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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 296

Sheriff Pat Garrett's Poker Chips ex-McNellis

Estimate: $1,500 - $2,500
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 red gambling poker chips owned by famous Sheriff Pat Garrett with documentation letters and is from the ex-collections of Pat Garrett, Jarvis Garrett, R.E.M. Western Relics, Robert “Bobby” McNellis, John McNellis and the Tombstone Western Heritage Museum. The poker chips have a carved symbol which is on both sides and has been identified as the Chinese symbol for Eternity or Forever. The items were recovered by Bobby and John McNellis from Pat Garrett’s son Jarvis Garrett from a gambling box with at least two letters from John McNellis referring to the pieces included. Patrick “Pat” Floyd Jarvis Garrett (1850-1908) was an American Old West lawman, bartender and customs agent best known for killing Billy the Kid. He was the Sheriff of Lincoln County, New Mexico, as well as Doña Ana County, New Mexico. Prior to becoming a lawman, Garrett was a bartender at Beaver Smith’s saloon in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. It was at the saloon that Garrett met and often gambled with William Bonney, better known as Billy the Kid. Provenance: Tombstone Western Heritage Museum, Tombstone, Arizona; ex-collection of Robert McNellis (Bobby McNellis / Bob McNellis) and John McNellis, R.E.M. Western Relics El Paso, Texas and El Paso Saddlery Co.; Jarvis P. Garrett (Pat Garrett’s youngest son); and Sheriff Pat Garrett. First a letter / note on the personal stationary of John McNellis and signed by him stating that enclosed is the chip from Pat F. Garrett’s gaming box and has the symbol drawn on it asking what it means. The next letter shows an image of some of the gambling box items, which these were included in (can be seen in the image as well); the letter is on El Paso Saddlery Co. stationary from John W. McNellis and states items, including the poker chips, came from Sheriff Pat F. Garrett’s personal gaming paraphernalia box which was authenticated and cam directly from Jarvis P. Garrett who was the youngest son of Pat. These were donated by John McNellis on his brother Bobby McNellis’s behalf to the Tombstone Western Heritage Museum. Each poker chip measures 1 9-16-inches in diameter. Two poker chips are included along with two letters. Museum number: LO-141; LO-135.

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