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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 393

Sheriff John H. Behan Tombstone, A.T. Signed Docs

Estimate: $800 - $1,300
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 two original circa 1882 Tombstone, Arizona Territory signed John H. Behan documents, who was the Sheriff and Tax Collector in Tombstone Cochise, County Arizona during the height of the Wyatt Earp and Cowboys time. John Harris Behan, also known as Johnny Behan, (1844-1912) served as Sheriff of Cochise County from April 1881 to November 1882. As so he was responsible for collecting prostitution, gambling, liquor, theater fees as well as taxes, for which he received 10%. As a result of his take from tax payments, Behan was accused of graft, though charges were never proven. These documents support his illustrious Sheriff and Tax carrier in Tombstone during the height of the Cowboys and Earps. First is the official government document from J.H. Behan Tombstone, A.T. 1882 which notes Behan as the Sheriff of the County of Cochise, Territory of Arizona submitting taxes for the Mortgage from E. Bullock on Lot 14 Block 32 assessed by G.O. Freed and William Morgan for $800 in 1881 with taxes of $28.42; at the bottom shows the original J.H. Behan signature. The second document is a check from Tombstone May 20th, 1882 for $100 On Sight to Chas. C. Clute (Charles C. Clute) (noted “with costs of collections by express”) from J. Liberman Willcox, A.T. signed on the front by Chas. C. Clut; the back is handwritten, “Pay to the order of J.H. Behan” signed by Chas. C. Clute and also signed by J.H. Behan. J. Liberman owned a mining company in Wilcox, Arizona Territory the J. Liberman & Co. (see the Wilcox token “For Hauling One Load J. Liberman & Co.” and the note in the 6-30-1886 Arizona Weekly Citizen stating J. Liberman & Co. (Wilcox) yesterday forwarded five cars – about 150,000 pounds – of copper bullion to Baltimore). Both documents are authentic originals. Thirdly included is a fine CDV (Carte de Visite) of Johnny Behan by J.H. Kent Photographer courtesy of Ron Herrick, this is a copy or reproduction from the original. Lastly the fourth item is a photograph of Albert Behan, son of John Behan, the photo was taken by Wyatt Earp at their mining camp in the Whipple Mountains near San Bernardino (Josie Earp befriended Albert while in Tombstone and they remained close friends all their lives). This is a modern printing taken from the original negative from the John D. Gilchriese collection. First document is 10.25-inches by 7.75-inches, check is 8-inches by 3.25-inches, small photo is 5 3/8-incehs by 3.25-inches and the larger photo is 7-inches by 5-inches. For example of value see the closest item sold the Tombstone Arizona John H. Behan signed document sold by Heritage Auctions in June 11, 2016, for $1,875. Museum numbers in order: TTD-32, TTD-157, and TTP-6.

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