LiveAuctioneers will provide Internet live bidding.
The 130-year-old tintype of Billy the Kid is the only authenticated photograph of the outlaw known to exist, and is widely regarded as the most important photograph of the American West. It carries a $300,000-$400,000 estimate. Extensively studied and documented, the photograph is nearly as famous as its infamous subject. A tintype of Billy’s friend, Dan Dedrick, to whom Billy gave his tintype, is included in the lot, along with other photos and letters from the Dedrick family and their descendants. Another piece of history can be found in J.A. Garrett’s Colt Single Action, which has documentation linking it to the Johnson County War (est. $25,000-$35,000).
Fine Western art at this year’s sale includes an important Edward Borein watercolor, California Vaquero, from the estate of noted Borein collector Katherine Haley (est. $60,000-$90,000). A rare, unpublished Will James watercolor will be offered (est. $25,000-$35,000), as well as a number of first edition Will James books with original drawings and signatures.
The Old West Auction will offer its first ever Andy Warhol, the 1986 Mother and Child, signed and numbered “TP 18/36” (est. $8,000-$10,000). Other Western artists to be offered include Harry Jackson, Will Crawford, Nick Eggenhofer, Ross Stefan, Eric Michaels, Remington Schuyler, Joe Beeler and Ralph Lillywhite.
The personal collection of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West performer Jordan Cottle will be offered for the first time, and includes a hand-drawn, hand-signed, banner with original signatures from such noted Wild West performers as W.F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody, Annie Oakley, Frank Butler, Johnny Baker and others (est, $5,000-$8,000). One of W.F. Cody’s personal pocket watches is for sale, as are original copies of the divorce proceedings from his wife, Louisa Cody, in which a witness accuses her of trying to poison her famous husband (est. $5,000-$8,000).
Fine saddles, spurs, bits, bridles and other cowboy items from noted names such as Bohlin, Visalia, Ortega and Buermann will be offered. Native American artifacts for sale include a beaded Omaha man’s war shirt (est. $6,000-$9,000), pipe bags, Navajo textiles, parfleche items and Apache baskets. Hollywood cowboy items include a John Wayne movie hat and Clayton Moore’s (TV’s The Lone Ranger) Colt Single Action revolvers (est. $5,000-$7,500).
“I’m very excited about this year’s auction,” said founder, Brian Lebel. “The quality and diversity of the items is among the best we’ve ever offered.”
The auction is part of a weekend event that includes the Old West Show, which showcases dealers of fine Western art, antiques and merchandise. Both the show and auction are open to the public. For more information, or to order a full-color auction catalog, visit www.denveroldwest.com.
ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
