Irving R. Bacon Archive Incl. Photographs of Buffalo Bill and the Wild West Show, Correspondence, and More

Lot 402

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6270 Este Ave.
Cincinnati , OH 45232
United States

With offices in Cincinnati, Cleveland and Denver, Cowan’s holds over 40 auctions each year, with annual sales exceeding $16M. We reach buyers around the globe, and take pride in our reputation for integrity, customer service and great results. A full-service house, Cowan’s Auctions specializes in Am...Read more

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$0	$25
$500	$50
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About Auction

American Historical Ephemera and Photography by Cowan's Auctions

Live

American Historical Ephemera and Photography

By Cowan's Auctions

Nov 19, 2020

Set Reminder 2020-11-19 10:00:00 2020-11-19 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : American Historical Ephemera and Photography https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/cowans/american-historical-ephemera-and-photography-5894 Cowan’s Auctions, a Hindman Company, is pleased to present the November 19 Fall Auction, featuring over 400 lots of historically significant photography, manuscript material, artwork, and other ephemera dating from the 18th through the early 20th century, including the Civil War. Cowan's Auctions dawnie@cowans.com

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Lot Description

Archive of photographs, letters, telegrams, and various ephemera related to the life and work of artist Irving R. Bacon (1875-1962). Originally trained at the Art School of the Detroit Museum of Art, he spent his early career creating illustrations and cartoons for newspapers, often inspired by the American west. In 1901, Bacon was one of the many artists who contributed illustrations to W.F. Bayer and O.F. Keydel's history of the Congressional Medal of Honor, Deeds of Honor. Bacon's interpretation and composition of Buffalo Bill's action which earned him the Medal in 1872 impressed the western showman and inspired him to commission a painted version from the artist in 1901. Bacon delivered the completed painting Buffalo Bill in Pursuit, or Two with One Shot in the spring of 1902 where Cody was in New York preparing for the 1902 season. This meeting was the start of a fruitful working relationship between the two men with Bacon helping to visually cement Cody's western self-presentation.From 1906-1910, Bacon studied under Heinrich von Zuget at the Royal Academy in Munich. In 1911 he sold a painting to Henry Ford and became an employee of the Ford Motor Company in 1913. He produced cartoons and illustrations for the Ford Times and the Dearborn Independent while also painting scenes, portraits, and more for Ford and his inner circle. He also had an interest in photography and became the head of the Photographic Department at Ford for some time, retiring in 1948. The archive notably includes: 41 photographs taken by Bacon on a visit to Buffalo Bill's TE Ranch in Wyoming, circa 1902. Includes several images of Cody, his business partner and friend Dr. Frank "White Beaver" Powell, performers from the Wild West Show on horseback in full costume, and many others. Includes several candid shots around the ranch and outdoors. Many appear to be reference photos for Bacon to utilize in the composition of paintings at a later date. Telegram signed ("Cody") by William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody to Irving R. Bacon. 1 Nov. [1902?]. Postal Telegraph-Cable Company. Cody writes to arrange a meeting: "Meet me Chicago Tuesday." (Creases with a split, chipping to edges, lightly affixed to mount). Telegram signed ("W. F. Cody") by Buffalo to Bacon. N.d., circa 1902. "Answer Hoffman house when you can send photographs of trip." Includes a large collection of ephemera and newspaper clippings related to Irving R. Bacon including: Pamphlet from an exhibition of Bacon's work at William O'Leary Fine Arts in Detroit, Oct. 11-18, 1910. Includes 78 works in broad categories including "Italian Scenes," "Indian Sketches and Portraits," and "Animal Paintings."Pamphlet from an exhibition of Bacon's work at Hanna Art Galleries, Washington Arcade, Week of April 8, 1912. Includes 224 works with both European and Western-inspired themes. The exhibition has at least 2 works related to Buffalo Bill including The Conquest of the Prairie (listed at $5,000) and The First Scalp for Custer ($350). Two color reproductions after a painting by Irving of one of Buffalo Bill's western adventures. Alternatively titled Surprised.-An Attack at Dawn (n.p.; 11.5 x 8.5 in.) and Buffalo Bill at Red Willow Springs, Neb. (Detroit: Perrien-Keydel Co., 1901; 10.5 x 8 in., some toning, small marginal tear). Both appear to be from Deeds of Valor: How America's Heroes Won the Medal of Honor, editions unknown. Bacon's Ford Motor Company business card. (Light toning/spotting to edge). 1949 Car Permit for Irving Bacon. Dated Oct. 1, 1949 noting that he drove a "1946 Forde Cpe. Black." Firearms license. Made out to Irving R. Bacon for "1 revolver" on 13 August 1920.The Dearborn Independent Vol. 26 No. 7 December 5, 1925. with article "On the Road with Buffalo Bill" by Irving R. Bacon. (Some spotting to margins, upper corner lightly creased). The Dearborn Independent. Vol. 26 No. 9 December 19, 1925 with article "When a Storm Struck "Buffalo Bill's" Show" by Irving R. Bacon.Silver gelatin portrait of Irving R. Berlin, ca 1930s. Inscription to verso: "Irving R. Bacon in the 1930's." 5.5 x 8 in.Snapshot image of Bacon as a young artist. 3.75 x 5 in. ALS from Will Rogers to Bacon, 27 Dec. 1903, Paris, France. Rogers appears to be a fellow artist and friend of Bacon. The Herald. Vol. XIV No. 4, May 1947. Henry Ford In Memoriam issue. Dozens of newspaper clipping related to the life and work of Irving R. Bacon, Henry Ford, and William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody, including reviews of Bacons work, announcements of exhibitions, and political cartoons by Bacon mostly in support of Theodore Roosevelt.
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