Auction Name: 2026 February 26 Historical Manuscripts & Texana Signature® Auction

Lot Number: 47059

Shortcut to Lot: HA.com/6328*47059

Cole Younger Autograph Letter Signed. Two pages in pencil on two sheets, 8 1/4 x 11 inches, Lee's Summit, Missouri; September 2, 1910. Written on printed stationery promoting Younger's lecture tour, "What Life Has Taught Me." Eight years after his release from Stillwater Prison, where he served more than two decades for his role in the Northfield Bank Robbery, Younger launched the tour to recount his life of crime, capture, and redemption. The printed border of the stationery advertises the lecture as "A Lesson to the Young of the Land...That Will Never Be Forgotten...Mr. Younger's sole desire in life now: Is to do all he can for the betterment of mankind and to aid civilization to arise from further persecution."

Addressed to "Mr. W. W. Davis, Waverly," Younger discusses available dates and ticket prices for a future booking:

"I could give you any date after the 10 of this month as that is the only contract I have for this month and any date you should select I could Book...After the first of oct I could not say as I might be booked up every day, so write and let me know at once...At Butler it is 30 for the house...Tickets 25 and 50 cts. But locality has a great deal to do with that as you are on the ground you would be more capable of judging as to price of tickets." Signed, "Cole Younger."

Following his parole in 1901, Younger sought to reshape his public image, first publishing his autobiography, The Story of Cole Younger, before joining traveling shows such as Buckskin Bill's Wild West Show and the Lew Nichols Carnival Company. In 1909, he began a three-year lecture circuit, presenting himself as a reformed man dedicated to moral improvement and patriotism. Younger retired to Lee's Summit in 1912, where he lived quietly until his death in 1916.

Condition: Somewhat toned with smoothed folds. Professionally backed with archival tissue, restoring several small areas of loss, primarily along folds. Scattered staining to verso of each page.

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