North American Auction Company
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Timeless Treasures: 19th C. Native, Western Photographs & French Elegance

Sat, Sep 13, 2025 11:00AM EDT
  2025-09-13 11:00:00 2025-09-13 11:00:00 America/New_York North American Auction Company North American Auction Company : Timeless Treasures: 19th C. Native, Western Photographs & French Elegance https://live.naabid.com/auctions/north-american-auction/timeless-treasures-19th-c-native-western-photographs-french-elegance-20467
Join us Saturday, September 13th at 9am MT in Bozeman, MT for Timeless Treasures: 19th C. Native, Western Photographs & French Elegance. This exceptional auction features a remarkable collection of 19th-century Native American artifacts, rare Western photography by Haynes, Huffman, and other Montana photographers, and an impressive selection of 18th-century French furniture. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to acquire historic and elegant treasures. Browse the full catalog at live.naabid.com
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Lot 68

E.S. Paxson Photo - Butte Spanish American War

Estimate: $1,200 - $1,800
Starting Bid
$250

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
The lot features three original photographs of three members of the 1st Montana Butte Volunteer Infantry who fought in the Spanish-American War 1898 including Edgar Samuel Paxson (1852-1919) historic Montana artist and his sons Harry M. Paxson and Robert C. Paxson. Further the collection includes an E.S. Paxson owned antique silver tobacco box with rattlesnake rattles inside and the book E.S. Paxson: E.S. Paxson Frontier Artist” by William Edgar Paxson, JR. All of this is from the Paxson family collection and ex-museum out of Eastern Montana collection and was accompanied by the E.S. Paxson original work of art found in the previous lot. The first image on the far right shows Edgar Samuel Paxson in full uniform, taken later in his life at Butte, Montana. E.S. Paxson was raising his four children with wife Laura Millicent Johnson Paxson in Deer Lodge, Montana until the Spanish-American War broke out in 1898. At the age of 46, Paxson led Company “G” of the Butte Volunteers into battle in the jungles of Manila. According to records for Company G from the 1st Montana Volunteer Infantry / Butte Volunteers who fought in the Spanish American War the troop included father and officer 1st Lieutenant E.S. Paxson, son Robert Paxson Hospital Steward, and youngest son Harry M. Paxson as troop Bugler / Musician. The middle image shows Harry M. Paxson when he was the Bugler for Company G Butte, Montana wearing his infantry cap with “B.S.B.” over company “G” hat insignia. Photo was taken by Brennan Photographic Art Studio in Montana. Lastly the far left image shows Robert C. Paxson, son of E.S. Paxson in full uniform. The framed piece shows three original photographs which once removed from the frame show the original fountain pen written early 1900’s tag marked, “’The Three Guardsmen’ Lieut. E. S. Paxson S.A.W. Bugler H.M. Paxson S.A.W. ‘Lieut’ Robt. C. Paxson A.E.E.” The E.S. Paxson photograph is likely by R.H. McKay of Missoula, Montana (Rollin H. McKay 1880-1965), but is not signed. Photographs of Paxson are rare with this being a fine example. The silver box shows all four Gambler Card Suits and is engraved “F.J.M.” The box is stamped inside WND (triangle) Silver on the inside. This is a Tobacco plug box or Tobacco snuff box from the late-19th-century to early 20th-century. There are two mature Montana Rattlesnake rattles inside the box as well. All of these are from the Paxson family and were said to be owned directly by E.S. Paxson. Also included is the book, “E. S. Paxson: Frontier Artist” by William Edgar Paxson, Jr. Hardcover 1984 that is brand-new old stock still in the wrappings. Edgar Samuel Paxson (April 25, 1852 – November 9, 1919) was a notable Montana artist of the American frontier, scout, soldier who was based in Montana. Paxson was on the frontier before Frederic Remington and Charles M. Russell. He arrived in Montana in 1877 when Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce Indians were warring their way through Cananda. He is best known for his portraits of Native Ameircans int he Old West and for his depiction of the Battle of the Little Bighorn in his painting, “Custer’s Last Stand”. Paxson became a close friend of Russell, who arrived in Montana in 1880, and the two men became the state's most famous early or pioneer resident artists. Among the things they shared was a mutual pride at being self-taught and a love of expressing aspects of Montana's frontier history. Some of his most sought-after work are his small watercolors. In 1881, he settled in Butte, where he found more lucrative business, and in 1905, he settled in Missoula. He deployed with Company G Butte 1st Montana Volunteer Infantry in 1895 in the Spanish American War with his sons. His work is highly desirable with many of his most notable pieces on permanent display at the Montana Capitol Building in Helena, Montana. The frame measures 14-inches by 8.5-inches. The photo area of each of the three photos are each 4 5/8-inches by 2.75-inches (x3). The book is 12.5-inches by 9.25-inches. The silver box is 3.5-inches by 2.5-inches by 1.25-inches.

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