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Buffalo Bill Inscribed and Signed Photograph William "Buffalo Bill" Cody Inscribed and Signed Photo

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:3,000.00 - 3,500.00 USD
Buffalo Bill Inscribed and Signed Photograph  William  Buffalo Bill  Cody Inscribed and Signed Photo
<B> William "Buffalo Bill" Cody Inscribed and Signed Photograph. </B></I> Black and white photograph, 6.75" x 9.5", np, January 21, 1912. The photo is inscribed and signed as, "<I>W.F. Cody, 'Buffalo Bill' To Countess Von Boos. An Angel of Peace.</B></I>" Countess Von Boos is presumably a member of the family of Von Boos' who immigrated to Texas when it was a Republic. This is possibly one of the best Buffalo Bill photographs you can find extant. This photo depicts Buffalo Bill holding his rifle and cowboy hat looking off into the distance. He is backed by an outdoors scene and is wearing thigh high boots or waders. His clothes are very dapper and ornate but he still has the look of the outdoorsman that he was famous for. From 1868 until 1872 Cody was employed by the United States Army as a scout; he spent most of his time tracking Indians and killing buffalo along the railroad lines. This experience on the frontier would enhance his image as a frontiersman. Cody began his Wild West Show in 1883, touring around the U.S. and Europe performing circus like acts loosely based on frontier life and other spectacles; for instance, he had a parade of horse riders of all nationalities, they would ride through displaying their colors, costumes and unique skills. Despite Cody's past as a buffalo hunter and Indian scout, he was something of an early spokesman for Native American rights and preservation of the buffalo population by speaking against hide-hunting and even proposing a hunting season. Cody is a unique character who saw the American West change before his eyes, yet he still sought to preserve the frontier and its occupants. <BR> The photograph is in very fine condition; slight silvering has occurred on the darker portions of the lower quadrant of the photo.