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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 167

Rare C.S. Fly Boudoir Card, "Apache Scouts"

Estimate: $5,000 - $7,000
Starting Bid
$400

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
For your consideration is this Rare Original C. S. Fly Boudoir Card of "Apache Scouts", circa 1886. Provenance: Tombstone Western Heritage Museum, Tombstone, Arizona. Camillus "Buck" Sydney 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, 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, 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. The Apache Scouts were part of the United States Army Indian Scouts. Most of their service was during the Apache Wars, between 1849 and 1886. The Apache scouts were the eyes and ears of the United States military and sometimes the cultural translators for the various Apache bands and the Americans. Apache scouts also served in the Navajo War, the Yavapai War, the Mexican Border War and they saw stateside duty during World War II. This Gold Gilt Edge Boudoir Card shows twenty-two Apache Scouts and their U.S. Army Officer in front of pitched Army tents most likely from Brigadier General George Crook's encamped army. Reverse has Fly's studio stamp in purple ink, "FLY'S GALLERY, TOMBSTONE, ARIZ. C. S. Fly, Proprietor." A Tombstone Western Heritage Museum label is affixed to the face of the clear protective plastic sleeve, "APACHE SCOUTS C. S. FLY, photographer", museum code, "P-33." Boudoir card is in overall good condition, slight scuffing noted on edges. Card measures 5.25"W x 8.5"L, plastic sleeve is 6.25"W x 9.25"L, combined weight is U6.

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