SOLD
15,000.00USD+ (3,150.00) buyer's premium + applicable fees & taxes.
This item SOLD at 2014 Jun 28 @ 21:01UTC-6 : CST/MDT
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Original cartes-de-visites of the famous tintype image of Billy the Kid. Several folds, and cracks, red stain at the very top not affecting the image. 4 1/8" x 2 1/2" overall, with the image being 2 3/8" x 3 3/4" on the card. Circa 1880s.
PROVENANCE: Descended through a Silver City, New Mexico family.
Billy the Kid cartes de visite
by Bob McCubbin, noted historian and collector.
The only known surviving original photograph of Billy the Kid, a tintype, was sold in Brian Lebel’s Old West Auction three years ago. The sale created front page news across the country. The tintype is still the only known authentic Billy the Kid photograph.
At the time the tintype was taken, 1879-80, tintypes had almost been replaced by “cartes de visites” (CDVs), except in the case of traveling photographers. CDVs are small paper photos mounted on cards. The photos were made from negatives, thus could be produced in quantity and were inexpensive. CDVs of famous people, including outlaws of the day, were often “mass produced” to be sold to the public. A photographer would often photograph an1 photo to create a negative to produce CDVs to sell. The Kid tintype would have been a natural for such a thing.
Some of us who collect photos have believed that CDVs of the Billy the Kid tintype were likely made in the 1880s following his escape from Lincoln when his name became big news, and certainly after his death in Fort Sumner. It just makes sense. The thought was re-enforced by a look at the publications of the image as a photo, rather than an engraving. The first was in the1907 book, History of New Mexico. In my eye, it definitely is a cdv rather than a tintype. 1s that followed were the same, until Noah Rose and 1s mutilated the image.
Is it possible that no CDVs, if they existed, have surfaced in the last 100 plus years? It would not seem so, but it happens. For instance, the Pat Garrett book on Billy the Kid, published in Santa Fe in 1882 and selling for 50 cents, is now exceedingly rare and cannot be purchased at any price! So a photo of Billy the Kid, purchased for a few cents, was not thought as something worth saving. But at last, now we have one... here in this auction, thanks to a New Mexico family that did think it was worth saving.
True, it is a photo of the tintype, not an “original” photo, but it is an original CDV produced in the 1880’s and exceedingly rare! To my knowledge, like the original tintype, this is the only known copy.
Auction Location:
Denver Merch Mart - 451 East 58th Avenue, Denver, Colorado, 80216, United States
Previewing Details:
Live Preview open during the Denver Old West Show at the Denver Merchandise Mart:
Friday, June 27 - 2pm - 6pm
Saturday, June 28 - 9am - 4pm
All sales are subject to State, County and all other Special District taxes. Anyone wishing to purchase using a bona fide and appropriate Resale License will be required to show proof upon purchase each auction, each year. THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS.
Taxes:
| Tax | Rate | Desc. |
| SC |
2.9% |
State of Colorado |
| AC |
0.75% |
Adams County |
| SD |
1.1% |
Special Districts |
Buyer's Premiums:
| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
Infinite |
21% |
Additional Fees:
Shipping Details:
Shipping to be billed and paid for separately through a third party shipper.
Packing and shipping costs are the sole responsibility of the Purchaser. Items may be picked up in person at the auction site until noon on Sunday after the auction. If purchased items are not picked up by noon Sunday, or other arrangements with the Auction House have not been made by this time, your items will be removed from the facility by our third party UPS Shipper. Once the items have been packed by the Shipper they are no longer available for pick-up and must be shipped. Packing, handling, shipping, insurance and other fees will apply and will be billed directly by the Shipper. Auction Company reserves the right to delay shipment on items paid for by check until that check clears the bank.
Payment Details:
BUYER’S PREMIUM: A premium of 18%, plus a 3% Internet Convenience Fee, will be added to the final hammer price for all purchases made online, for a total Internet Premium of 21%.
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