| No theme in history has captured the
imagination like the American West, and no presentation of the drama
surpassed the original Wild West shows. In this unparalleled theater, the
cast of characters were themselves authentic heroes: Buffalo Bill Cody,
Texas Jack Omohundro, Wild Bill Hickok, Captain A. H. Bogardus, Annie
Oakley, Doc Carver ("Evil Spirit of the Plains"), Lillian Smith, Captain
Jack Crawford ("Poet Scout of the Plains"), Sitting Bull and hordes of
Indians, Pawnee Bill, and May Lillie. These pioneer stars and superstars
were predecessors to the Western film and television personalities of
later times, and to the troupe in the contemporary extravaganza at
Disneyland/Paris. Buffalo Bill's
Wild West is a panoramic celebration of these colorful characters, who
created the image of the West for Americans, and for the world. The book
also celebrates the exciting and often flamboyant accoutrements and
costumes, which were part and parcel of the stars' public appearance, and
honors such characters as William Mathewson, recognized even by Cody
himself as the "original Buffalo Bill."
The lavish illustrations feature the
Michael Del Castello Collection of the American West, with portfolios of
treasures from the Buffalo Bill Museum (Buffalo Bill Historical Center,
Cody, Wyoming) and the Autry Museum of Western Heritage (Los Angeles).
Cody and his contemporaries made the West
come alive to millions through their Wild West show tours of Europe and
America. Lavishly illustrated and unsurpassed in its authenticity,
Buffalo Bill's Wild West is a collector's item for anyone interested
in the most fascinating array of all objects of Americana, and in the
uniquely colorful saga of the West.
From the original Wild West shows of P. T.
Barnum in Hoboken, New Jersey, to the spectacular entertainments of such
headliners as Buffalo Bill and Annie Oakley, see the arms and accessories
of the adventurers who charmed the crowned heads of Europe and brought
America's Wild West culture to the world -- in the process helping to make
Colt, Winchester, Wells Fargo, and the West into American legends.
In this unique volume, the authors have
produced the most spectacular, lavish, and detailed illustrated tribute
ever to Buffalo Bill and his Wild West show-business originals.
Buffalo Bill's Wild West in an
unmatched chronicle drawn upon decades of research and collecting,
augmented with images by master photographers Peter Beard and Douglas
Sandberg, and period photographs and archival material from museums and
private collections, particularly that of Michael Del Castello -- featured
at the Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds, in the summer 1999 loan exhibition
"Buffalo Bill's Wild West."
In over 225 color plates and 160
black-and-white illustrations, with in-depth text and captions, the
colorful arms, posters, photographs, costumes, saddles accoutrements,
stagecoaches, and, for the first time, Buffalo Bill's Wild West Winchester
Ammo Wagon, are brought to life. The extraordinary, exquisitely detailed
illustrations include more than 50 posters and advertising broadsheets,
over 100 rare cabinet card photographs, innumerable historic firearms,
advertising art and trade cards, and show-business memorabilia.
All the renowned exhibition shooters are
presented: Buffalo Bill Cody, Annie Oakley, Frank Butler, Doc Carver,
Johnny Baker, Pawnee Bill, Lillian Smith, Captain A. H. Bogardus and sons,
Captain E. E. Stubbs, Curtis Liston, Arizona Joe, and many more -- all of
them sports and entertainment luminaries of their day.
Designed as a companion volume to the
bestselling Colt: An American Legend; Winchester: An American Legend:
The Peacemakers; Steel Canvas; and Ruger & His Guns, this new
work covers a fascinating period in history and entertainment that will
never be seen again.
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About the Authors and the Del Castello Collection
R. L. Wilson (left) has written some 30 books and over 250
articles on firearms and engraving. He is a historical consultant to
private collectors and museums; music, art, and Italy's Mille Miglia are
other interests.
Greg Martin is the foremost antiquarian in the field of
collectors' firearms and is director of the Arms and Armor Department at
Butterfield & Butterfield, San Francisco. Among other passions are
shooting, art, food, wine, the California Gold Rush and its jewelry, and
his estate vineyard, Puerta Dorado, in the Napa Valley.
Michael Del Castello is the leading private collector of
Buffalo Bill's Wild West artifacts, firearms, and memorabilia. Yet another
collecting interest is the related field of antique advertising and
American folk art. His is founder and owner of MDC Vacuum Products Corp.,
of Hayward, California.
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