Bonnie & Clyde - Piece of Clyde's death pants

Bonnie & Clyde Historical Artifact
Swatch from Clyde Barrows Death Pants

Over the years I have never been attracted to collecting personal artifacts like celebrity clothing, strands of hair and other personal articles because unlike autographs there is really nothing that can be authenticated (unless DNA is involved). However, I am so impressed by the extraordinary provenance that comes with this historical item it was very easy for me to get excited. Below is the detailed description from the original owner.

Outlaw History for sale: this is a 1" swatch cut from the actual death trousers worn by Clyde Barrow on the day he and Bonnie Parker were ambushed near Gibsland, La. on May 23, 1934.

Clyde Barrows trousers and shirt that he wore that day were kept in the Barrow family until Butterfield & Butterfield auctioned off the bullet riddled shirt on April 14th 1997 in San Francisco - it fetched $85,000 (purchased by Whiskey Pete's Casino who also owns the actual death car) and the global media coverage was extensive. The trousers were cut into 870 swatches and affixed to ornate parchment like certificates numbered and hand signed by the late Marie Barrow, Clyde's sister. She co-authored the book, "The Family Story of Bonnie and Clyde," with Phillip Steele (book not included). I was Marie Barrow's business partner and we used to sell these swatch certificates through Old West magazine ads, Autograph Collector magazine ads, and memorabilia & gun shows until she passed away in 1999. This is one of the few of these limited edition certificates left. Near mint condition accompanied with a copy of the notarized certificate by Marie Barrow attesting to the authenticity of the item and the history of the artifact. Also included is a copy of a Tulsa World newspaper article interviewing Marie and making mention of her guest appearance at the Tulsa Book & Paper Fair on November 21, 1998 and stating that she would be selling the signed, limited edition swatch certificates!

** UPDATE: As many of you know this is the 50th anniversary of B&C's death. Hence, two biographies were just released including the critically acclaimed "Go Down Together: The True, Untold Story of Bonnie and Clyde" by Jeff Guinn. AND, in this book on page 259 it mentions this very "pants swatch" and how Clyde's sister partnered with a memorabilia dealer to cut his "death pants" into 800 pieces and offer each with a numbered certificate of authenticity. Yes, these swatches are mentioendin a Bonnie & Clyde best seller. Offered is number 236 out of the edition of 870. Size of certificate is 8 1/2 X 11".