CATEGORIES
|
Rare, Fabulous, Autograph Letter by Annie Oakley Bearing Three Signatures
OAKLEY, Annie (1860- November 3, 1926). Born Phoebe Ann (Annie) Mosey on August 13, 1860 in a log cabin in Ohio. From a very young age she became a sharpshooter. She married sharpshooter Frank Butler in 1876. He was a travelling marksman. The couple joined Buffalo Bills Wild West Show. Annie and Frank lived in Cincinnati, Ohio and she adopted her name “Oakley” from a city neighborhood. While working at Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show she was given the name of “Watanya Cicilla” by fellow performer Sitting Bull. This name is translated to “Little Sure Shot.” In 1894 Oakley and Butler performed in Edison’s Kinetoscope film the “Little Sure Shot of the Wild West.” Annie Oakley performed in front of Royalty and Heads of State. Some include Queen Victoria, King Umburto and she shot ashes from a cigarette held in the mouth of Kaiser Wilhelm II. Later on in the same year she shot a cigarette out of a man’s mouth from a moving automobile in order to promote the opening of a hotel in the Midwest. It is believed she taught more than 15,000 women how to use a gun. Annie Oakley died on November 3, 1926. Her death certificate lists her name as Annie Oakley Butler. Her husband Frank Butler died only 18 days later.
Autograph letter signed, 1 1/2 pages, 8vo, 706 Lexington Avenue, Dayton, Ohio. Dated April 8th 1926 (in the same year of her passing). In this most unusual handwritten letter she asks a Postmaster to Forward mail to her under four different names.
“To Post Master, Versailles, Ohio. Dear Sir, Will you kindly forward all mail. Directed to Annie Oakley. or Annie Oakley. Butler or Frank E. Butler. All in c/o RR2- Versailles, Ohio at 706 Lexington Ave, Dayton, Ohio. Until further notice. And oblige, very truly yours Annie Oakley, Butler.” The perfect letter for any gun enthusiast or collector of the United States Wild West. Written on two separate pages therefore can be framed. Together with a color portrait............$9500.00
 |