Old West outlaw brothers who began their careers by joining a band of Confederate marauders who rode through border states creating havoc against the Union. Cole Younger joined the holdup gang of Frank and Jesse James in 1866 and soon convinced his own brothers to join. During the next decade, the Younger and James brothers staged a string of bank robberies and train holdups throughout Missouri and the surrounding states. A bloody shootout after an attempted robbery of the First National Bank in Northfield, Minnesota on September 7, 1876, resulted in the deaths of many of the gang’s members. When a posse caught up with the survivors two weeks later, there was another fatal shootout, and the Younger brothers were captured. All three pleaded guilty to avoid hanging and were jailed. After their parole in 1901, Cole eventually reunited with Frank James in a touring Wild West show. Jim became engaged to Alix Mueller, who had met him in prison 20 years after the Northfield robbery. However, Jim was unable to marry under the terms of his parole, so he committed suicide on October 19, 1902. Cole eventually went on the lecture circuit to preach the evils of crime and died on February 21, 1916. Extremely rare, bold ink signatures, “Compliments of Cole Younger, Stillwater, Minnesota, August 19th, 1890,” and “Jim Younger, Stillwater, Minn, August 19.90,” on individual off-white 7.5 x 5 album pages. The pages remain in their original hardcover album identified in the front as “Grandma Knoehling’s Album.” The album is also signed by other residents and friends from Minnesota, Massachusetts, and Maine. The two signed pages are in fine condition; the album has partial separation to the front cover and a few loose or taped pages (not affecting the Youngers). A most elusive and coveted Old West duo! Auction LOA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
We use cookies on this site to improve your experience. By using this site, you accept our use of cookies. To learn more, please see our Privacy Policy.
