May 28 & 29, 2020 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/28/2020
William F. Cody and Nate Salsbury, in equal partnership formed the "Buffalo Bill Wild West Show" in 1883. The first show took place on May 19th in Omaha Nebraska. The show successfully toured Europe eight times between the years 1887-1892 performing before British Royalty and European elite. In 1899 using two trains with a total of 50 railcars transporting a cast of more than 500 performers, dozens of horses, a herd of over 30 buffalo, and grandstand seating for 20,000 spectators. The show covered 11,000 miles in 200 days, giving 341 performances in 132 U.S. cities and towns. The operation generated its own electricity, staffed its own fire department, and served three hot meals a day for the entire staff and crew. Expenses climbed to over $4,000 per day. Admission was .50 cents per person. It has been said that during that time, Buffalo Bill Cody was the most famous and recognized person in the world and the "Wild West Show" being the greatest show on earth. In the decade to come, audiences began to decline. Motion pictures captivated public attention. Shooting declined as a spectator sport while the popularity of baseball and football soared. On October 29, 1901, after finishing a show in North Carolina, tragedy struck when the Wild West Show's train collided with an oncoming freight train, killing hundreds of livestock and seriously injuring the show's star, Annie Oakley. A year later Cody's founding partner, Nate Salsbury died on Christmas Eve, 1902. In 1909 Cody sold a one-third interest of the show for $50,000 to former employee and cast member Gordon William "Pawnee Bill" Lillie. The new partnership developed a show performance titled "The Two Bill's Show" The show toured the United States for the next four years, with the closing performance in Denver Colorado in 1913. William Cody dies on January 10, 1917 in Denver Colorado. The large advertisement offer in this sale is believed to be an original display or show banner used during the "Two Bill's Show" performances. Smaller original lithograph posters featuring the same image and titled: "The Two Bill's Show" are known to exist. Measuring 7 ft. wide by 10 ft. tall. This rare original painted canvas titled: "BUFFALO BILL ORIGINAL WILD WEST" boasting a very colorful American Indian, kneeling and taking aim with his Winchester Repeating rifle is most dramatic. The upper right corner features a monotone profile of William F. Cody. CONDITION: Excellent plus. Colors are vibrant. Shows modest wear with minimum staining and no visible repairs. Overall a very desirable "Wild West Show" original show banner. -MKS-