Old Western Wild West Buffalo Bill Cody Memorabilia Collectibles For Sale
Buffalo Bill's Wild West & Congress of Rough Riders
Official Show Program, 1898
Amazing Historical Find. Exceptionally RARE Original 1898 Program for Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. In incredible condition for its nearly 124+ years !
* See enlargeable images above and below
NOTE: We also have a Rare 1910 Program. See below under "Other Rare Vintage Treasures You Might Like"
Very rare and important, original, 1898 Program from “Buffalo Bill’s Wild West and Congress of Rough Riders of the World” with chromolithograph covers and containing the original, "Official Program" / Play Bill for performances in "Greater New York" which makes up the initial 8 pages. Also included is a single sheet Handbill titled “Programme. / Buffalo Bill’s Wild West” that gives an abbreviated listing of the schedule of acts along with a period, manuscript note from the original owner giving details of their attendance at the performance where the Program was purchased.
This rare and wonderful program from Buffalo Bill’s Traveling Extravaganza measures approx. 7 1/4” x 9 1/2” and contains 82 pages (including the "Official Program") of text and illustrations relating to the show, its’ history, Buffalo Bill’s past as the Chief of the U.S. Army Scouts, the American West, Indian Fighting, Cowboys and many other aspects of the performers and the show. It is titled on the cover "Buffalo Bill's Wild West and Congress of Rough Riders of the World/ Historical Sketches and Programme". In 1898, this chromolithograph cover "Program" was not only an Advance Courier but was also the "Official Program" and contained the complete schedule of events that made up the Show.
The front cover of the program is beautifully chromolithographed and includes a portrait of William “Buffalo Bill” Cody surrounded by scenes from the Show and portraits of the various “types“ who made up the “Congress of Rough Riders of the World”. There is a large illustration at the bottom of Native American Indians fighting cowboys and small illustrations of the head of a bison and of Indians paddling canoes through a mountain landscape. The back cover features a wonderful, chromolithograph illustration featuring a map of the route of the European Tour of the Wild West Show along with vignette images of performers and show scenes.
As mentioned above, the first 8 pages of the Program features a complete "Play Bill" - a Schedule of the Performances that made up the Show in 1898 during the appearances in the area in and around New York City. The interior pages also include portraits of Annie Oakley, Johnnie Baker, Sitting Bull, White Cloud, etc. along with an artists rendition of the aftermath of the "Battle" at Wounded Knee (better termed the Wounded Knee Massacre).
Also included with the Program is an Extremely RARE single sided, paper Handbill titled “Programme. / Buffalo Bill’s Wild West” that measures approx. 5 1/4” by 8”. It features a somewhat abbreviated “Play Bill” - a Schedule of the Acts in various fonts highlighting what were certainly some of the most “exciting” tableaux / performances presented.
Exciting Terrific Original written Provenance!
Tipped onto the final leaf of the Program is a 5” by 3”, manuscript note apparently written by the original owner of the Program. This note reads “Went with Mrs. C. H. McClellan, Helen G. Smart, Miss M. Young, Miss Kate Wemyss and Miss Ester Wemyss. / Buffalo Bill’s Wild West / June 13, 1898 / Fine time”.
Condition:
This very rare and fascinating, 1898 Buffalo Bill's Wild West and Congress of Rough Riders of the World Program is printed on a delicate paper stock and bound in its original, chromolithographed paper wrappers which are in very good condition. Both covers are present but with chipping at the spine end and soiling / water stains as can be seen in the scans below. The front cover has some other light edge wear and the rear cover has a very old tape repair as can also be seen in the scans below. The interior pages are in very good to excellent condition - complete and tight and generally clean and crisp but with a thin water stain along the top edge of the early leaves.
The separately printed, Advertising Handbill for the Show has wear and chipping at the upper right hand corner, top edge and top portion of the left hand edgewith some loss to the title as can be seen in the scans below. The manuscript note that is tipped onto the final leaf is clean and crisp and well preserved.
This type of Official Program from Buffalo Bill’s Wild West traveling Extravaganza - especially those that include the Show's Play Bill - is VERY rare and VERY desirable.
You won't see this anywhere else but Cvtreasures !
Note: Cvtreasures stamp Not on original
