David G. and Karen D. Chapman collection of photographs of "Famous People of the Old West"
Call Number
Date
Creator
Extent
Language of Materials
Abstract
A collection of 73 photographs purportedly depicting notorious gunfighters, famous lawmen, and other notable figures of the American Old West of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, such as Jesse James, "Doc" Holliday, Wyatt Earp, "Wild Bill" Hickok, and "Buffalo Bill" Cody. The collection was assembled and identified by the late David G. Chapman, an artist, photographer, and reenactor of lawman Bat Masterson. Includes an inventory with image dimensions and a report of compiled biographies of the subjects, and an unrelated, Victorian-era lace paper Valentine's Day card.
Biographical / Historical
The assembler of the present collection, David G. Chapman (deceased) was born in New York City, where he attended the High School of Art and Design (1960–1964) and the School of Visual Arts (1964–1968). As an artist he specialized in illustrating the human anatomy. As a collector of historic photographs he focused on notable figures from the American Old West. Chapman was also a costumed reenactor of lawman Bartholemew William Barclay "Bat" Masterson (1853–1921), basing his interpretation on the writings of Masterson scholar Robert K. DeArment. [For more on Chapman and his qualifications, see the curriculum vitae and letter at the front of the three-ring binder housing the present collection of photographs.]
Arrangement
The collection is housed in a single, flat box. Images 1 through 70, and 72–73 (called "items" in the container list, below) are stored in protective sheets in a three-ring binder. These images are affixed to their respective pages and may not be removed from the binder. Image 71, which is oversize, is protected by a foamcore enclosure and laid at the bottom of the box. Titles in the container list are copied from those given by the donors' inventory in Folder 1; in some cases these vary slightly from the identification stickers on the image sleeves, which occasionally expand a subject's name or supply fuller details. When available, the archivist has provided the accepted versions of each subject's name, plus his or her life dates, in a note following each item in the container list.
Scope and Contents
The David G. and Karen D. Chapman Collection of Photographs of "Famous People of the Old West" contains 66 tintypes, 4 cartes-de-visite, and 3 cabinet photographs, none of which bear markings or notations to reveal their subjects, but which the donors have identified as the following historical lawmen, outlaws, notable figures, and women who took part in the often violent settlement of the American Old West during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These identifications have not been confirmed.
Lawmen
• Charlie Bassett
• William Milton "Billy" Breakenridge (1846–1931)
• Timothy Isaiah Courtright, a.k.a. "Jim Courtright," "Longhair Jim," "Big Jim Courtright" (1848–1887)
• Lawrence Edward Deger (1845–1924)
• Virgil Walter Earp (1843–1905)
• Wyatt Berry Stapp Earp (1848–1929)
• "Turkey Creek" Jack Johnson [John Blunt?] (1852–1887)
• Chris Madsen [Christen Madsen Rørmose] (1851–1944)
• Bartholemew William Barclay "Bat" Masterson (1853–1921)
• Edward John "Ed" Masterson (1852–1878)
• Michael Francis "Frank" McClain (1854–1902)
• Mike Meagher (1843–1881)
• Robert H. "Bob" Paul (1831–1901)
• Allan Pinkerton (1819–1884)
• John Henry Selman (1839–1896)
• Thomas James "Bear River" Smith (1830–1870)
• Dallas Stoudenmire (1845–1882)
• Henry Andrew "Heck" Thomas (1850–1912)
• Ben Thompson (1843–1884)
• William Matthew "Bill" Tilghman Jr. (1854–1924)
Outlaws
• William "Curly Bill" Brocius (1845–1882)
• Abraham G. Graham, a.k.a. "Shotgun John Collins" (1851–1922)
• Robert Newton Ford (1862–1892)
• John Wesley Hardin (1853–1895)
• Alexander Franklin "Frank" James (1843–1915)
• Jesse Woodson James (1847–1882)
• William Preston "Wild Bill" Longley (1851–1878)
• Luke L. Short (1854–1893)
• Frank C. Stilwell (1856–1882)
• John Wilson "Texas Jack" or "Shoot-Your-Eye-Out" Vermillion (1842–1911)
Notable figures
• Chalkley Beeson (1855–1912)
• William Frederick "Buffalo Bill" Cody (1846–1917)
• James Cooksey Earp (1841–1926)
• Morgan Seth Earp (1851–1882)
• John Escapule (1856–1926)
• Camillus "Buck" Sydney Fly [C.S. Fly] (1849–1901)
• William H. Harris (1845–1895)
• James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok (1837–1876)
• Benjamin J. Hodges (1880–1920?)
• John Henry "Doc" Holliday (1851–1887)
• John Baker "Texas Jack" Omohundro (1846–1880)
• Charles H. "Colorado Charlie" Utter (circa 1838–1912)
Women
• Ellen "Nellie" Cashman (1845–1925)
• Celia Ann "Mattie" Blaylock [Earp] (1850–1888)
• Josephine Sarah "Sadie" (Marcus) Earp (1861–1944)
• Urilla (Sutherland) Earp (1850–1870)
Subjects
Conditions Governing Access
Open to qualified researchers.
Photocopying undertaken by staff only. Limited to twenty exposures of stable, unbound material per day. (Researchers may not accrue unused copy amounts from previous days.)
Conditions Governing Use
Permission to reproduce any Print Room holdings through publication must be obtained from: Rights and Reproductions, The New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park West, New York, NY 10024. Phone: (212) 873-3400 ext. 270. Fax: (212) 579-8794.
Preferred Citation
This collection should be cited as the David G. and Karen D. Chapman Collection of Photographs of "Famous People of the Old West," PR-375, Department of Prints, Photographs, and Architectural Collections, The New-York Historical Society.
Immediate Source of Acquisition: Tintypes and supporting documentation
Gift of Karen D. Chapman, Thomas A. Chapman, and Heidi D. Bravo, September 2018 (accession no. PPAC-2018-051).
Credit line for exhibitions: "Gift of David G. and Karen D. Chapman."
Immediate Source of Acquisition: Valentine's Day card
Gift of Karen D. Chapman, 2019 (accession no. PPAC-2019-010).
Credit line for exhibitions: "Gift of Karen D. Chapman and family in memory of the Lane, Driscoll, and Chapman families of Beverly, Massachusetts."
About this Guide
Processing Information
Processed by Joseph Ditta, December 2018-January 2019.
Repository
View Inventory
Charlie Bassett, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Tintype, 1 & 6/16" (W) x 1 & 10/16" (L).
Chalkley Beeson, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Chalkley Beeson (1855–1912).
Tintype, 2 & 1/16" (W) x 3.25" (L).
Chalkley Beeson, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Chalkley Beeson (1855–1912).
Tintype, 1 & 7/8" (W) x 2 & 5/16" (L).
Billy Breakenridge, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
William Milton "Billy" Breakenridge (1846–1931).
Tintype, 2 & 7/16" (W) x 3 & 7/16" (L).
Curly Bill Brocius, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
William "Curly Bill" Brocius (1845–1882).
Tintype, 2 & 5/16" (W) x 3 & 5/8" (L).
Curly Bill Brocius, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
William "Curly Bill" Brocius (1845–1882).
Tintype, 1 & 13/16" (W) x 2.75" (L).
Nellie Cashman, 1882-1883, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Ellen "Nellie" Cashman (1845–1925).
Tintype, 2 & 9/16" (W) x 3 & 13/16" (L).
Buffalo Bill Cody, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
William Frederick "Buffalo Bill" Cody (1846–1917).
Tintype, 1" (W) x 1 & 9/16" (L).
Buffalo Bill Cody, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
William Frederick "Buffalo Bill" Cody (1846–1917).
Tintype, 1.5" (W) x 2" (L).
Shotgun John Collins "Butch", undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Abraham G. Graham, a.k.a. "Shotgun John Collins" (1851–1922).
Tintype, 2-and-5/8" (W) x 4-and-1/16" (L).
Jim Courtright, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Timothy Isaiah Courtright, a.k.a. "Jim Courtright," "Longhair Jim," "Big Jim Courtright" (1848–1887).
Tintype, 2.25" (W) x 3 & 5/8" (L).
Marshall Larry Deger, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Lawrence Edward Deger (1845–1924).
Tintype, 2.25" (W) x 3 & 13/16" (L).
James Earp, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
James Cooksey Earp (1841–1926).
Tintype, 2 & 5/16" (W) x 3 & 3/8" (L).
Josephine Marcus Earp, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Josephine Sarah "Sadie" (Marcus) Earp (1861–1944).
Tintype, 2 & 3/8" (W) x 3 & 5/8" (L).
Josephine Marcus Earp, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Josephine Sarah "Sadie" (Marcus) Earp (1861–1944).
Tintype, 2 & 3/8" (W) x 4 & 1/16" (L).
Mattie Blaylock Earp, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Celia Ann "Mattie" Blaylock [Earp] (1850–1888).
Carte-de-visite, 2 & 3/8" (W) x 3 & 5/8" (L).
Verso advertisement for "The Kilmarnock Photographic Gallery / A. McGregor / 46 King Street [no city] / Negatives Kept. Copies Can Always Be Had."
Morgan Earp, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Morgan Seth Earp (1851–1882).
Tintype, 2.5" (W) x 3.5" (L).
Urilla Sutherland Earp, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Urilla (Sutherland) Earp (1850–1870).
Tintype, 1 & 11/16" (W) x 1.5" (L).
Virgil Earp, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Virgil Walter Earp (1843–1905).
Carte-de-visite, 2 & 3/8" (W) x 3 & 13/16" (L).
Verso advertisement for "Hagedorn & Suden, Jefferson City & Butler, Mo. / First-Class work Guaranteed. / Negatives retained for future orders for half price. Photographs and Ambrotypes enlarged in Oil, Crayon, Ink, Pastelle and Water Colors, to Life Size."
Wyatt Earp, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Wyatt Berry Stapp Earp (1848–1929).
Tintype, 1 & 15/16" (W) x 3.25" (L).
Wyatt Earp, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Wyatt Berry Stapp Earp (1848–1929).
Tintype, 2 & 1/16" (W) x 3" (L).
Wyatt Earp, 1890-1900, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Wyatt Berry Stapp Earp (1848–1929).
Cabinet photograph, 3 & 7/8" (W) x 5 & 9/16" (L).
John Escapule, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
John Escapule (1856–1926).
Tintype, 1 & 7/16" (W) x 2" (L).
John Escapule, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
John Escapule (1856–1926).
Tintype, 2 & 3/8" (W) x 3 & 13/16" (L).
C.S. Fly, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Camillus "Buck" Sydney Fly (1849–1901).
Carte-de-visite, 2 & 3/8" (W) x 4 & 1/16" (L).
Verso advertisement for "Melander, Photographer / 208 Ohio St., Cor. Clark, CHICAGO."
Bob Ford, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Robert Newton Ford (1862–1892).
Tintype, 6 & 3/8" (W) x 8 & 3/8" (L).
Bob Ford, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Robert Newton Ford (1862–1892).
Tintype, 2 & 5/16" (W) x 3 & 3/8" (L).
John Wesley Hardin, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
John Wesley Hardin (1853–1895).
Tintype, 1 & 1/16" (W) x 1 & 11/16" (L).
John Wesley Hardin, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
John Wesley Hardin (1853–1895).
Tintype, 2 & 1/8" (W) x 3" (L).
John Wesley Hardin, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
John Wesley Hardin (1853–1895).
Tintype, 2 & 1/8" (W) x 3 & 3/8" (L).
W. H. Harris, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
William H. Harris (1845–1895).
Tintype, 2.5" (W) x 3.5" (L).
Bill Hickok, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok (1837–1876).
Tintype, 2 & 7/16" (W) x 3 & 13/16" (L).
Bill Hickok, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok (1837–1876).
Tintype, 2 & 5/8" (W) x 3 & 13/16" (L).
Sheriff Benjamin J. Hodges, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Benjamin J. Hodges (1880–1920?).
Tintype, 2 & 6/16" (W) x 3 & 7/16" (L).
Doc J.H. Holliday, 1880-1881?, inclusive
Scope and Contents
John Henry "Doc" Holliday (1851–1887).
Carte-de-visite, 2 & 3/8" (W) x 3 & 5/8" (L).
Verso advertisement for "Le Roy & Terrill, Artists, Youngstown, O."
Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
John Henry "Doc" Holliday (1851–1887) and Wyatt Berry Stapp Earp (1848–1929).
Tintype, 2.25" (W) x 3 & 3/8" (L).
Doc Henry Holliday, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
John Henry "Doc" Holliday (1851–1887).
Tintype, 2.5" (W) x 3.75" (L).
Doc John Henry Holliday, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
John Henry "Doc" Holliday (1851–1887).
Tintype, 2 & 1/16" (W) x 3 & 1/16" (L).
Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
John Henry "Doc" Holliday (1851–1887) and Wyatt Berry Stapp Earp (1848–1929).
Tintype, 2 & 7/16" (W) x 3 & 3/8" (L).
Frank James with member of family, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Alexander Franklin "Frank" James (1843–1915).
Tintype, 2.25" (W) x 3.25" (L).
Jesse James, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Jesse Woodson James (1847–1882).
Tintype, 1 & 1/8" (W) x 1.25" (L).
Turkey Creek Jack Johnson, circa 1875-1880, inclusive
Scope and Contents
"Turkey Creek" Jack Johnson (John Blunt?) (1852–1887).
Tintype, 2.5" (W) x 3 & 7/8" (L).
Turkey Creek Jack Johnson, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
"Turkey Creek" Jack Johnson (John Blunt?) (1852–1887).
Tintype, 2.5" (W) x 3 & 13/16" (L).
Turkey Creek Jack Johnson, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
"Turkey Creek" Jack Johnson (John Blunt?) (1852–1887).
Tintype, 2.5" (W) x 3 & 7/8" (L).
Turkey Creek Jack Johnson, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
"Turkey Creek" Jack Johnson (John Blunt?) (1852–1887).
Tintype, 1.75" (W) x 2.25" (L).
Bill Longley, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
William Preston "Wild Bill" Longley (1851–1878).
Tintype, 2.5" (W) x 3.75" (L).
Marshall Christian Madsen, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Christen Madsen Rørmose (1851–1944).
Cabinet photograph, 4 & 1/6" (W) x 5.75" (L).
Verso advertisement for "Parcell / North Side Square / Kirksville, Mo."
Marshall Christian Madsen, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Christen Madsen Rørmose (1851–1944).
Tintype, 2.25" (W) x 3 & 5/8" (L).
Bat Masterson, 1872-1874, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Bartholemew William Barclay "Bat" Masterson (1853–1921).
Tintype, 2 & 9/16" (W) x 3 & 7/16" (L).
Bat Masterson, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Bartholemew William Barclay "Bat" Masterson (1853–1921).
Tintype, 4 & 7/8" (W) x 6 & 7/8" (L).
Bat Masterson and Emma Walker Masterson, 1900-1910, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Bartholemew William Barclay "Bat" Masterson (1853–1921).
Tintype, 3 & 7/16" (W) x 2.5" (L).
Edward Masterson, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Edward John "Ed" Masterson (1852–1878).
Tintype, 2.5" (W) x 3.5" (L).
Frank McLain, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Michael Francis "Frank" McClain (1854–1902).
Tintype, 2.5" (W) x 3.5" (L).
Marshall Mike Meagher, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Mike Meagher (1843–1881).
Tintype, 2 & 7/16" (W) x 3 & 13/16" (L).
Marshall Mike Meagher, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Mike Meagher (1843–1881).
Tintype, 2 & 7/16" (W) x 3 & 5/8" (L).
Marshall Mike Meagher, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Mike Meagher (1843–1881).
Tintype, 2 & 3/8" (W) x 3 & 3/8" (L).
Texas Jack Omohundro, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
John Baker "Texas Jack" Omohundro (1846–1880).
Tintype, 2 & 11/16" (W) x 4.25" (L).
Marshall Bob Paul, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Robert H. "Bob" Paul (1831–1901).
Tintype, 2 & 7/16" (W) x 3.5" (L).
Allen [sic] Pinkerton, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Allan Pinkerton (1819–1884).
Tintype, 1.5" (W) x 2 & 1/16" (L).
Sheriff John Selman, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
John Henry Selman (1839–1896).
Tintype, 2 & 6/16" (W) x 3.25" (L).
Sheriff John Selman, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
John Henry Selman (1839–1896).
Tintype, 2.5" (W) x 3 & 7/16" (L).
Constable/Sheriff John Selman, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
John Henry Selman (1839–1896).
Tintype, 2.5" (W) x 3.5" (L).
Luke Short, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Luke L. Short (1854–1893).
Tintype, 2 & 7/16" (W) x 3 & 5/16" (L).
Marshall Tom Bear River Smith, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Thomas James "Bear River" Smith (1830–1870).
Tintype, 1 & 15/16" (W) x 2 & 7/16" (L).
Frank Stilwell, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Frank C. Stilwell (1856–1882).
Tintype, 2 & 1/8" (W) x 2 & 15/16" (L).
Marshall Dallas Stoudenmire, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Dallas Stoudenmire (1845–1882).
Tintype, 2 & 5/16" (W) x 3 & 9/16" (L).
Marshall Dallas Stoudenmire, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Dallas Stoudenmire (1845–1882).
Tintype, 2 & 9/16" (W) x 3 & 5/16" (L).
Marshall Dallas Stoudenmire and family, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Dallas Stoudenmire (1845–1882).
Tintype, 1 & 11/16" (W) x 2" (L).
Marshall Heck Thomas, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Henry Andrew "Heck" Thomas (1850–1912).
Tintype, 3 & 3/8" (W) x 5" (L).
Marshall Ben Thompson, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Ben Thompson (1843–1884).
Cabinet photograph, 4 & 5/8" (W) x 6 & 7/16" (L).
Marshall William (Bill) Tilghman, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
William Matthew "Bill" Tilghman Jr. (1854–1924).
Tintype, 10 & 1/8" (W) x 14 & 1/16" (L).
Charlie Utter, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Charles H. "Colorado Charlie" Utter (circa 1838–1912).
Tintype, 1 & 11/16" (W) x 2 & 7/16" (L).
Texas Jack Vermillion, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
John Wilson "Texas Jack" or "Shoot-Your-Eye-Out" Vermillion (1842–1911).
Tintype, 2 & 6/16" (W) x 3 & 5/8" (L).
Inventory | David G. Chapman's and Karen D. Chapman's Tintype Collection: "Famous Men of the Old West", 2018 July 30
Scope and Contents
Numerical list of the photographs in the collection (the numbers correspond to those on the image sleeves), with dimensions of each item in inches. 2 pages.
Report | Karen D. Chapman, Report on the Tintypes of "Famous People of the Old West", 2018 August 4
Scope and Contents
Includes reproductions of the photographs in the collection compared with similar images found online and elsewhere, with brief biographical sketches of the subjects. 25 pages.
Valentine's Day card, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Unrelated, Victorian-era lace paper Valentine's Day card. Opens to reveal printed sentiment: "Not sunlight in its prime, / Nor moonlight's gentle rays / Is half so fair as Love, / Which brightens day by day."