in good condition; the RPPC is well-preserved; and the cattle cabinet card shows minor foxing and surface wear. H 12″, W 9.75″ (Cabinet Card); H 12″, W 8.25″ (Beadle’s); H 7.25″, W 4.5″ (O. Henry); H 5.5″, W 3.5″ (RPPC). Please see photos for condition.
Share this lot:
