January 26, 2024 Brian Lebel's Old West Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/26/2024
By Swartz, FORT WORTH, TEX. photographer's imprint on front of image lower left.
True West Magazine: "The "Fort Worth Five" photograph became a part of history when a lawman recognized the wanted men in a photograph hanging at picture taker John Swartz's gallery in Fort Worth, Texas. When the Pinkerton National Detective Agency got wind of this Wild Bunch Gang photo, taken in 1900, the Pinkertons printed the mugshots on wanted posters that circulated across the West. This photograph not only helped immortalize the frontier desperados, but also helped bring about the gang's downfall."
In 1999 the Smithsonian named the picture one of the iconic images of the American West. "The Wild Bunch were the last bank robbers of the western era. From 1895-1902 they operated from Wyoming to Texas and at their peak, they had more than twenty members. Noted hideouts of the gang included Robbers Roost, in Utah and Hole-in-the-Wall in Wyoming."
Image is 6 1/2” x 8 1/16” and mounted on 7 1/2” x 9 1/16”. Image is sharp and clear and other than the added numbering is in nice condition. The edges of the mounting board are worn, especially the corners. 4 pin holes around the edge, some water staining to the bottom of the card, not affecting the image.
Written by hand on the reverse:
In pencil:
1 Harry Longbaugh "Sundance Kid"
2 Bill Carver
3 Ben Kilpatrick
4 Harvey Logan
5 "Butch" Cassidy (Geo Parker)
In ink:
“THE WILD BUNCH
Left to Right: Standing: Wm. Carver; Harvey Logan / Sitting: Harry Longabaugh, alias Sundance Kid; Ben Kilpatrick; Geo. Parker, alias “Butch Cassidy”
The photograph has been graded a Type 1 by Collectibles Authentication Guaranty (CAG) and is encapsulated in a CAG holder. We have had reference to only 2 other original copies of this image, one of which we sold as part of the Robert B. McCubbin collection.
Item Dimensions: Cover: 10 - 1/4" x 10 - 1/2".