A handwritten letter from American outlaw Frank James, brother of Jesse James, to his wife, written on 7th July, 1883

One page. Measures 203 x 126mm. With expected fold creases which affects portions of the text, and bleeding of the ink (he mentions heavy rainfall in his letter) in small areas which do not affect the signature. Signed at the close "Ben", a protective alias used by Frank James (1843-1915) when writing letters.

The letter is long, affectionate, and reflective, for example: "If there is anything on this Earth that is half as dear to me as my wife I have failed to find it". It was written from a Gallatin (Missouri) jail whilst Frank James awaited his trial for the murder of Frank Mcmillanto at the Winston train robbery.

Frank and Jesse James are known as the most notorious outlaws of the American West, engaging in bank and train robberies from 1866 through to 1881. After Jesse's murder in 1882, Frank turned himself in and was tried for several murders. Due to the testimony of his Confederate General from his time fighting in the American Civil War, he was acquitted, and thereafter gave up crime for good.

A remarkable piece of Western American memorabilia in very good condition.

Category: Autographs