Wyatt Earp 1870 Signed Subpoena

• Sold For: $11,163
• Year: 1870
• Auction: 2009 October
• Lot #: 766
• Auction Category: Historical/Political/Pop Culture/Americana

Resourceful, to say the very least, Wyatt Earp wore the hat of farmer, buffalo hunter, miner and boxing referee (among other endeavors) long before embracing his role at the O.K. Corral. The offered display is an incredibly scarce "Wild West" find: a legal document signed by Earp. To begin with, Earp's penning is among the most rare of men of his ilk. Sweetening the pot further is the fact that this bold signature was executed in a lawman's capacity. All of 21 years old with volumes of lawless activity still years ahead, Earp, acting as the Barton County, Missouri local constable, penned this subpoena to be served to one Mr. Thomas G. Harvey, informing said party that he would have to testify within a fortnight in the case of Missouri vs. Thomas Brown. Arranged in a handsome 25-3/4 x 17-1/2" wooden frame, the 7-3/4 x 4-3/4" original document (shown on the reverse, penned entirely in Earp's hand) is displayed below a photocopy of the front so that both sides can be viewed simultaneously. On the reverse, Earp has inscribed: "I have served the within summons upon the within named Thomas G. Harvey by reading the same to him this Feb 28, 1870 - W.S. Earp, Const." The black-ink fountain pen content is crisply executed with Earp's endorsement projecting ("9-10") quality. The piece is affected by a small tear at the far left, (3) tiny slashes near the upper portion and a horizontal compacting fold. None of these flaws impinges upon the stunning quality of Earp's penmanship. Earp’s career as a lawman, of course, was short-lived as just over a year later, he fled Missouri amid accusations of misappropriation of license fees. In his absence, he took up residence at a Peoria, Illinois brothel, befriended Bat Masterson and Wild Bill Hickok along the Kansas Plains and established himself as a gambler and saloon-keeper. Among the most iconic figures in American lore, Earp signed this very document well before his influence took root. Accompanying is a PSA/DNA auction LOA from another auction house.