Geronimo: An Impeccably Provenanced Autograph of the Notorious Apache Leader. ... (Total: 2 Items)

Click the image to load the highest resolution version.

Sold on Dec 11, 2012 for:

Sign-in or Join (free & quick)

Get one of these:

Share this lot

Track Item Printable Auction Results

Sell One of These

Description

Auction Info

Guides & Info

Description

Geronimo: An Impeccably Provenanced Autograph of the Notorious Apache Leader. Geronimo was a major attraction at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair. Although he refused to adopt the life-style of the white man, he seemed to have no problem with "performing" for mesmerized audiences. Accompanied by a retinue of Apache men, women and children, he formed official exhibitions at several major expositions, including the 1901 Pan American in Buffalo and the Fair in St. Louis. There he entertained crowds with singing and dancing, demonstrated the craft of making bows and arrows, and of course sold autographs.

Ernest R. Spaulding visited the St. Louis Fair in June 1904. On the scrapbook page he preserved his railroad ticket stubs from the trip, his registration card from the hotel (room for himself, his wife and child cost $3.75 per night!), as well as the autographed card, boldly signed in black ink, which he received from Geronimo himself. Below the card Spaulding wrote, "His autograph, handed to E.R.S. by him June 15, 1904. "

Serious collectors know only too well how difficult it is to obtain a Geronimo autograph which is unquestionably authentic. His child-like, block-letter signature is easy to forge, and the number of fake Geronimo autographs in circulation may almost rival those of Babe Ruth. We are very pleased to offer this beautifully provenanced example.

Also included with the lot is a letter to Spaulding from the Inside Inn about his accommodations. The hotel was the only one located within the grounds of the Fair, and thus the $3.75 room charge included admission to the Fair!