Annie Oakley & Buffalo Bill Cabinet Photographs
Appraised Value:
$13,500
IMAGE: 1 of 1
Appraisal Video: (2:20)
Appraisal Transcript:
GUEST: When my grandmother died, there was an old family photo album with all the history of her family's generations, and no one really wanted it, so I took it home and I was flipping through, and it came along with a book, and as I was going through it, I found these two pictures of Annie Oakley and Wild Bill. She was from Ohio, and I believe Annie Oakley was from Dark County, Ohio.
APPRAISER: Well, you've brought us two cabinet photos that are of two of the most famous people of the Wild West. Buffalo Bill, whose real name was William Cody. This is a beautiful photograph of him, with his autograph on the bottom. He was a Civil War scout, and he started this Wild West Show, which included, of course, Annie Oakley, who was a sharpshooter. She was very petite, only about four feet, ten inches, and it was said that she could shoot a cigarette out of a man's mouth from 30 feet away.
GUEST: Wow.
APPRAISER: But her act really was taking a playing card, putting it on edge, and shooting through the spades and hearts. She was... very, very good.
GUEST: Wow.
APPRAISER: A lot of these get discolored around the edges, and get ripped or torn and that substantially decreases the value, but these are in beautiful condition. These could be bought at the Wild West Show. So it's sort of a souvenir that you would buy and he would sign. Do you have any idea what this one might be worth?
GUEST: No idea whatsoever. That's why I brought it here today.
APPRAISER: Well, I hope you're going to be surprised, because this one sells for about $2,000.
GUEST: (laughing) Yes. Yes, I am surprised.
APPRAISER: And, um, you know, it's in really good condition. Annie Oakley is quite rare, and, in fact, not too many cabinet photos actually survived of hers. And especially nice when they're signed as well.
GUEST: Wow.
APPRAISER: And this one probably is worth a little bit more, um, because of the rarity. And one like this just recently sold at auction and it brought $11,500.
GUEST: (laughing) Oh, wow. Okay. That's wonderful. Good.
APPRAISER: So you brought us not only a treasure trove of history, but quite a valuable surprise as well.
GUEST: Yes, very valuable surprise. Thank you so much.
