American History

Rare Tintype of Billy The Kid To Go Up For Sale

Filed under: Auctions

The image above depicts one of the Old West's most infamous bad guys. This rare tintype of Billy the Kid is believed to be the only survivor of four that were created when he posed for the picture in a Fort Sumner, New Mexico, gambling hall in late 1879 or early 1880. This shot often accompanies stories about Billy the Kid and is believed to be one of the only authenticated images of the young outlaw. It will be auctioned on June 25 at Brian Lebel's Old West Show and Auction at the Denver Merchandise Mart where it could bring between $300,000 and $400,000. The tintype passed through the family of one of Billy's rustler partners, Dan Dedrick and is sometimes called the Upham tintype after the Dedrick's grand-nephew, Frank Upham and his descendants.

Tags: American History, Billy The Kid, Old West, Photography, Tintype

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A Historian's Collection Heads For Auction

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Auctions

The sale of a historic collection coming up at Spink Shreves Galleries in New York City, January 27 – 29, 2010 tells not just the story of one man's life but of America's years of growth and change. Floyd E. Risvold of Edina, Minnesota died last year at the age of 97 and left behind an extensive multi-million dollar archive of important American manuscripts, maps, letters, early photographs, books and documents tracing America's journey to the Wild West. Pieces were collected over a 50 year period. Risvold participated in expeditions in the West with the Coast and Geodetic Survey in the 1930s and 1940s (that's him pictured at right). Nearly 1300 lots will be sold over three days in six separate sessions.

Items that tell the history of American expansion include a 12-page letter written by John Adams during The War of 1812, a prospector's 1849-era hand-drawn map to the California gold regions and an Indian peace treaty directive to the Secretary of State signed in 1864 by President Abraham Lincoln. The auction includes many other items related to the Pony Express and the creation of the U.S. Postal Service, the Alamo, the Civil War, expansion of the railroads and Mormon history including an 1841 letter signed by both Joseph Smith and Hyrum Smith, early leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The total pre-sale estimate is $5 million or more. The collection is currently on display in New York City. A set of three hardbound all-color catalogs housed in a slipcase has been produced and sells for $125.

Gallery: A Historian's American Collection