Sitting Bull (circa 1831–1890) was a Hunkpapa Lakota Sioux holy man known for his steadfast opposition to the intrusion of the U.S. government into Sioux lands. Sitting Bull’s “vision” of the defeat of American troops prior to the Battle of Little Bighorn proved prescient, indeed, and it was largely through his leadership and inspiration that the Cheyenne and Sioux decisively overcame Custer’s 7th Cavalry. Fleeing to Canada following the battle, Sitting Bull later returned to the U.S. and toured with Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show. Fearing his growing influence, government agents fatally shot him during an arrest attempt at Standing Rock Agency on December 15, 1890. The Akicita [warrior] One Bull, Sitting Bull’s nephew, likewise played a pivotal role at Little Bighorn, stemming the initial cavalry attack led by Major Marcus Reno and thereby enabling the Lakota women and children to flee. Rare ink signatures, “Sitting Bull” and “One Bull,” on the reverse of an unengrossed 7 x 2.75 check from the First National Bank of Lafayette, Indiana. The lower left corner bears the ink notation in another hand, “St. Paul, M[arc]h 19, 1884.” At the time of signing, Sitting Bull and One Bull were in St. Paul at the invitation of James McLaughlin, the Indian agent of Standing Rock Reservation, whose aim was to demonstrate the “superiority” of white civilization. During the weeklong visit, Sitting Bull toured a newspaper plant, the State Capital, and a cathedral, viewed a demonstration of fire engines, and took his first ride on an elevator. Vertical fold through one letter of each signature, a few very subtle wrinkles, and faint show-through of printing on reverse, otherwise fine condition. Both signatures are exceptionally dark and distinct. Individual signatures of Sitting Bull and One Bull—particularly such distinct and boldly penned examples—are of great scarcity and of the highest desirability among collectors of Old West and Native Americana. The combination of the two on a single item represents a blue-chip rarity that qualifies as a true treasure! Auction LOA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
