Cody, William F., "Buffalo Bill". (1846–1917)
Archive Including Cody Family Memorial Scrapbook, Signed Photograph, Signed Book, Original Photographs, Cody's Personal Grooming Kit & Meerschaum Pipe, and two newly discovered photographs, one being one of the earliest recorded photographs of Cody
A remarkable archive of photographs and ephemera owned by and relating to the legendary Wild West scout, bison hunter, and showman. The collection includes Buffalo Bill's personal shaving kit, an impressive rosewood and brass case complete with razors, combs, brushes and other grooming tools; his meerschaum pipe with a carving of a dog; three extremely rare photographs of Cody, including two previously unknown very early photographs; a signed first edition of his autobiography; an envelope of crumbled leaves from Buffalo Bill's grave on Lookout Mountain; and an album of clippings and photographs relating to his death and burial, compiled by Cody's nephew George Cody and his wife Anna Bond Goodman for their daughter. Most items in very good to fine condition; an important archive from the celebrated frontiersman and entertainer, a central figure in the history of the American West.Complete contents:
Nineteenth-century gentleman's traveling grooming kit, consisting of a rosewood and brass fitted box, opening to reveal a fitted interior with compartments for three glass and English sterling silver toiletry containers; a silver-handled travel shaving brush; a medium-tooth comb and a fine mustache comb; a nailbrush; an ivory-handled miniature corkscrew tool; a leather strop; three folding bone-handled razors and several other bone-handled grooming tools, each in a leather loop; and two hairbrushes. The lid is lined with green velvet which hinges down to reveal two storage compartments for letters. The main body of the box has three layers of storage, with the panel of razors sitting atop the brushes, and the upper tray of small items lifting out. Razors stamped A. KLEIN 6 BOULV. DES CAPUClNES PARIS. and SHEFFIELD. Uppermost tray is unfortunately in delicate condition, with the base and dividers loose, and can no longer be removed in one piece. Some wear to all the items, consistent with use (missing teeth from the comb, loose brush hairs, handling wear, etc). The case itself is in solid condition; set overall very good. 8.5 x 6.5 x 4.5 inches (21.5 x 16 x 12 cm). A handsome item which may have been bought by or given to Cody on one of his European tours; its many tools also bear witness to the grooming that Buffalo Bill's signature mustache and beard must have required!
Late-nineteenth-century small meerschaum and amber pipe decorated with a carved dog. Housed in a leather case, marked on the lining: WDC Finest Quality. Wear to the case, browning to the meerschaum and teeth marks to the end of the pipe, which still smells of tobacco. In fine condition overall. 3.5 inches (9 cm) long.
Ca. 1850 ambrotype of a young boy, apparently William F. Cody, at approximately age 4. Housed in a decorative gold frame within a hinged leather case with hook fastening. Heavy wear to the case, with part of the spine detached and the cover separated. Image itself in fine condition, overall good. 2.5 x 3 inches (6 x 7.5 cm).
Very rare, previously unknown ca. 1875 convex glass color Crystoleum Plate photograph portrait of Cody. Unframed and in fair condition, repaired in several places with tape across the image. 4.25 x 6.25 inches (10.5 x 15.5 cm).
Signed Stacy cabinet photograph of Cody, who is shown dressed in an embroidered rawhide jacket and has signed and inscribed at the foot: "To Sallie Taylor Johnson / WF Cod.." Large chips to the corner and edges, with signature partially missing; overall fair. 4 x 6.5 inches (10.5 x 16.5 cm).
A bank deposit envelope from Norristown, Pennsylvania containing crumbled, dried leaves and bearing a pencil inscription to the verso: "Taken from Buffalo Bills' tomb on Lookout Mt, (1939)". Heavily folded and toned, with the leaves inside now essentially powder. 3 x 5 inches (8 x 13.5 cm).
Signed first edition of Cody's autobiography, The Life of Hon. William F. Cody / known as Buffalo Bill / the famous Hunter, Scout and Guide (Hartford, Conn.: Frank E. Bliss, c. 1879). Inscribed and signed on a front free page: "To E.D. Johnson, Jr. / From W.F. Cody / Buffalo Bill / Feb 19th, 1880." 365 pp. Illustrated with black and white plates throughout. Maroon boards with gold lettering and gold buffalo to the front board. Spine and boards separated; heavy edge wear; toning; but block intact and overall in good condition.
Family scrapbook of press clippings, photographs, letters and telegrams relating to Buffalo Bill and his death in 1917. Inlaid panel to the front board reads: "Memorial to Col. Wm. F. Cody / "Buffalo Bill" / Compiled for his grand neice [sic] / Julia Ann Goodman / by her parents / George Cody and Anna Bond Goodman / 1917." Contents include clipped interviews and articles on Cody from 1915–1917, profiling him and reporting on his 70th birthday, and many clippings reporting on his death and memorializing him; two typed letters signed about Cody's last illness and a telegram reporting his death, addressed to George Cody and Anna Bond Goodman from a family member, "Louie,"; a telegram dated February 16, 1916, apparently from Cody to Anna Goodman (signed "Uncle."); typed and autograph letters from two unidentified military and political figures to Anna Goodman, regarding Cody's death; several small original photographs of Cody with family members or alone; a black-bordered card expressing thanks for condolences; several pages of typed copied condolences from family members and famous figures including Woodrow Wilson; a receipt for a donation of $5 to the Buffalo Bill Memorial Association; and five original photographs of Cody's funeral. Approx. 16 loose bifolia, enclosed in a quarter red leather binding with black cloth boards. Large loss to the spine, boards partially detached; heavy edge wear; overall good, with contents in fine condition.
Born in Le Claire, Iowa Territory, by the age of fifteen Cody had already been a horse wrangler, Pony Express rider, and unsuccessful prospector. He became a scout for the Union army, and after the war took a job for a company that supplied meat for railroad construction crews. As a hunter, he purportedly killed 4282 buffalo over eighteen months in 1867–1868. Writer Ned Buntline coined his nickname in his the novel Buffalo Bill, King of the Bordermen, based on his encounter with Cody, and catapulted Cody to fame when the book was serialized beginning in 1869. Cody made his stage debut in 1872, finding great success with his rugged good looks and Wild West skills. His famous Wild West Show was launched in 1883 and toured into the 20th century, both in the United States and as far afield as London, Paris and Rome. Mark Twain commented, "It is often said on the other side of the water that none of the exhibitions which we send to England are purely and distinctly American. If you will take the Wild West show over there you can remove that reproach." Cody died in 1917 at the age of 70. Upon the news of his death, tributes were made by George V, Kaiser Wilhelm II, and President Woodrow Wilson. His legend lives on in the town of Cody, Wyoming, which he helped to found and where he established his own ranch.
The collection comes to us from descendants of Cody's maternal grandmother, Hannah Taylor, in West Chester, Pennsylvania. (10477)
Signed Document/Item History & Historiography