Pure Cowboy

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SOLD

Pawnee Bill's Cowboy Hat - Autographed by Wild West Show Greats

This absolutely one-of-a-kind Wild West Show piece is jaw-dropping.  The number of signatures and the aura of showmanship and personage that accompanies this hat is spectacular.  Make sure to fully explore the information by clicking on the links for detailed photographs and information on the historic figures whose signatures adorn the hat.  This Wild West Show hat was signed in1936 on the 50th wedding anniversary of Pawnee Bill (born Gordon Lillie) and his sharp-shooter wife, Mae Lillie.  They celebrated in Taos, New Mexico with many of their friends from the heyday of the Wild West Show. The Hotel Martin (now the Taos Inn) opened in 1936 with a grand celebration. On hand for the events were their friends Pawnee Bill and May, who were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary that summer in Taos. It would be the last time the Lillies visited Taos together. This hat was signed by a crowd of the true Wild West Show old-timers on July 27, 1936, Taos, New Mexico.

Just a few weeks later, Gordon and May attended a local celebration in Tulsa, Oklahoma. While driving back to their ranch that night Gordon lost control of their vehicle. May died on September 17, 1936 as a result of injuries sustained in the accident. Pawnee Bill died in his sleep on February 3, 1942. He was 81.
 

Gordon Lillie (aka: Pawnee Bill) married young and petite May Manning in 1886; May (aka "Mae"; born "Mary") was seventeen years old. In 1888 Gordon and May Lillie launched their own show: Pawnee Bill’s Historic Wild West. Mae starred in the show as the “Champion Girl Horseback Shot of the West.” Their first season was a financial disaster and they re-organized as a smaller operation called “Pawnee Bill’s Historical Wild West Indian Museum and Encampment Show.” The show traveled to Europe, performing in France and Belgium. The show was popular but not lucrative. They returned to the United States and added Jose Barrera to the cast; he was widely popular performing as Mexican Joe. In 1907 Gordon hired performers from a variety of backgrounds. He organized Mexican cowboys, Pawnee and Sioux scouts, Chinese and Japanese performers, and Arab jugglers. The ensemble debuted as the “Pawnee Bill’s Wild West and Great Far East Show.”

In 1908 rival showman 'Buffalo Bill' Cody’s managing partner, Bailey, died. Cody contacted Gordon and encouraged him to buy Bailey’s share of the show. The "Two Bills" merged shows and became "Buffalo Bill’s Wild West and Pawnee Bill’s Far East" with Gordon as the managing partner. The show was a great financial success. However, in 1913 Cody signed a short-term loan agreement with a Denver businessman. He foreclosed on the show while it was playing in Denver Colorado. After the show closed Gordon returned to live at the ranch full time.

Previously, Blue Hawk sold Gordon and May Lillie some of his land in Pawnee, and the couple built a cabin and established a buffalo herd there. Gordon objected strenuously and frequently to the sportsmanship hunting of buffalo. He approached Congress several times with proposals that the sport be outlawed. While Gordon toured, May supervised the buffalo ranch. The couple completed work on their Arts and Crafts style home on Blue Hawk Peak in 1910. Gordon invested in banking, real estate, and oil. In 1930 May and Gordon opened Pawnee Bill’s Old Town near the ranch. They sold Indian and Mexican crafts, and featured yearly rodeos.  1932 was their 50th wedding anniversary, celebrated in Taos, New Mexico.  This hat was signed by all the true Wild West Show old-timers on July 27, 1936, Taos, New Mexico.

*From Annie Oakley, by Shirl Kasper

Pawnee Bill's Autographed Hat/ Item #UA1041 SOLD

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