Wild West Shows
Cabinet photograph of Buffalo Bill, Pawnee Bill, and Charles "Buffalo" Jones. New York: Gessford, ca 1908-1910. Signed by Jones. [With:] Press photograph of Pawnee Bill. New York: Sy Seidman.

Silver gelatin cabinet photograph on cardstock mount showing Gordon W. "Pawnee Bill" Lillie, seated at center, flanked by partner William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody and Charles Jesse "Buffalo" Jones. All wear fringed and intricately beaded jackets and gloves, Cody holds a Winchester rifle, and Jones wears wooly chaps and holds a lariat. Lower margin of mount inscribed and signed, "Sincerely Yours, C.J. Jones." Period manuscript identification on verso, likely written in the hand of Jones as well.

Famed wild west showmen Pawnee Bill and Buffalo Bill combined to form Buffalo Bill's Wild West and Pawnee Bill's Far East in 1909, touring together through the 1913 season. Charles J. Jones was a noted rancher, hunter, and frontiersman. He was a member of the Camp-Fire Club of America, with Buffalo Bill, Zane Gray, and Theodore Roosevelt included in his circle of friends. Jones was hired in 1894 to help build up the herd of buffalo at Yellowstone Park, and he has been cited by the National Archives as one of the "preservers of the American bison."

[With:] 4 x 5 3/4 in. silver gelatin press photograph on cardstock mount featuring a portrait of Pawnee Bill. Photographer's credit ink stamped on verso.

This lot is located in Cincinnati.