Cantey Collection

Fannin County, Texas, Sheriff  Samuel O'Brien Harris circa 1889-1890 taken in Ladonia, Texas by W.B. Praytor. He is wearing his crescent/star badge of office in this studio cabinet image. Harris was a Sheriff after serving briefly in 1889 as a U.S. Deputy Marshal in Indian Territory under Judge Isaac Parker. The next photo shows that era.  This is a sepia photograph.

A bit worse for wear large cabinet photograph of Capt. Jack Crawford taken by the famous photographer Tabor in San Francisco. Crawford is dressed formally for one of his lectures there circa 1900-1910. The image is signed under the photograph. Crawford signed EVERYTHING so signed anything by him is common, not rare. However, this image by Tabor makes it rarer than most. The interesting thing is that I found it originally in California and sold it a few years later at auction. Recently, I saw it was again for sale and bought it back. It will now stay with me for the rest of my life. I will not cover here anything about Crawford as he is knee deep on Google.

4.5" x 6" Type II, vintage, unmounted sepia image of Judge Roy Bean sitting on his famous white horse in front of his historic saloon and courthouse circa 1900-1910. He wears a Mexican sombrero hat. Two men stand on the porch of his iconic saloon.   Bean was a saloon keeper and Justice of the Peace in Val Verde County, Texas. He called himself "The only law West of the Pecos" and he held court inside of the saloon. This image is from the personal archives of photographer John Tackett. It was later in the collection of Jim and Theresa Earl sold by Bonhams Los Angles. Roy Bean images in any format are very hard to obtain today. Early, original cabinet photographs are nearly impossible.

Two small unmounted images showing former Texas Ranger Captain Jim Gillett shaking hands with Comanche adoptee Herman Lehmann. Lehmann had fought against Gillett in 1875 when Gillette was a Captain of Frontier Texas Rangers. It was taken circa 1900-1910. I am sure these were published previously in one of the numerous books and articles on this Famous Texas Ranger Captain. You can find both men on Google. Rare in any original form.

Cabinet photograph from the Hugh Thomason collection of "Foggy" Byerly at Jefferson Brks, Mo. 1888. On the back in Thomason's hand is written: " Foggy Byerly taken while Cook of Co. "A" Inf at Jefferson Brks, Mo. 1888. Killed at the battle of Wounded Knee Dec. 27, 1890."

This original cabinet photograph was taken by Jos Campeau in London, England in July 1897. It was during the Buffalo Bill Cody Wild West Show there. The image is from the Capt. Hugh Thomason collection. It is identified on the back with a hand written note by Thomason. The note says: : "This is the boy who killed the buffalo bull with a bow and errow in the last buffalo hunt.  Photo taken in London while with the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show." Contrast is slightly better in the original.

Identified cabinet photograph  by Stacey, Brooklyn, New York in 1897. It is of Georgian Cossack trick rider Luca Chkhartishvili who was an entertainer in the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show in Madison Square Garden New York in 1897. It is signed in Cyrillic on the back.  The Cossacks were exceptional riders and thrilled the audiences. It is also a RARE image from the Capt. Hugh Thomason collection. 

Cabinet photograph of Capt Hugh Thomason of the 6th Mounted Infantry, Co. A.  when he was involved in the Wounded Knee battle in S.D. in 1890. He met Bufallo Bill Cody there. He became involved with the Cody Show in New York and in London in 1897. I do not know in what capacity. This image is signed by him on the back and came from his personal collection. The photo has been enhanced in the head and hat area by the photographer as some of the detail was lost due to sun light as taken outside. 

John Y Nelson was a trapper, hunter and scout over the years. He was married to Chief Spotted Tail's niece. He started with Cody in 1884. He took his entire family with him. In the Cody Show he was the main driver of the Dodge City Stage and he acted in several of the events over the years. He was also the interpreter for the Sioux cast.  Here, he is in a photographer's backdrop, on his horse, with a deer over his saddle. The image is a Woodburytype and it was taken during the Cody engagement in London in 1887.

Many times published, iconic cabinet photograph of the aftermath of the Wounded Knee Battle (or brutal massacre) in 1891 of the Sioux Indians on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in S.D. The man on his back is the main Medicine Man of the tribe after he was killed. I will not explain the details as there are many books, articles, movies, documentaries, and information on the internet you can read.  This  image was produced by the Northwestern Photographic Co. in Chadron, Nebraska. The image is hard to look at but it is VERY IMPORTANT to see it in order to understand man's inhumanity to man. The event was totally uncalled for.

RPPC of a man identified as Mexican John. I have no further identification but dates circa 1902-1904. He was probably one of Cody or Pawnee Bill's entertainers over time. He wears a Large Bowie type knife in a sheath and holds a rope. I would guess he was a trick roper in a show. I am not a big fan of RPPCs but in some cases this is the only photographic medium of a person extant.

Excellent clarity image of Apache Sub Chief Geronimo at the Pan American Exposition in 1901. These were sold as souvenirs to the public and afterwards.The mat is in bad condition but the original photograph is unharmed. Many lesser collectors would not buy it because of the mat but, for me, the PHOTOGRAHY condition is the real issue and well worth the purchase. Geronimo sold his signature on anything requested for $1.00. The U.S. government allowed him to do that to raise income for his personal needs. 

Unique and extremely rare original tintype of a young WILD BILL HICKOK and his hunting partner Robert Denbow taken in 1867. They were on a buffalo hunt after Hickok's participation in the Civil War and before his law enforcement days. One of, I believe, only TWO images of Hickok this early when he was not the celebrity he would become. Image has unimpeachable provenance.

This is a print from the famous Rose Collection of Judge Roy Bean in front of his saloon/court house in Texas named the Jersey Lily. It dates about 1902. You can find Roy Bean all over the internet and a movie with Paul Newman was also made about the interesting ole character.

A rare albumen cabinet photograph of Libby, Montana in the 1880s. I like to find these for my Montana collection as they are all quite rare and have a lot of interest and historical value. There are several people on the back of the white house on the right so they can get in the photo.

Interesting image by Soule & Burkhart, Photographers (no location). It appears that it was taken in Arizona. In front are two stage coaches. There are at least 16 covered wagons behind the Stages. The stages are pulled by mules. Opinions vary but best guess is that it is a supply convoy for one of the major mines in the area or supplies for one of the towns. I believe it is circa 1890-1900. Some damage to the photo's background but historically interesting content.

This cabinet photograph circa 1885-1890 by Bowring, Wisconsin is of a buckskin dressed American Indian in a fine, fringed buckskin jacket, pants, and wide brim western hat. He has an early tomahawk in his left hand and he is holding a small box in his right hand. When you have collected this type of image for over 50 years, you have thousands of pictures in your mind that you have seen. I am very sure I have seen a picture of this man before but I cannot remember where. I have an idea he was in the Patent Medicine business and the box may be a boxed bottle of his medicine. But, I could be wrong and perhaps will never identify him. At any rate, it is an outstanding and valuable photograph. 

Original framed cabinet photograph circa 1890s of John Wilson Vermillion. Contemporarily IDed on the back of the image, JWV carved in the back of the frame, and documented in a letter written to his wife Nannie Fleenor Vermillion by a personal friend of the Vermillion's and a member of Vermillion's church. In the letter, she acknowledges receipt of the framed photograph, a prayer book, and a small box that had belonged to Rev. Vermillion from Nannie after Rev. Vermillion's death. . I have all three items and the letter.
Vermillion was a Confederate soldier under General Joseph Wheeler and Nathan Bedford Forrest during the Civil War.  After the War,  the went to Dodge City in in late 1870s where he met the Earps and Doc Holliday.  He is listed as a special policeman under Virgil Earp during the Tombstone fire in 1881. After the killing of Morgan Earp in 1882, he rode with Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday during the Vendetta ride.  In 1883 he was back in Dodge City, Kansas on the side of Bat Masterson during the Dodge City War.  After that he became involved with the Soapy Smith gang in 1888 in Idaho. Circa 1890, He went back to Virginia and settled in the town of Big Stone Gap and worked as a Methodist preacher. He died in Virginia with his second wife Nannie Fleenor Vermillion and one son, Opie Vermillion, and a daughter Minnie Bell Vermillion, in 1911. His grave along with his wife is in Mendota Cemetery in Virginia. This photograph of "Texas Jack Vermillion" is 100% documented and authentic.

Cabinet photograph of a trick rider in a Wild West Show. It was taken by J.H. Trezise in Harrisburg, Pa in the late 1880s. As in most early images taken outside, it is very light in some areas. In this case, it is the rider's head and hat. He is making the horse rear up on his hind legs. It is not an unusual trick but not often seen in images of this period. He is in wholly chaps and cowboy gear. Notice the tent walls behind him.

Much published and famous cabinet photograph of James "Jim" Masterson, younger brother of Bat Masterson. I waited all my life to own this image. First time I saw it reproduced was in a book of western characters I use to look at over and over again when I was 6, 7 or 8 years old. It was taken by D.B. Chase in Trinidad, Colorado in the 1880s. He was on the Police Force there at the time. See the last (tintype) image I posted just before this one for more of his outstanding record as a law enforcement officer. It is 100% original and from the Jim and Teressa Earl collection. 

1/9th plate tintype of Sam Bass on his horse in Texas. Identified on the back. More importantly, this image came from gang member Hank Underwood along with a whisky flash professionally inscribed " "A Birthday Vial. I am still your friend. Hank Underwood". The whisky flask is 100% right and further documented as is this image. Is is distant and small however.

Cabinet photograph of Ernest "Diamond Dick" St. Leon circa 1890. It is identified on the back "Diamond Dick"-Ranger- Killed 1899. The photographer was not noted.

CDV size small cabinet photograph  period identified as E. A. Maddrey, Wichita, Texas 1883 - Ranger (Texas Ranger). Photographer was J.L. Goben, Bonham, Texas.

Original CDV of the Mexican outlaw, Juan Nepomuceno Cortina Goseacochea (May 1824-Oct. 1894). The image was taken in the 1860s. He was a rancher, poitician, military leader, outlaw, and Mexican folk hero. As governor, he essentially controlled the Mexican state of Tamaulipas.
He hated the Anglo-American settlements on the Mexican borderlands and targeted the civilians in a failed "Cortina War" with militia he raised. The Texas Rangers, U.S. Army and locals from the Brownsville area easily defeated his militia in 1848.

In his second Cortina War in 1861, he joined Federal troops in the Civil War. He was SOUNDLY defeated by Confederate Capt. Santos Benavidos at the battle of Carrizo. He retreated back into Mexico. He did however, conduct guerrilla warfare against Texas for years to come. After the Civil War, the Yankee carpet Bag government during occupation by the U.S. Gov. rewarded Cortina for his support during the War.

During the Mexican Revolution he opposed President Diaz. Diaz had him arrested twice after he tried to raise an army against Diaz. Diaz ordered him to be executed. However, he was imprisoned, released under house arrest in 1890 and died on October, 1894.

Although The union Army protected him until after reconstruction, he was no hero in Texas. He was simply considered a murderer and outlaw.

Original (100% provenance) tintype is of Jesse Edwards James (Jesse James' son) with his cousin John Samuel. The tintype is from the album of the John James family in California who were the cousins of Jesse and Frank James. It is a unique image. Jesse Edwards James is seated on left. He is 16-18 years old here, as a guess. Taken in the 1890s.

Photograph circa 1886 of Henry N. Blake and his wife. Photograph taken by L.S. Hazeltine, Virginia City, Montana. It is signed on the back by him. I have compared signature to a letter I have signed by him on his stationary at the time. Blake was an Associate Justice of Montana Territory for four and 1/2 years appointed by President Grant serving from 1875 until 1885 .  He became the Chief Justice of the State Supreme Court from 1889-1893.  He continued to be a prominent attorney in Virginia City before and after his service on the Territorial and State Supreme Court. He also worked as a newspaper editor of the MONTANA POST in early days prior to Supreme Court services. He died in 1935 at age 97 in Boston, Massachusetts.   I have the 1887 original of Blake's Virginia City License as an attorney. It is signed by George Gohn who was a butcher, member of the Madison County government and former member of the Montana Vigilantes in the 1860s.

Dated 1910, this larger sized cabinet image is of Buffalo Bill standing beside his wagon marked OFFICE and TICKET OFFICE. Photographer is Allen Duffield. No location noted. Image is light which is typical of photograph taken outside in those times.

Large cabinet photograph taken outside the tents of a Buffalo Bill Wild West Show circa 1900-1910. No photographer's marks, location, or cowboy IDs. 11 are sitting on their horse. 4 are dismounted and next to their horse that they have trained to lie down. Image is a bit light as common of images taken outside.

This is a very rare cabinet image to obtain of the outlaw Frank Rand. It has been published but rarely (if ever) become available in original form in ANY condition. I obtained it with the image of him after he killed himself in his cell. They were among other materials of documentation on him. This image was taken after his capture showing him photographed with an UNLOADED gun. He was allowed to do this in order to raise money for his defense.

George Alexander Bruffey was a Livingston, Montana rancher. He also owned a Fish Creek general store and was a Butte miner. He was also involved with the Fish Creek Stage Station. He wrote an autobiography, "Eighty-one Years in the West"in 1925.  He also served as the Fish Creek Post Master from 1876-1889. Elected to the State Legislature in 1896. In later life active in the Society of Montana Pioneers. He died in 1928.

Attractive young woman identified as Mrs. Thad Sodders, Buffalo Bill Wild West Show, London, 1903. It is part of the Jas E. Hunt series of very large cabinet style photographs shown in this section. I believe they were made for the entertainers themselves and not meant for the public. Therefore, they are Unique.  See "Unidentified Couple" for more information and thoughts. She rides an outstanding black horse with three white stockings. They are in front of a painted backdrop.  Although strange to us, I believe women were not suppose to smile in photographs.

Very large cabinet style photograph by Jas. E. Hunt, London, England, dated on back as 1903. Also identified as Buffalo Bill Wild West Show, London. The beautiful girl is Mrs. Mary Phillips, wife of Cody Cowboy Ed Phillips. She is sitting side saddle on a fine, black horse in front of a painted background. I believe this and others were never meant for the public but were meant to be owned and framed for the entertainers shown. Unique image.

Wonderful, large cabinet style image by Jas. E. Hunt, London, England. Identified as Buffalo Bill Wild West Show, 1903. He is identified on the back as Bill McCloud. Bill is in full western, cowboy clothing with a Colt SAA in a holster on his ride side. He rides a large, beautiful, pure white horse. I believe this and others in series were never meant for the public. They were meant to be framed and owned by the entertainers themselves. Therefore, they are Unique. See "Unknown Couple" listed in this section for more details and thoughts.

This image is from a series of 7 very large, mounted images of Buffalo Bill Cody Wild West Show entertainers, men and women, all mounted on horses. Most are identified on the back but this is the only one that is not identified. The photographer was Jas. E. Hunt, 141 Clarendon Road, North Kensington, London, England. The series is dated as 1903.  They are both on beautiful horses and she is riding side saddle. The background is a painted prop. I do not think this photograph or the others were ever meant to be sold to the public. I think they were for the entertainers themselves and meant to be framed. I bought them at auction and they got very little play in that most of the mounts are damaged. I was delighted to obtain them as they show a part of the Cody show and the horsemen/horsewomen that has not been shown in this manner. I think they are unique and historical. They needed to be preserved and enjoyed here by others.

Large superior sized cabinet photograph of Capt. Jack Crawford, The Poet Scout. He has hand signed it.

Later copy of a cabinet photograph of Chief of Police, John Kemsey, Peoria, Ill. He was involved in the chase and capture of outlaw Frank Rande. Photographed in later life.

Male jury in Dayton, Nevada in 1882.  Under image is written "Thurlow Douglas and other members of the Mystic 12". Written on back is "Indian Trial at Dayton in November 1882 convicting Chas.  Genzel for murder of an Indian woman". Four men in photograph are numbered. They are:  1) Thurlow Douglas (Forman?), 2) John Damon, 3) William Roleno, and 4) William Penrose. Photo signed By H.V. Clints as photographer.  I have never seen another photograph of a western jury before so I was interested in buying it for my site here.

This is a nice group of four American Indians from a same family group. The two men were probably brothers. The seated man was Papa of the baby and husband of the young woman behind and beside him. The men wear buckskin costumes. The baby is in a elaborate shirt and Mom in a beautifully beaded dress. She holds a single shot rifle. The seated man wears some sort of ribbon and metal. The image is by Smith & Hodson, St. Marys, O. (Ohio). These groups generally worked for Wild West Shows or Patent Medicine Shows. They are a FINE looking group. The cabinet is an 1880s albumen.  There is no identification of who they are. 

Early stereo of the town Of Deadwood, Dakota Territory in 1870s, very early 1880s. It is by "Views in the Black Hills" and titled on the back. "Central City. Deadwood Gulch". It looks mostly the same when Hickok died there in 1876.

Two RPPC of a circa 1900-1910 execution. In the first one, prisoner is being escorted by two lawmen. He is in handcuffs. There are armed military guards behind them. In the second one, his coffin is being driven away in a wagon surrounded by a large crowd. There is no identifications on either image and no location.

Image taken in 1897 of the markers indicating where several of the soldiers were found after the Custer battle of the Little Big Horn in 1876. There is a lengthy description of the event and photo, much of which is sensationalism and nonsense. It is too lengthy to copy here. In the background you can see a photographer created shadow view of Bloody Knife, Sioux Indian, holding up a knife over the markers.  The description on the back portends it to be a real ghost image. "Seen more clearly than the eyes of man". Photograph is by Frank Purcell, Billings, Montana. 

Unidentified Cowboy Band Member. In ink on the back is North Platte, Nebraska. He holds a clarinet. He is dressed in shotgun chaps, boots, a western shirt, and small brim western style hat. Photographer is Von Goetz, North Platte, Neb. It dates circa 1900-1910.  I would suggest it is not a Wild West Show Band.

Studio cabinet circa 1890s of a young westerner. The cloths and boots are definitely his. The guns may not be as may have been provided by the photographer. Who knows? However, it is basically irrelevant in this case. He has on a nice bib shirt, western hat and cartridge belt. He is holding s standard 1886 Winchester rifle made for many years in many calibers for hunting. He has a hunting knife in his belt. The image is by C. Fritz but location is not on the mount.  On the back is the man's name. JAMES D. LAMAR.

This CDV is circa 1860s. In this time frame there was far less staging. I am certain the man is exactly what you see. He has on his buckskin coat and wears his shot bag and power flask. He is holding a percussion shotgun.

Large, horizonal cabinet photograph of the Civilian and mail stage out of Fort Grant, Arizona Territory in the 1880s. 4 mules pulling it. Driver and shotgun guard.  Image is by D.A. Markey, Fort Grant, Arizona. This is what, normally, a real stage coach looked like. Not like the ones in Hollywood movies. The were slow, dusty, bumpy and stiflingly HOT.

Albumen cabinet photograph of Jim Kid. He was a star performer for Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West Show in the 1880s and 1890s. He is wearing the metals he was rewarded for achievements as a  bucking horse rider. The image is signed by Kid himself and that is authenticated on the back of the mount. Photograph is by Anderson, NY. He was very famous in his venue and time.

This is an artfully done photograph of a man in a decorated buckskin or leather shirt. He has a black bandana around his next and tied in a bow. He is holding a single shot rife and wearing moccasins, and fringed pants. There is an identification on the back as "Capt. Jack Crawford" but I believe this is false. The image dates in the 1880-1890 period. 

Two cabinet photos I believe taken in the same session (although the mounts are a bit different). She is in the same dress, has the same shotgun belt, and has the same shotgun. Both are taken by H. J. Godfrey, Santa Cruz, Cal. One mount simply says Elite while the other says Elite Photo Studio. They may have been taken at the same time but published at different times as the mounts were changed. At any rate, she holds a double barrel shotgun and evidently was a wing shot, probably shooting clay pigeons or glass balls in exposition. She is not identified. Images date circa 1895-1905, my guess.
Few collectors showcase the ladies but they were some of the best riders and best shots with shotgun, rifle, and pistol in the Western show era. I like them very much and buy them when I can. They have an honored place on this site.

Here is another cabinet of the Indian that is next after this one. His Indian name is spelled phonically at the bottom and "Star".

Obviously staged cowboy cabinet card. Whoever the photographer was, he sure didn't know what a real cowboy looked like. What New Yorker ever did? He is wearing a cheap, checkered suite, has two Saturday Night specials in holsters (one turned BACKWARDS!), holding a .22 pump rifle, and wearing boots made more for a fireman than a cowboy. He is also wearing workman's gauntlets. Photo by R.G. Frank, Rochester, NY. Worth much less than most so don't pay much for these.