North American Auction Company
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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 148

Tombstone T.W.H.M. Virgil Earp Badge Museum Copy

Estimate: $2,500 - $4,500
Starting Bid
$850

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
Featured in this lot is this Tombstone T.W.H.M. (Tombstone Western Heritage Museum) Virgil Earp badge museum copy; Provenance: From the Tombstone Western Heritage Museum in Tombstone, Arizona. This is a framed museum copy of Virgil Earps badge taken from a mold of the original according to Tombstone Heritage Museum only 25 of these museum copies were made the badge shows a semi-scroll design with "Constable" on the front and a five pointed star dangling from the badge proper. The museum tag at the bottom reads as follows: Badge of Virgil Earp - Tombstone, Az. 1881 - Colton, Ca. 1887. The badge is displayed in a gold painted wooden frame. Virgil Earp was both deputy U.S. Marshal and City Marshal of Tombstone, Arizona, when he led his younger brothers Wyatt and Morgan, and Doc Holliday, in a confrontation with outlaw Cowboys at the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral on October 26, 1881. They killed brothers Tom and Frank McLaury and Billy Clanton. All three Earp brothers had been the target of repeated death threats made by the Cowboys who were upset by the Earps' interference in their illegal activities. All four lawmen were charged with murder by Ike Clanton, who had run from the gunfight. During a month-long preliminary hearing, Judge Wells Spicer exonerated the men, concluding they had been performing their duty. The condition of this Virgil Earp constable badge is well preserved with some patina to the badge but otherwise shows a well preserved condition. The measurements of this framed badge is 12 7/8" x 9 3/4" and the badge measures 2 3/8" x 1 7/8". The collective weight of this framed badge is 1lb 4oz. E100

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