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Autograph of Frank James
Guns International #: 101107004 Seller's Inventory #: Rare autograph of Outlaw Frank James
Category: Collectibles - Western - Collectibles - Civil War
Seller's Information
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Seller: Sailorswede
Member Since: 12/10/16
First Name: David
Last Name: LaDuke
State: Hawaii
Zip: 96819
Country: United States
Phone: (808) 429-7240
Phone2: (808) 429-7240
Number of Active Listings: 0
Total Number of Listings: 45
Seller: Private Seller
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
Payment Types Accepted:
Description:
This is a very rare autograph by Frank James. In 1914 a lady and her husband accompanying their daughter and son-in-law on their honeymoon visited the home of Frank & Jesse James and met the famous outlaw Frank James when he was personally giving tours.
The provenance of the autograph was documented by her son in 1927 on the blank first page of a book (see photo). He writes that his mother had close relatives who Frank knew when he was with Quantrell's Guerrillas during the civil war and his years following the war as an outlaw. One close relative she mentioned to Frank was "James Wakefield" of Kentucky on who's farm Quantrell was captured.
Frank James did not normally sign autographs or talk about his past with the public but Frank took a liking to this lady and not only talked to her about his past but he signed her calling card for her to give to "your boy" Frank James told her. The short provenance was well written and the calling card pasted above it. The ink is old iron ink and is in excellent shape. Usually iron ink turns brown after many years but this has been closed up in the book and has almost never seen daylight so it's about as clear and as dark as when Frank signed it. I'm only the second owner outside the original family so It hasn't changed hands more that twice.
Signatures by "Frank James" are rare. Most of his letters that are available were written from jail to his wife while awaiting trial for his outlaw crimes and are usually signed with the first name of his alias "Ben". This could be the only known autograph given to a visitor to the James farm.
INCLUDED: with the calling card is an early post card postmarked 1918 from Kansas City, MO. The original picture of Frank standing in front of the gate was taken in 1914, the same year this lady and her family visited the James farm. Frank James passed away on the farm a little less than a year after this lady's visit.
ALSO INCULDED: Is a letter cover (no letter) postmarked from "Gallatin, Mo. 1883" addressed to his wife in Frank's hand with his first and middle initial, and last name: "A.F. James" for Alexander Franklin James. The old iron ink has turned brown and somewhat faded on the envelope but is still nice and clear. It is one of those written to his wife while in jail during his trial. The image next to the envelope is an artist's sketch of Frank James at his trial.
SOLD