North American Auction Company
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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 256

Ca. 1881 Tombstone, Gaming License signed by Clum

Estimate: $2,500 - $3,500
Starting Bid
$850

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 this Tombstone, gaming license signed by John Clum circa 1881 License # 469-470-471; Provenance: From the Tombstone Western Heritage Museum in Tombstone, Arizona. This is a gaming license for the city of Tombstone, Cochise County, A.T. with City License letterhead from the City Auditor's Office for three months to play 3 Faro Games for a total fee of $105.00 and is signed by the mayor at the time John Clum. John Philip Clum (1851–1932) was a multifaceted figure in the American West, notably recognized for his roles as a newspaper editor, mayor, and Indian agent. Born in Claverack, New York, Clum attended Rutgers College before venturing westward in 1871 to join the meteorological service in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Clum's civic engagement deepened when he was elected as Tombstone's first mayor in January 1881. During his tenure, he appointed Virgil Earp as the town marshal and implemented policies such as taxing brothels to fund educational initiatives. The "Epitaph" under Clum's leadership notably covered the infamous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral on October 26, 1881, with a headline stating, "Three Men Hurled Into Eternity in the Duration of a Moment." The license comes with an original museum tag that reads as follows: 1881 City License for 3 Faro Games, stamp signed by John Clum. The condition of this Tombstone Gaming License is well preserved with no obvious signs of damage to the license and only shows some browning to the license due to age but otherwise shows a well preserved condition. The measurements of this gaming license is 4 1/2" x 7 3/4". TTD-22

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