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<b>Bonhams:</b> MANDELSHTAM, OSIP. 1891-1938. Autograph Manuscript, 2 pp, [Petersburg,] January 1913, entitled

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Western Books From Gene W. Baade Gene W. Baade has issued catalogue 1105 By Michael Stillman Gene W. Baade Books On The West has released their catalogue #1105 just in time for the holidays. Not that there is any particular connection between this collection and the holidays other than if you are looking for an excuse to give yourself a gift, Baade has provided one. Fortunately, his prices will leave you plenty of room to buy gifts for persons other than yourself. There are many fascinating stories within the covers of these books, so plan on spending some time reading, rather than just admiring them on your shelf. Let's take a look at a few of the titles you will find within this catalogue. Two books on the life of the notorious James Brothers, written by J.A. Dacus, are available. The first was published in 1880, while Jesse was still alive; the second in 1882 shortly after a bullet brought the final chapter on his life to a close. The James Brothers started their "careers" with Confederate partisans working behind Union lines in loyalist Missouri. The partisans harassed, pillaged, and killed Union soldiers and sympathizers during the Civil War. After war's end, they continued their activities against the Reconstruction forces and businesses. Their activities turned from being part of a political cause to good old-fashioned outlawry. However, many who still harbored Confederate sympathies after the War lionized them as modern-day Robin Hoods. This life would not be all fun and games. They would reap great financial rewards, but be hounded for the rest of Jesse's life. At one point, Pinkerton detectives attacked their family home. A younger half-sister was killed and their mother lost an arm. Finally, while living anonymously under the name D.J. Howard, Jesse was shot and killed by a neighbor looking to collect a reward. Frank would later turn himself in, be excused for his past, and live out a natural life in Oklahoma. Item 29 is Decus' 1880 edition, Life and Adventures of Frank and Jesse James the Noted Western Outlaws. Priced at $350. Item 28 is the 1882 edition, Illustrated Lives and Adventures of Frank and Jesse James and the Younger Brothers, the Noted Western Outlaws. This edition includes the death and funeral of Jesse James, plus 42 new pages on the Younger Brothers. The Youngers were the James' confederates in crime, until a botched robbery in Minnesota brought their careers on the run to an end in 1876. The James carried on without them until Jesse's death. $150. Among the most valuable of books are those which inspire successful movies, such as 'Gone With The Wind.' Well, how about a book that started a whole series of movies? Such is the case with Betty Bard McDonald's 1945 classic The Egg and I. You don't remember? This film starred Fred McMurray and Claudette Colbert in a story about a young couple that moves to sticks to operate a chicken farm. The hijinks that result are as one might expect. The story reflected some of Mrs. Bard McDonald's experiences in the backwoods of the Olympics of Washington State. However, the academy award nomination the film received did not go to either McMurray or Colbert, its stars. The nomination was received by Marjorie Main for her portrayal of Ma Kettle.
Western Books From Gene W. Baade Left to right, Buffalo Jones, Pawnee Bill, and Buffalo Bill. Courtesy Wyoming Tales & Trails. Her character, and that of Pa Kettle played by Percy Kilbride spawned a series of nine more "Ma and Pa Kettle" movies (Kilbride retired before the last two) that ran from 1947 to 1957. The Kettles seemed more characters one might expect from rural Tennessee than Washington. You get the picture. As a youngster growing up in the '50s, I can assure you there was nothing funnier than a Ma and Pa Kettle movie, except maybe one from Martin and Lewis. Maybe, but not definitely. Sadly, I have not seen a one of these classics since they were new, so I have no idea whether they would be as funny today as they were when I could still count my age on my fingers. Perhaps like the zany Lewis, their humor would be more appealing to the French today. I wish someone would rerun one of these films so I could see. Anyway, for those of you interested in the book which inspired the Kettle clan, and a first edition signed by the author no less, Gene Baade has one for you at the very reasonable price of $300. Item 94. Everyone remembers Buffalo Bill, but not so many know Buffalo Jones. That's a shame. The two were actually friends in the Old West. Both made their name hunting buffalo, to provide food for railroad workers or caravans during the rapid settlement of the area. However, Bill would make a longer career of buffalo hunting, and then organize his Wild West Show. Jones did something very different. When he realized the buffalo were fast disappearing and heading towards extinction, he became their savior. He put down his guns and began capturing calves to start a preservation herd. He attempted to breed them with cattle, producing an animal he called "cattalo," but the animal was not self-sustaining. Jones would also establish numerous other herds, including one on Antelope Island in the Great Salt Lake, one in Yellowstone Park, and one on the north rim of the Grand Canyon. He went to Africa where he captured, rather than shot, big game. Among those who admired his work was Theodore Roosevelt, who named him the first game warden of Yellowstone Park. King Edward VII of England awarded him a medal for his work with animals. Perhaps his greatest admirer was famed western writer Zane Grey, who based some of his earliest characters on Jones. Jones also was a founder and promoter of Garden City, Kansas, which maintains a statue of this remarkable man in front of the courthouse. Charles Jesse "Buffalo" Jones died in 1919 and is buried in Garden City. For a look at his life, item 36 is Lord of the Beasts. The Saga of Buffalo Jones, written by Robert Easton and Mackenzie Brown, and published in 1961. $10. There are many more fascinating stories within the pages of the latest Gene W. Baade catalogue, but you will have to get your own copy to see the rest. You may reach them at 425-271-6481 or bookwest@eskimo.com.

Western Books From Gene W. Baade

Gene W. Baade has issued catalogue 1105

By Michael Stillman

Gene W. Baade Books On The West has released their catalogue #1105 just in time for the holidays. Not that there is any particular connection between this collection and the holidays other than if you are looking for an excuse to give yourself a gift, Baade has provided one. Fortunately, his prices will leave you plenty of room to buy gifts for persons other than yourself. There are many fascinating stories within the covers of these books, so plan on spending some time reading, rather than just admiring them on your shelf. Let's take a look at a few of the titles you will find within this catalogue.

Two books on the life of the notorious James Brothers, written by J.A. Dacus, are available. The first was published in 1880, while Jesse was still alive; the second in 1882 shortly after a bullet brought the final chapter on his life to a close. The James Brothers started their "careers" with Confederate partisans working behind Union lines in loyalist Missouri. The partisans harassed, pillaged, and killed Union soldiers and sympathizers during the Civil War. After war's end, they continued their activities against the Reconstruction forces and businesses. Their activities turned from being part of a political cause to good old-fashioned outlawry. However, many who still harbored Confederate sympathies after the War lionized them as modern-day Robin Hoods. This life would not be all fun and games. They would reap great financial rewards, but be hounded for the rest of Jesse's life. At one point, Pinkerton detectives attacked their family home. A younger half-sister was killed and their mother lost an arm. Finally, while living anonymously under the name D.J. Howard, Jesse was shot and killed by a neighbor looking to collect a reward. Frank would later turn himself in, be excused for his past, and live out a natural life in Oklahoma.

Item 29 is Decus' 1880 edition, Life and Adventures of Frank and Jesse James the Noted Western Outlaws. Priced at $350. Item 28 is the 1882 edition, Illustrated Lives and Adventures of Frank and Jesse James and the Younger Brothers, the Noted Western Outlaws. This edition includes the death and funeral of Jesse James, plus 42 new pages on the Younger Brothers. The Youngers were the James' confederates in crime, until a botched robbery in Minnesota brought their careers on the run to an end in 1876. The James carried on without them until Jesse's death. $150.

Among the most valuable of books are those which inspire successful movies, such as 'Gone With The Wind.' Well, how about a book that started a whole series of movies? Such is the case with Betty Bard McDonald's 1945 classic The Egg and I. You don't remember? This film starred Fred McMurray and Claudette Colbert in a story about a young couple that moves to sticks to operate a chicken farm. The hijinks that result are as one might expect. The story reflected some of Mrs. Bard McDonald's experiences in the backwoods of the Olympics of Washington State. However, the academy award nomination the film received did not go to either McMurray or Colbert, its stars. The nomination was received by Marjorie Main for her portrayal of Ma Kettle.

Western Books From Gene W. Baade

Left to right, Buffalo Jones, Pawnee Bill, and Buffalo Bill. Courtesy Wyoming Tales & Trails.

Her character, and that of Pa Kettle played by Percy Kilbride spawned a series of nine more "Ma and Pa Kettle" movies (Kilbride retired before the last two) that ran from 1947 to 1957. The Kettles seemed more characters one might expect from rural Tennessee than Washington. You get the picture. As a youngster growing up in the '50s, I can assure you there was nothing funnier than a Ma and Pa Kettle movie, except maybe one from Martin and Lewis. Maybe, but not definitely. Sadly, I have not seen a one of these classics since they were new, so I have no idea whether they would be as funny today as they were when I could still count my age on my fingers. Perhaps like the zany Lewis, their humor would be more appealing to the French today. I wish someone would rerun one of these films so I could see. Anyway, for those of you interested in the book which inspired the Kettle clan, and a first edition signed by the author no less, Gene Baade has one for you at the very reasonable price of $300. Item 94.

Everyone remembers Buffalo Bill, but not so many know Buffalo Jones. That's a shame. The two were actually friends in the Old West. Both made their name hunting buffalo, to provide food for railroad workers or caravans during the rapid settlement of the area. However, Bill would make a longer career of buffalo hunting, and then organize his Wild West Show. Jones did something very different. When he realized the buffalo were fast disappearing and heading towards extinction, he became their savior. He put down his guns and began capturing calves to start a preservation herd. He attempted to breed them with cattle, producing an animal he called "cattalo," but the animal was not self-sustaining. Jones would also establish numerous other herds, including one on Antelope Island in the Great Salt Lake, one in Yellowstone Park, and one on the north rim of the Grand Canyon. He went to Africa where he captured, rather than shot, big game. Among those who admired his work was Theodore Roosevelt, who named him the first game warden of Yellowstone Park. King Edward VII of England awarded him a medal for his work with animals. Perhaps his greatest admirer was famed western writer Zane Grey, who based some of his earliest characters on Jones. Jones also was a founder and promoter of Garden City, Kansas, which maintains a statue of this remarkable man in front of the courthouse. Charles Jesse "Buffalo" Jones died in 1919 and is buried in Garden City. For a look at his life, item 36 is Lord of the Beasts. The Saga of Buffalo Jones, written by Robert Easton and Mackenzie Brown, and published in 1961. $10.

There are many more fascinating stories within the pages of the latest Gene W. Baade catalogue, but you will have to get your own copy to see the rest. You may reach them at 425-271-6481 or bookwest@eskimo.com.