Lot 633

Rare Mollie Fly Letter re: Sonora Earthquake 1887

Estimate: $500 - $750

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
Presented in this lot is a Mollie Fly Letter Regarding the Sonora Earthquake, 1887. Provenance: Tombstone Western Heritage Museum, Tombstone, Arizona. Camillus "Buck" Sydney Fly (CS Fly, C. S. Fly, C S Fly, Buck Fly) married Mary ("Mollie") Goodrich in 1879. Both were skillful photographers who then moved to Tombstone, Arizona Territory that December. C.S. 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, 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. On May 3, 1887, a devastating 7.6 magnitude struck Sonora, Mexico and caused 42 casualties in the town of Bavispe. It was the only historical earthquake to cause considerable damage in Arizona. Dr. George E. Goodfellow in Tombstone, Arizona Territory rode 140 kilometers (87 mi) with medical supplies to aid survivors. Goodfellow went with Tombstone photographer Camillus Sidney Fly to study and record the effects of the earthquake. He covered over 700 miles (1,100 km) on horseback but mostly on foot through the Sierra Madre Oriental mountains recording his observations. His report included the first surface rupture map of an earthquake in North America and photographs of the rupture scarp by C.S. Fly. The earthquake was at the time the "longest recorded normal-fault surface rupture in historic time". His report was later described as an "outstanding study" and a "pioneering achievement". Mollie's letter dated May 14, 1887 is addressed to Charles Gage in Tombstone and mentions the continuing shaking (aftershocks) and requests that her "new dishes in the south room" be put on the floor "before they get shaken off". Tombstone Western Heritage Museum labels on the face of the clear protective plastic sleeve read, "C. S. Fly & Dr. Goodfellow Went down to Bavispa, Mex. to help After the devastating earthquake", and "Letter discussing the Bavispa Earthquake", museum code, "D-02". The letter and envelope are in good overall condition displaying age tanning and slight foxing. The unfolded letter measures 7.875"W x 9.875"W, clear sleeve is 8.875"W x 11.25"L. Weight is U6.

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