This is an incredibly rare original hand signed John W. ‘Captain Jack’ Crawford (1847-1917) first edition book and signed etching in a rare Post-Civil War GAR frame. The book is hand signed by the author. The book represented in this lot is a first edition “The Broncho Book” by Captain Jack Crawford from 1908. The 1st Edition is self-Copyrighted by John Wallace Crawford in 1908 and the title page is marked, “The Broncho Book / Being Buck-Jumps in Verse by Captain Jack Crawford / Roped for relief of the author, the divertissement of tenderfeet, and the joy of all those who love God’s Great Out-of-Doors / Our Brand / Corralled into a volume by The Roycrofters at their Book Ranch, which is in East Aurora, on Buffalo Creek – Nineteen Hundred and Eight”. Captain Jack Crawford was one of the finest Western Army scout during the Indian Wars who later enjoyed a career as “The Poet Scout”, playwright, short story author, and entertainer. He rose to international fame as one of the stars of the Buffalo Bull Wild West show as it traveled the world and was close friends with William Frederick “Buffalo Bill” Cody. He was a master storyteller of the Wild West and is known as one of the most popular American performers of the late 19th Century. The book is leather bound and is inscribed with a message to H.S. and M. Wiggans and signed “With Love & Blessing of you and J.W. Crawford aka Jack Nov. 1908”. The lot also includes an original etching portrait of Jack Crawford which is hand signed “Your Friend J.W. Crawford a.k.a Jack.". The etching is set into a rare cast iron Post-Civil War circa 1865-1880’s GAR frame showing crossed swords or sabers at each side, two crossed cannons at the base and a Bald Eagle above two USA flags, trumpets and a drum. The GAR was the Grand Army of the Republic, a fraternal organization of veterans of the Union Army from the American Civil War. These are truly wonderful pieces of early American West history and are authentic originals. Captain Jack signed items are increasingly scarce and highly desired with a signed Captain Jack Crawford cabinet card fetching $1,800 at the 4/20/2013 Early American History Auctions, Inc. sale and signed first editions fetching $650 such as the example in Old Heritage Auctions (Heritage Auctions or HA) 10/26/2006 sale. The frame measures 9.25" x 6.5"
Condition
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