LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2006 October Grand Format Autographs #629  / 

25611

Annie Oakly Cabinet Photograph Signed

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1,875.00 USD Estimated At:7,500.00 - 8,500.00 USD
Annie Oakly Cabinet Photograph Signed
<B>Annie Oakley Cabinet Photograph Signed.</B></I> Silvertone portrait bust photograph, 5.5" x 6.5", np, nd. A middle aged Annie Oakley photograph taken after her wild west show days, neatly and boldly signed on the back "<I>Compliments of Annie Oakley</B></I>". Annie came to fame by way of a bet. Her future husband Frank Butler bet an owner of the hotel $100 that he could beat anyone in a shooting contest. He was matched with Annie and lost his bet but shortly after won her heart. They had their own act for a while and Annie would regularly shoot ashes off Frank's cigarette. They joined Buffalo Bill's Wild West show in 1885. Standing only five feet tall Oakley befriended Sitting Bull who referred to her as "Little Sure Shot". It was at his request that she knocked the ashes off a cigarette of the Crown Prince of Germany, the future Kaiser Wilhelm II. Oakley later joked that had her aim been a little worse, she might have prevented World War I. Ironically, her greatest source of wealth came in later years when William Randolph Hurst's newspaper created a false story that she was using cocaine. She sued Hearst and won on 55 of 56 counts, netting her a sum that allowed her to be a philanthropist giving generously to women's causes and orphans. It is reported that the portrait brooch she wears is believed to be the images of two of the orphans she supported. A diligent search of auction records indicates less than 12 of these at market in the last 30 years. The present example being among the finest condition. Very Fine.
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