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Tombstone Western Heritage Museum Auction: The Earp Brothers & Cowboys

Sat, Jul 26, 2025 11:00AM EDT
  2025-07-26 11:00:00 2025-07-26 11:00:00 America/New_York North American Auction Company North American Auction Company : Tombstone Western Heritage Museum Auction: The Earp Brothers & Cowboys https://live.naabid.com/auctions/north-american-auction/tombstone-western-heritage-museum-auction-the-earp-brothers-cowboys-20021
Join North American Auction Company on July 26th for a once-in-a-lifetime auction of the Tombstone Western Heritage Museum Collection. This extraordinary sale features the largest private collection of Tombstone history, including rare and historic pieces tied to Wyatt Earp, the Earp Brothers, and the infamous Cochise Cowboys. From original artifacts, outlaw relics, and the largest collection of C.S. Fly photographs, this is a can’t-miss event for collectors of the Old West’s most legendary chapter.
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Lot 181

C.S. Fly Geronimo & Natches Cabinet Card 1886

Estimate: $6,000 - $9,000
Starting Bid
$1,500

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $5
$50 $10
$100 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$25,000 $2,500
$100,000 $5,000
Featured in this lot is an Extremely Rare Geronimo and Natchez Cabinet Card by C. S. Fly, 1886. Provenance: Tombstone Western Heritage Museum, Tombstone, Arizona. Rare image of the two Apache Chiefs while they were banded together to fight against forced relocation to the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation in Arizona. The above image was taken by C.S. Fly during the surrender negotiations before they were imprisoned at Fort Marion in St. Augustine, Florida. Fly's photographs were the only images taken at the event. Camillus "Buck" Sydney Fly (CS Fly, C. S. Fly, C S Fly, Buck Fly) was an Old West photographer and lawman who is regarded by some as an early photojournalist and who captured the only known images of Native Americans while they were still at war with the United States. His photographs are legendary and highly prized. Based in Tombstone, Arizona Territory, C.S. Fly documented the peace treaty between Apache Chief Geronimo and the U.S. Army in 1886, as well as other iconic moments of the Old West. Fly gained access to some of the most iconic names of the 19th century: Apache Chief Geronimo and the bandits behind the shootout at the O.K. Corral. Without his studio in the notorious boomtown of Tombstone, Arizona Territory, we would be sorely lacking some dimension to our ideas of the frontier. While Fly didn't get any photographs of the actual gunfight which only lasted approximately 30 seconds, he did manage to capture both the outlaws and the lawmen on film before and after the bloodshed. Fly also served as Cochise County Sheriff from 1895 to 1897. Gerónimo (1829-1909) was a military leader and medicine man from the Bedonkohe band of the Ndendahe Apache people. From 1850 to 1886, Geronimo joined with members of three other Central Apache bands – the Tchihende, the Tsokanende (called Chiricahua by Americans) and the Nednhi – to carry out numerous raids, as well as fight against Mexican and U.S. military campaigns in the northern Mexico states of Chihuahua and Sonora and in the southwestern American territories of New Mexico and Arizona. The attached Tombstone Western Heritage Museum label on the face of the clear protective plastic sleeve, "GERONIMO & NATCHES C. S. FLY VIEW No. 171 Geronimo and Natches mounted. Natches with hat on; son of Geronimo standing by his side. This group was taken by special request of Geronimo. This photo was taken before his surrender to Gen. Crook, March 27th, 1886." Museum code on the top right, "IN-27", marked at lower left with C.S. Fly's handstamp, dated copyright 1886 , "C.S. Fly, Tombstone, Ariz.". Handwritten on face centre bottom , "W. S. Dunshee". Reverse side has attached description, "SCENE IN GERONIMO'S CAMP, The Apache Outlaw and Murderer. Taken before the surrender to Gen. Crook, March 27, 1886, in the Sierra Madre mountains of Mexico. Escaped March 30, 1886. No. 171 - Geronimo and Natches mounted, Natches with his hat on; son of Geronimo standing by his side. This group was taken by special request of Geronimo. The requirements of law having been complied with, all persons are warned not to copy this photograph. Address all orders to C. S. Fly, Portrait and Landscape Photographer, Tombstone, Arizona." Museum code at top right corner of plastic sleeve, "IN27". Bottom border on reverse has handwritten in ink illegible names. Cabinet Card is in preserved condition, age tanning, scuffing on edges, staining and corner bent exhibited. Cabinet Card measures 5.5"W x 8.5"L, sleeve is 6.375"W x 9.25"L. Weight is U6.

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