LOT #47059 |
Starting Bid: $1,500
Cole Younger Autograph Letter Signed....
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Description
Cole Younger ALS promoting his speaking tour recounting his life as an outlaw
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.
Auction Info
2026 February 26 Historical Manuscripts & Texana Signature® Auction #6328 (go to Auction Home page)
Proxy Bidding Ends
February
26th
Thursday
10:50 am CT
Auction Dates
February
26th
Thursday
Proxy Bidding Time Remaining
19 Days
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