City of Harrisburg Collection of Western Memorabilia to be Auctioned by Heritage!

September 19, 2007 AmericanaCity of Harrisburg Collection of Western Memorabilia to be Auctioned by Heritage!

Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries will offer The City of Harrisburg Collection of Western Memorabilia and Native American Art on October 18 & 21 at the Anatole Hotel in Dallas, Texas.

"This material was originally acquired for inclusion in a proposed Western museum," said Dennis Lowe, Consignment Director for Dallas-based Heritage Auction Galleries. "Unfortunately, the museum never materialized, so we're pleased to be able to offer this incredible material, including both Western artifacts and Native American art, to the collecting public."

"There's a wonderful, large holding of vintage photography in this collection," Lowe said, "highlighted by a historical photograph of the Apache leader Geronimo, his son and two of his braves, armed with Winchester rifles. This particular photo was taken circa 1886, during the period in which Geronimo was still fighting against US troops and prior to his surrender to General Crook on March 27, 1886. He escaped on March 30, 1886, and was taken into custody on September 4 of that same year. Geronimo spent most of the rest of his life in custody, although he did appear at the 1904 St. Louis World's fair and ride in President Theodore Roosevelt's inaugural parade in 1905. He died in Fort Sill, Oklahoma in 1909."

"Another treasure of Western photography is Judge Roy Bean standing in front of his Langtry, Texas saloon, The Jersey Lilly, named for actress Lilly Langtry, that doubled as his courthouse," Lowe said. "Known as 'The Hangin' Judge,' Bean often referred to himself as 'The Law West of the Pecos.' Bean's antics are the stuff of Old West legend, such as his keeping a pet bear in his courtroom, and his admonition, 'And may God have mercy on your soul,' to couples he had just married. Fittingly, considering his penchant for the strange and unusual, it appears that in this image, Bean is posing with a legless girl on a bicycle. The entire truth regarding the story behind this photograph may never be known."

"Even more bizarre is a rare carte de visit from 1876 showing the bodies of outlaws Bill Chadwell and Clell Miller, part of Jesse James's gang," Lowe said. "The pair were gunned down by townspeople in Northfield, Minnesota during the commission of a bank robbery with the James Gang on September 6, 1876. Proud of their accomplishment in bringing justice to these two notorious criminals, the people had the bodies propped up on chairs, posed for this picture. The fatal wounds are clearly visible on each corpse, making this one of the most macabre images ever taken."

"One of the most important advancements in firearms technology during the nineteenth century was the development of the Gatling gun, which fired multiple rounds of ammunition in rapid succession by use of a hand crank. The world's first machine gun, it was designed by Joseph Gatling in 1861 in order to allow for a decrease in troop size by permitting one soldier to do the work of many. In this way, Gatling intended to make it easier to supply smaller troop units and reduce deaths from malnutrition. This type of gun is still in use today. the modern M61 Vulcan 20 mm cannon is its most frequently-seen descendant. and we're pleased to offer a Model 1883 45-70 caliber Gatling gun on its original carriage. This is a superb weapon in exceptional condition, and will certainly be the ultimate showpiece for the collector or museum that bids on it."

"When one thinks of the Old West, the image that often comes to mind is that of the stagecoach, traveling across the plains delivering mail and passengers to the new frontier," Lowe said. "We're pleased to present a magnificent Wells Fargo "Concord" stagecoach from the 1880s, which looks just as good now as it did when it was in regular service. Not surprising, as the 'Concord' model coaches, built by the Abbott Downing Company, were known for their sturdiness and reliability. This is a real American icon, well worthy of a place in the very finest collection."

"Another exceptional piece of Old West history," Lowe continued, "is the 1850s Conestoga wagon that traveled along the Oregon Trail. This is the classic 'covered wagon' seen in countless paintings, photographs and movies, that helped move the brave and hearty pioneers across our great country. Often referred to as 'prairie schooners,' these wagons transported American families and their possessions across miles of open land, building a new life in the West."

"The Native American art portion of our auction features some truly exceptional material," Lowe said, "such as a stunning Tularosa black-on-white jar, circa 1030-1200 AD, decorated with a broad frieze of spiral and stepped motifs encircling the body, stepped linear motifs on the neck, and a pair of intentional 'finger depressions' on the base."

"Another beautiful example of Native American art is an Apache beaded hide scout shirt, circa 1876," said Lowe. " Composed of tanned elk hide, the yoke is painted with green pigment, and trimmed with glass seed beads, German silver tacks, three brass stars and short hide fringe. Each side seam is flanked by perforated panels exposing red wool trade cloth and German silver buttons, with pony beaded details. In addition, this lot is accompanied by a dye-test indicating that the red wool trade cloth is cochineal."

"All of these spectacular items, and many more, will be offered in our upcoming auction," said Lowe. "I'd invite anyone interested to visit our website at www.HA.com, where they'll be able to view full-color, enlargeable images of each and every auction lot, complete with our well-researched and thorough catalog descriptions. They'll even have the ability to place their bids online. What could be easier?"

The City of Harrisburg Collection will be offered in conjunction with other Western collections at Heritage Auction Galleries. upcoming Signature Auction, to be held at the Hilton Anatole Hotel on October 18-21, 2007 in Dallas, TX.

"Geronimo," Son & Two Picked Braves. C. S. Fly, Tombstone A.T. Cabinet Card ca 1886:
ESTIMATE: $3,000 - $4,000

Terrific Cabinet Of Judge Roy Bean In Front Of The Jersey Lilly:
ESTIMATE: $6,000 - $8,000

"Bill Chadwell, Clell Miller" Killed In Northfield CDV 1876:
ESTIMATE: $2,500 - $3,500

A Model 1883 45-70 Gatling Gun on its original carriage:
ESTIMATE: $140,000 - $160,000

A Remarkable Wells Fargo "Concord" 1880s stagecoach:
ESTIMATE: $75,000 - $85,000

Conestoga Wagon that traveled West on the Oregon Trail in 1850:
ESTIMATE: $18,000 - $24,000

A Tularosa Black-on-White Jar:
ESTIMATE: $4,000 - $6,000

An Apache Beaded Hide Scout Shirt:
ESTIMATE: $20,000 - $30,000

For more information about Heritage's auctions, and a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit www.HA.com.

Prospective consignors and sellers of political memorabilia, Americana, and related collectibles are invited to visit www.HA.com/Sell. Or simply email Dennis Lowe at DennisL@HA.com.

To reserve your copy of any Heritage auction catalog, please contact Client Services at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 1150, or visit www.HA.com/Catalog to order by email.