How to Sell Your Buffalo Bill Cody Autograph

To auction, sell or consign your Buffalo Bill autograph & memorabilia, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (NateDSanders.com).

Who Was Buffalo Bill?

Buffalo Bill Cody was an animated figure from the American Wild West, who is best-known for his Buffalo Bill Wild West show established in 1883. Cody worked as a pony express rider as well as a Union soldier during the American Civil War earlier in his life. The Buffalo Bill show was a traveling attraction that drew thousands of people each day. Shows typically lasted a few hours and consisted of an opening parade, rodeos, historical reenactments, races and prominent performers such as Annie Oakley or Calamity Jane. The show went bankrupt in 1913, but generated an interest in the American West such as rodeos, western films and circuses that still permeate our culture today.

Lot of Three Signed Checks — Sold for $3,750

Lot of three checks signed by William F. Cody, otherwise known as Buffalo Bill. All checks are completed in Cody’s hand from the 1880s, drawn on Charles McDonald, Banker based in North Platte, Nebraska. Lot includes:

1) Check dated 12 June 1889 for $200.00 to John Reuben Chapin, signed ”W.F. Cody”.

2) Check dated 11 April 1884 for $50.00 to W.H. Tucker, an associate of Cody’s who lived in N. Platte, and who survived a famous saloon shooting. Signed ”W.F. Cody”.

3) Check dated 9 April (year not noted) for $50.00 to L.J. Jager, possibly of the Jager (or Yager) family who had ties to Cody. Signed ”W.F. Cody”.

Buffalo Bill Cody Cabinet Photo Signed — Sold for $2,262

William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody signed cabinet photo, capturing, in full cowboy regalia, the American frontier scout and entertainment mogul whose Wild West Show defined the image of the untamed West. Signed upon the mount “W.F. Cody / ‘Buffalo Bill’ / To Mr. J.G. Fraser / 1910″. Photograph is published by Repro Photo (identified in negative at lower right). Tack hole at top and small loss at bottom not affecting signature, likely from a second tack. Image measures 4″ x 5.5″; matting measures 6″ x 9”. Overall in very good plus condition, with an especially sharp image and bold writing. Sold for $2,262.

Signed 1899 Biography — Sold for $1,513

Buffalo Bill Cody signed first edition of ”Last of the Great Scouts”. Duluth Press Publishing Co.: Chicago: 1899. Inscription on title page reads: ”To Olivia Marie Phelps / from / W.F. Cody ‘Buffalo Bill’ / July 10th 1909”. This 296 page hardcover by Cody’s sister includes 16 illustration plates and details the life of the famous Wild West showman. Illustrations by Frederic Remington and E.W. Deming. Measures 5.5” x 8”. Light shelf wear, rip on bottom edge of dedication page with tape on back and minor staining to some pages. Overall in very good condition. Sold for $1,513.

Photo Signed The Year Before His Death — Sold for $1,220

Buffalo Bill signs a photo of himself donning Western regalia during the last year of his life. He inscribes: ”W. F. Cody / ‘Buffalo Bill’ / 1916” in heavy black ink to the lowermost section. Buffalo Bill’s wild west reenactment shows were a fixture of early 20th century culture. Measures 4” x 5”. Toning, light soiling and mounted to paper. Very good condition. Sold for $1,220.

Signed Photo Dated 1911 — Sold for $1,172

”Buffalo Bill” Cody signed portrait of himself upon his horse with rifle in hand. The Wild West man signs in blue ink, ”W.F. Cody / ‘Buffalo Bill’ / To Simon B. Harris / May 26th 1911”. Original photo from the early 1900’s has an Elmer Chickering blindstamp; the Chickering Studio in Boston took several well-known photos of Cody. 5.75” x 6.5” photo is in fine condition, matted to a size of 10” x 11.5”. Outer edges of mat are chipped and torn, not affecting photo or signature. Writing extends past the photo onto approximately .5” of the mat; fortunately this portion of the mat has no toning. A stunning signed image that brings the Wild West alive. Sold for $1,172.

Typed Letter Signed From 1903 — Sold for $938

Buffalo Bill typed letter signed ”W.F. Cody” and dated 23 October 1903. Letter is typed on ”Buffalo Bill’s Wild West” stationery from Burton-on-Trent, as the entertainer brought his show to England at various points in his career. Reads in full: ”To Whom It May Concern, This is to certify that the bearer W.H. Goodnough has been in the employ of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West during the past ten months and has performed all the duties assigned to him in a satisfactory manner. Buffalo Bills Wild West Company, [signed] W.F. Cody”. Letter on one page measures 8.5” x 10.75”. Also includes a group photo of various employees posing in front of a horse with a handwritten name and ”Buffalo Bill Show” written in an unknown hand. Archival repairs at various spots along folds and minor toning throughout. Very good. Sold for $938.

Signed Ticket to His Wild West Show — Sold for $916

William “Buffalo Bill” Cody signed ticket to his Wild West show in 1899. Cody signs the ticket “WF Cody” prominently in pencil on the “Compliments of” line. The ticket is titled “Buffalo Bill’s Wild West and Congress of Rough Riders of the World”, which was the name of Cody’s show beginning in 1893. Measures 4.75″ x 2.25″. Full ticket is in near fine condition. Sold for $916.

Autograph Letter Signed on ”Cody Enterprise” Stationery — Sold for $916

‘Buffalo Bill” Cody autograph letter signed from 1911. Letter on his ”Cody Enterprise” newspaper stationery reads in part: ”My Dear Eli & [illegible]…the land you wanted was on a school section. I drove over the land and it would have been just what you wanted & thought it strange that no one had taken it before. Now I know the reason its a school section. I feel sorry on your account. I sent up to Carter Ranch an old buggy, thinking perhaps Eddie could fix it up so that you could have a buggy…W.F. Cody / I will be at North Platte [Nebraska] February 19th & 20th / After that – Hoffman House New York City”. Single-page letter measures 8.5” x 11”, matted in canvas and framed to an overall size of 26.25” x 21.5”. Near fine. Sold for $916.

To auction, sell or consign your Buffalo Bill autograph & memorabilia, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (NateDSanders.com).

FAQs

How do I consign or sell my Buffalo Bill autograph?
It’s never been easier to sell your Buffalo Bill autograph at Nate D. Sanders Auctions. Email a description and images of your item to [email protected] and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can with a free appraisal.

This sounds great and I’d like to move forward. What’s the consignment process like at Nate D. Sanders Auctions?
We’ll send you more information about our auction house along with an agreement to review. Your item will appear in our next auction. Unlike many auction houses, we hold monthly auctions and pay you within an industry-leading 45 days following the auction.

What factors determine the value of a Buffalo Bill autograph?
The value of your autograph can vary based on condition and subject matter.