North American Auction Company
Live Auction

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.
North American Auction Company tucker@naabid.com
Lot 347

The San Francisco Call Wyatt Earp Boxing Match

Estimate: $800 - $1,200
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
For your consideration are two pages from The San Francisco Call newspaper from the December 8th, 1896 printing, detailing Wyatt Earps controversial refereeing call at the Bob Fitzsimmons and Tom Sharkey boxing Match. The article recounts Wyatt Earp's controversial nomination as referee for the Bob Fitzsimmons vs. Tom Sharkey boxing contest, focusing on claims of fraud and collusion. According to the report, Earp was covertly chosen as the referee many days before the fight, despite public statements that the decision would not be made until both fighters' camps agreed. It accuses a group of people, including newspaper editors and gaming executives, of manipulating the selection to influence the fight's outcome. Earp's intimate contacts to recognized gamblers and shady personalities heightened concerns. His handling of the match sparked great outrage, particularly when he judged in favor of Sharkey under questionable circumstances. Furthermore, the story states that Earp was later attached (a legal phrase suggesting financial claims against him) for a debt relating to attorneys' costs for those participating in fraudulent schemes. The story targets the San Francisco Examiner, claiming that it helped cover up the corruption behind Earp's appointment and the fight. The article portrays Earp as being deeply involved in scandalous activities, including gambling, crooked horse races, and fraudulent enterprises. It implies that Earp's involvement in the bout and his whole reputation should be thoroughly investigated. The newspaper features a caricature of Earp and another man who appears to be a journalist, painted out to be greedy and unlawful. Also included are various advertisements as well as other news articles such as "President Cleveland's Final Message to Congress". It shows good condition overall with little wear present and no signs of damage noted. the visible newspaper pages measure 22 3/4" L x 17 1/8" W, while the entire piece measures 27 3/8" L x 39 3/8" W x 1 1/4" D. It weighs 11 pounds and 8 ounces. Provenance: From the Tombstone Western Heritage Museum in Tombstone, Arizona

All items will ship at our North American Auction Company in-house shipping department. Please allow up to 14-21 days after a complete invoice payment is made to package and ship your purchase. After you are notified of your winning bids from our company and your item invoice is paid in full our new shipping department will contact you. Make sure when signing up with our company that your preferred shipping information is up to date as this information will be used to estimate shipping cost. Once the items have been packaged our team will contact you for shipping payment. Shipping invoices and payment will be completely separately than the items invoice. Please notify the shipping department with any alternate request or instructions at mark@naabid.com or 800-686-4216 ext. 3. For a shipping quote please contact the same information above. PLEASE NOTE a shipping quote price can fluctuate in price. Auction company is not responsible for actual shipping cost being higher than quoted shipping cost. Thank you for trusting North American Auction Co. with your bids and shipping. As our shipping department is brand new please understand that delays can be expected.