Celebrated American performer (1860–1926) whose legendary prowess as a markswoman earned her worldwide renown. At the tender age of 15, she bested vaudeville marksman Frank E. Butler in a shooting match; the two were later married and toured together as star attractions in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show. She never failed to delight her audiences. Among other astounding sharpshooting feats, Oakley would, from 30 paces, split a playing card held edge-on; on one occasion, performing in Berlin, she shot a cigarette from the lips of Kaiser Wilhelm II. Rare ALS signed “Annie Oakley Butler,” three pages on two adjoining sheets, 5.25 x 7, May 20, 1926. Oakley writes to Mr. E. L. Brooks in East Cleveland. In full: “I appreciated very much your kind letter of April 30th and I thank you. I have been swamped with kind messages from all parts of the country. And several from Europe. They help me to bare [sic] up under the heavy cross. And I am sure that I shall be much better. It is only lack of faith in our dear God that delays my recovery. But I am happy at times. Each morning a robbin [sic] and a cardinal tries to outdo each other as they sing to me through the open windows at the hour of 4:30. I often talk to them & they will pause long enough to answer. Then the sweet blossoms and A howdi [sic] Miss Annie. Then I close the shades and take a morning nap for I do not sleep well through the night. I sincerely hope that the rheumatic condition will be temporary with you. Thanking you again. And may the blessings of God abide with you. And yours....”
Oakley died on November 3 of that year. Accompanied by an original Brisbois cabinet photo of Oakley with a chest full of medals, bearing a printed signature on the mount. In late 1922, Oakley and Butler suffered a debilitating automobile accident that forced her to wear a steel brace on her right leg. Yet, after a year and a half of recovery, she again performed and set records in 1924. Oakley’s health declined again in 1925, and, six months after writing this letter, she died of pernicious anemia at the age of 66. Frank Butler was so crushed by her death that he stopped eating, and died himself just 18 days later. In very fine, clean, bright condition. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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