Relics of the American West: 1850-1920
Lot 2222:
Description
Step back into the heyday of the American frontier with this remarkable, historically significant ephemera lot centered around “Lone Star Harry” (born ca. 1855), the legendary U.S. Army scout, cowboy, and Wild West performer celebrated for his unmatched skill as a trick-pistol shot. Dating from circa 1894, this collection features his rare 16-page biographical promotional pamphlet published by Dick’s Publishing House on Union Square, New York, which served as a souvenir program for his traveling performances. The rare pink-wrapped booklet details his life working on Captain Richard King’s Texas ranch, spearheading a 3,500-head cattle drive to Nebraska in 1882, scouting 12 years for General George Crook in the Cherokee Strip, and touring with acts like Pawnee Bill and the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. Notably, the text contains his famous combat advice to “always stand sideways… the left arm protects the heart.” This scarcity is paired with a “Fatima Wild West Show” card depicting a “Gaiety Girl” dancer, an original Saginaw, Michigan newspaper advertisement featuring “Curio Hall” billing Harry as “The Revolver King,” and two original historic cabinet photographs—one capturing a rugged group of frontier horsemen mounted on a black cardstock backer, and another depicting a large assembly of men and horses in front of a timber barn. The items display an authentic, aged patina; the booklet and cards show light edge wear, the newspaper advertisement has expected toning, a large dark moisture stain in the lower right corner, and minor paper loss, and the unmounted barn photograph exhibits noticeable chipping, silvering, and small breaks along its edges. H 12″, W 9″, D 0.1″. Please see photos for condition.
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