CODY WILLIAM F BUFFALO BILL Autograph Letter Signed W F Cody

Sale 2043 - Lot 74

Price Realized: $ 1,840

?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price

Estimate: $ 2,000 - $ 3,000

DESCRIBING THE IRMA CODY, WILLIAM F. "BUFFALO BILL." Autograph Letter Signed, "W. F. Cody," to Joseph T. McCaddon, seeking a $40,000 loan from James A. Bailey's widow at 7% interest, putting up his new hotel in Cody Wyoming as collateral, describing the hotel and asserting that he wants to solve his financial problems "without having to go West myself." 21/2 pages, 3 single 8vo sheets, Bay State House stationery; holes punched in top margin, minor toning, inked date stamp on the last page. Worcester, 30 June 1907

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Cody founded the town which bears his name in 1895 and opened his hotel named The Irma in 1902. This letter describes the "luxury" accomodations: "This property is entirely new including furniture. The building is of stone, heated by steam, electric lights, telephones in every room, hot & cold water, and many valuable oil paintings . . . and the property is increasing in value as the town of Cody grows."
The first decade of the 20th century was difficult for Cody, as he poured money into several failed ventures, including mines, irrigation systems, gas and oil claims and more. McCaddon, to whom this letter was written, was the business manager for his brother-in-law James A. Bailey of Barnum & Bailey fame. Bailey had passed away the year prior to this letter.