"WHEN THE 'WILD WEST' DISBANDS, THE LAST VESTIGE OF OUR FRONTIER LIFE PASSES… AND BECOMES A MATTER OF HISTORY"

CODY, William F. ('Buffalo Bill'). Last of the Great Scouts. The Life Story of Col. William F. Cody, "Buffalo Bill" as Told by His Sister. Chicago and Duluth: Duluth Press, (1899). Octavo, original gilt- and blind-stamped red cloth. $1200.

First edition of the biography of the larger-than-life scout and showman, Col. W.F. Cody, famed as "Buffalo Bill," with frontispiece and 15 full-page photographic plates featuring works by Frederic Remington and E.W. Deming, including Remington's classic image of Buffalo Bill, "Under the Lime Light," in original gilt-stamped cloth.

"'Buffalo Bill' Cody typified the Wild West to more people in more parts of the world than any other person, yet he was actually a real part of the phases of the frontier he so successfully romanticized" (Lamar, 228). This early biography of the legendary Pony Express rider, cavalry scout and showman, who created his own Wild West Show in 1883, was written by his sister nearly a decade before his death. In it she writes: "He occupies a unique place in the portrait gallery of famous Americans. The fact that in his own person he condenses a period of national history is a large factor in the fascination he exercises over others." With frontispiece portrait of Helen Cody Wetmore. Featuring 15 photographic plates of works by Frederic Remington and E.W. Deming. Published same year as a signed limited edition; issued in red cloth (this copy) and green cloth, no priority established. Howes W297. Rader 3617. Adams, Six-Guns 1079. Owner inkstamp.

Text and plates very fresh, inner hinges expertly reinforced, light edge-wear to bright gilt-stamped cloth. A near-fine copy.