1902 BUFFALO BILLS WILD WEST SHOW GROUNDS PROGRAM - OFFICIAL WILD WEST PROGRAM

Description

Very rare and important, original 1902 On Site Official Program from “Buffalo Bill’s Wild West and Congress of Rough Riders of the World” with fantastic, chromolithograph covers and with the original, "Official Program" / Play Bill for the “extravaganza”.
This rare and wonderful program from Buffalo Bill’s Traveling Extravaganza measures approx. 7 1/4” x 9 1/2” and contains 88 pages of text and illustrations relating to the show, its’ history, Buffalo Bill’s past as the Chief of the U.S. Army Scouts, the American West, Indian Fighting, Cowboys and many other aspects of the performers and the show. It is titled on the cover "William F. Cody / Buffalo Bill / Historical Sketches and Programme". While these chromolithograph cover "Programs" are usually referred to as the "Official Program" of the Show, they were in fact Souvenir Booklets sold both in advance of the Show's arrival in a town as part of the promotion effort and also sold on the grounds of the Show.
The front cover of the program is beautifully chromolithographed and features a fantastic, bust portrait of William “Buffalo Bill” Cody surrounded by a printed "frame" presenting the image as if it were a painting of the consummate Western Showman. The rear cover is chromolithographed with a full page advertisement for Sen Sen Chewing Gum featuring a portrayal of Buffalo Bill engaged in a Buffalo Hunt at the top. At the bottom of the page is a rather interesting image of a ca1900 U. S. Army soldier and a "Rough Rider" Cavalry officer firing at three men who appear to be Chinese - one falling dead on the ground, one holding a large flag and the third firing a revolver at the soldiers while holding a lance in his other hand (not quite sure what this depicts – likely either an anti-Chinese meme or an odd representation of the Philippean War).
Two of the early pages of the Program present the Official Performance Program of the Show. It is titled "Buffalo Bill's Wild West and Congress of Rough Riders of the World / Official Programme".
This very rare and fascinating, 1902 Buffalo Bill's Wild West and Congress of Rough Riders of the World Show Program is printed on a rather delicate paper stock and bound in its original, chromolithographed paper wrappers which are in excellent to near mint condition - clean and crisp and exceptionally well preserved with some very light edge wear only. There is a “ghost” of the ketchup bottle printed on the inside front cover that is visible on Cody’s face (an artifact of the original printing) but other wise the covers are exceptionally well preserved. The interior pages are in near mint condition throughout - complete and tight - clean and crisp and exceptionally well preserved.
This type of program from Buffalo Bill’s Wild West traveling Extravaganza is VERY rare and VERY desirable - especially in the outstanding condition of the example sold here. The Program is sold here without reserve and a 100% satisfaction guarantee!! Good Luck!!!
Be sure to check out this seller’s other auctions for another original, Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show Program which is also being offered for sale this week on eBay!!
Overseas shipping is extra and cost will be quoted at bidders request. Massachusetts residents must add 6.25% sales tax.
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