1890s Rare BUFFALO BILL CODY Wyoming PAPERWEIGHT Signed Mayor GEORGE T. BECK

Description: 1890s Buffalo Bill paperweight with a significant personal association Rare and remarkable souvenir paperweight depicting William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody and Brigadier General Nelson A. Miles on horseback, made by the Abrams Paper Weight Co., Pittsburgh, 1890s, fused glass featuring a printed halftone image against a white background, 4" x 2-1/2" x 7/8", marked beneath the image "Abrams Paper Weight Co., Pittsburgh, Pa,, Pat. Nov. 29 92." Save for a pinpoint surface flaw on one of the longer sides, the paperweight is in very fine condition, with no cracks, chips, or scratches. Signed in ink on the reverse, "G. T. Beck, Manager, Shoshone Irrigation Co., Cody, Wyo., Big Horn Basin." (While the ink flow and adhesion are a bit uneven, no doubt the result of the unconventional writing surface, the writing is generally legible and the ink stable.) The source for this image is a well-documented photo taken by photographer John C. H. Grabill (1849–1903) on January 16, 1891, titled (per the National Archives) "Brig. Gen. Nelson A. Miles and Buffalo Bill viewing hostile Indian camp near Pine Ridge Agency, South Dakota." The designer of this paperweight exercised a bit of artistic license by flipping the image horizontally—Cody, with upraised arm, was originally on the left, not on the right as shown here—and, more dramatically, by depicting the pair perilously close to the edge of a steep cliff, a feature completely lacking in the original photo. George T. Beck (1856–1943), born in Kentucky as son of U.S. Senator James B. Beck, moved to Leadville, Colorado to capitalize on the Colorado Silver Boom in 1877 and settled in Wyoming Territory two years later. There he became successful in a number of ventures, including flour mills, an electric plant, and a fuel company. In the mid 1890s Beck, with a number of partners, including legendary showman William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody, undertook his most ambitious project: the Shoshone Land and Irrigation Co., which spearheaded a massive effort (including building a canal) to bring water to Wyoming's Big Horn Basin. Capitalizing on the fame of its marquee investor, the company named the town they founded Cody, providing an irresistible draw for new settlers—and new money. Beck oversaw day-to-day operations of the fledgling town, which became his permanent home, and served as the last president of the Wyoming Territorial Council. While he lost Cody's first election for mayor, he won the second, serving in that capacity in 1902–03. Following an unsuccesful run for governor in 1902, he served as a Democratic delegate in the 1904 and 1908 presidential elections and was a member of the Wyoming Senate from 1913–17. He died of a heart attack at his home in Cody at the age of 87. A unique relic for the advanced collector of Wyoming history or Old West memorabilia! IMPORTANT NOTE ON SHIPPING—PLEASE READ. I'm not a fan of fine print and disclaimers, but a number recent developments have contributed to likely delays in shipping: 1) Changes at the USPS have resulted in longer shipping times, particularly to more distant destinations (i.e., the south, midwest, and west). Please take this into account. I generally ship using the least expensive class that's appropriate, but I will gladly make arrangements please contact me immediately—I am happy to assist. 2) Most sellers are now required to enroll in eBay's Managed Payments program. As part of this program, eBay holds every buyer's payment for two business days before releasing it to the seller. This means that if you pay late on a Thursday night, your payment will not clear until at least Tuesday. If you pay on a Monday morning, your payment will not clear until at least Wednesday. Again, please take this into account. In case of any issues or problems, please contact me before opening a request or dispute. As my long feedback record makes clear, I strive to provide accuracy in descriptions, great care in packaging and shipping, and excellent customer service. Contacting me directly first to resolve questions or issues greatly speeds up the process and ensures greatest satisfaction. PAYMENT/SHIPPING: Successful U.S. bidder pays for carefully packed and insured USPS Ground Advantage shipping. Please see my other auctions for rare and vintage books, historical and advertising ephemera, photos, artwork, and mid-century design.

Price: 125 USD

Location: Milford, New Hampshire

End Time: 2024-12-05T03:45:37.000Z

Shipping Cost: N/A USD