Signed Buffalo Bill Biographies to be Auctioned by Lilian White’s Grandson
Signed biographies of the legendary Wild West showman Buffalo Bill are set to be auctioned by the descendants of Lilian White, a performer who toured with him. The auction, organized by Hanson Ross in Royston, Hertfordshire, will feature books dedicated to Lilian White, who performed with Buffalo Bill, whose real name was William Cody, in the late 19th century.
Lilian White and her sister Flory, known as the Humel Sisters, were equestrian performers who initially starred with Barnum and Bailey’s Circus. Their paths crossed with Buffalo Bill’s show during a UK tour in 1898, leading to a collaboration that saw them travel the world together. Duncan White, Lilian’s 87-year-old grandson, has decided to sell the books, hoping they will find a new home with someone who will appreciate them.
One of the books was signed in Cardiff in 1903, while the other, written in French, was dedicated to Duncan’s father on September 29, 1905. These books have remained within the White family, who settled in Runnymead, Surrey, after Lilian finished touring. Duncan White recalls his grandmother’s fond memories of Buffalo Bill, describing him as a kind and good friend.
Buffalo Bill earned his nickname by hunting buffalo to feed Kansas Pacific Railroad workers after the American Civil War. He started his Wild West-themed show in 1883, featuring Native Americans, cowboys, and skilled riders from around the world. The show toured the United States and completed eight tours of Europe.
The lot, which includes the two signed biographies and a book detailing the Barnum and Bailey Greatest Show on Earth from 1897-1898, is estimated to fetch between £1,000 and £2,000 at the auction on July 12. Lilian White passed away in 1964 at the age of 88, but she had already given the signed books to her grandson by then. Duncan White recalls a near-miss with a flood in the late 1940s that almost destroyed the books, prompting his grandmother to entrust them to him.
Duncan White expressed no regret in parting with the books, stating, “I’m 87. It’s time they went to someone who will appreciate them.” The auction has generated excitement, with Amanda Butler, Director of Operations at Hanson Ross, highlighting the great provenance of the lot, coming directly from the White family.
Buffalo Bill, born William Frederick Cody, was an American soldier, bison hunter, and showman. He started his legend at the age of 23 and went on to perform in shows that depicted cowboy themes and episodes from the frontier and Indian Wars. He founded Buffalo Bill’s Wild West in 1883, taking his large company on tours in the United States and Europe.
Cody was born on February 26, 1846, in Le Claire, Iowa Territory. His father, Isaac Cody, was born in Toronto Township, Upper Canada, and his mother, Mary Ann Bonsell Laycock, was born in Trenton, New Jersey. The family moved to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas Territory, in 1853, where they faced persecution due to Isaac Cody’s anti-slavery stance. After Isaac’s death in 1857, the family struggled financially, and young Bill took on various jobs to support them.
Cody’s early career included working as a rider for the Pony Express, a trapper, bullwhacker, and stagecoach driver. He served as a teamster in the Union Army during the American Civil War and later as a civilian scout for the U.S. Army during the Indian Wars. He was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1872 for his actions as an Army scout, although the medal was later rescinded in 1917 due to changes in the award’s criteria.
Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show, founded in 1883, became a sensation, showcasing the skills of Native Americans, cowboys, and riders from around the world. The show toured extensively, completing eight tours of Europe and leaving a lasting legacy in popular culture.
Lilian White’s connection to Buffalo Bill adds a personal touch to the auction, with her grandson Duncan White sharing stories of their travels and friendship. The signed biographies, along with the Barnum and Bailey book, offer a glimpse into the world of the Wild West and the performers who brought it to life.
The auction at Hanson Ross on July 12 is expected to attract interest from collectors and history enthusiasts alike, eager to own a piece of Wild West history. As Duncan White prepares to part with the books, he hopes they will find a new home where they will be cherished and appreciated for years to come.
Source: BBC News, SWNS Talker
