Press Release - June 13, 2012

Annie Oakley’s Shotgun Brings $143,400 In Heritage Auctions’ $4+ Million Wild West, Civil War & Militaria Event

Legendary Sharpshooter’s Annie Oakley’s Shotgun leads Wild West event at Heritage auctions; Oakley’s Stetson hat brings $17,925; entire Oakley trove brings nearly $520,000; Buffalo Bill’s favorite gun brings $239,000

DALLAS – Annie Oakley’s historic Parker Brothers 12-gauge shotgun, consigned for sale by her great-grandnieces and offered to the public for the first time by Heritage Auctions in Dallas, brought $143,400 on Sunday, June 10, during the company’s $2.47+ million “Legends of the Wild West” auction. Oakley's iconic Stetson hat, also consigned by the famous shooter’s heirs, brought $17,925. All prices include a 19.5% Buyer’s Premium.

The entire consignment of Annie Oakley artifacts from the family brought $518,875.

“Annie Oakley was arguably America’s first female superstar, touring the US and the world in the late 1800's and early 20th century and demonstrating her legendary Wild West sharp shooting skills,” said Tom Slater, Director of Historical Auctions for Heritage. “The intense interest and great prices this auction brought show the ongoing fascination people have with Annie Oakley and highlight the value of 125 years of careful stewardship by her loved ones.”

Also major points of interest in Heritage’s Legends of the Wild West auction were William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody’s favorite gun, a Civil War-issue Remington New Model Army .44 percussion revolver, which realized $239,000 and Sitting Bull’s original 1885 contract to appear in Buffalo Bill's Wild West, Signed by the Great Sioux Chief, the most famous Indian leader of his day. One of the most exciting and hotly contested lots of the auction, it rose amidst spirited bidding to finish the day at $155,350.

Other important Oakley shooting rifles were also the subject of intense pre-auction interest and final prices-realized that went well beyond their pre-auction estimates. An important Marlin .22 Caliber Rifle, Serial #431188, owned by Annie, brought $71,700 and another significant Marlin .22 Caliber Rifle, Serial # 1428, owned and used by Annie in some of her most important public moments, brought $83,650.