Measurement: Frame: 16.25" x 14.25"; sign: 12.5" x 8.125"
Material: Heavy sheet brass, includes a walnut frame having a Hotel Cody back mark.
Condition: Excellent.
Additional Information: A HISTORIC TRADE SIGN FOR CATHOUSE – HOUSE OF ILL REPUTE
Madam Dora DuFran or Dora Bolshaw (née Amy Helen Dorothy Bolshaw) (November 16, 1868 - August 5,
1934) was one of the leading and most successful madams in the Old West days of South Dakota.
More than a few inhabitants of early Fargo sought economic opportunities in the local sex trade, and the
intersectionality of class, gender, sexuality, and race was central to their varying degrees of success. Early
day Belle Fourche was a cow town, catering to the needs and wishes of the cattlemen and cowboys. One
street, now 5th Avenue, is still called Saloon Street by old-timers.
Dora was born in Liverpool, England and immigrated to the United States with her parents Joseph John
(November 14, 1842 - March 26, 1911) and Isabella Neal (Cummings) Bolshaw (November 12, 1844 - April
12, 1911) sometime around 1869. The family settled first at Bloomfield, New Jersey, then moved to Lincoln,
Nebraska in 1876 or 1877. Dora was an extremely good-looking woman in her youth and became involved
in prostitution around the age of 13 or 14. She then became a dance hall girl, calling herself Amy Helen
Bolshaw. The gold rush hit Deadwood, South Dakota when she was around 15…the enterprising Dora
promoted herself to Madam and began operating a brothel; she is widely credited with coining the term
“cathouse” for a house of prostitution. Madam Dora DuFran one of the most successful businesswomen in
South Dakota operating several brothels. The most popular was called "Diddlin' Dora's", located on Fifth
Avenue in Belle Fourche, South Dakota. "Diddlin' Dora's” advertised itself as 'Three D's - Dining, Drinking,
and Dancing - a place where you can bring your mother.' That may have been true of the lower level,
perhaps, but the upstairs was reserved for her girls and their clients. Dora’s occupation was
commemorated with little devils depicted dancing on the urns that decorated her eventual grave. She
donated a huge amount of money to those in need, often offering up her rooms to the sick and the
struggling. She was known for her surprisingly good relationship with her husband, Joseph, who is buried
beside her and her pet parrot in a family plot.
As you desire my autograph, at 80 years of age – the only Artist living who ever
painted Washington from the life, I give it with pleasure; but to render it to some
service to the cause of Temperance, permit me to add, that my hand is now as
steady as it was at eighteen – enabling me to paint with undiminished faculty and
pleasure.
Respectfully Yours
Rembrandt Peale
At the age of eighteen, Rembrandt Peale painted his famous portrait of Washington
from life as his father, Charles Willson Peale observed.
Washington posed for Charles Willson Peale while in Philadelphia attending the
Constitutional Convention. Relying on a long personal association, Peale approached
Washington on his son's behalf in 1795, the President agreed to three sittings.
The young Rembrandt Peale captured the grandeur of Washington; the artist captured
the determination and the sheer physical presence, a remarkably faithful likeness of
Washington. Rembrandt demonstrated a near obsession with Washington and
replicated his famous portrait seventy-nine times.
"A Full True and Correct Copy of the Original on file and made in my Office and entered Oct 31, 1955 Judgment Book 2988 Page 88 (signed by) M. Leach, Deputy, and then (at the bottom) by Judge Elmer D Doyle". This certified copy was most likely made as proof of divorce for banking or legal reasons. A wonderful, displayable artifact from perhaps the most famous courtship and marriage of the 20th Century. A plethora of information is available on the internet for Joe Di Maggio, Marilyn Monroe, Norma Jeanne Di Maggio, the marriage, the divorce, and more! And who was not enamored by the
story? This writer was fascinated, and I was only 1 year old at the time.
On legal paper, 8.5" x 13.5" unframed, with a fold at the 10" line leaving a nice display area of 8.5" x 10" with 2 paper punch holes at the top for placement in legal binder. Deputy Leach signature and certificate date in blue ink as is Judge Elmer D. Doyle’s signature at the 10" line; Immediately after Doyle's signature at the 10th inch
of the paper, with Doyle's signature slightly folded (buy can be unfolded
for framing or display. In plastic slip jacket. Excellent Condition.
FWIW: The Di Maggio Wedding Certificate sold at auction for $123k. That's how much collectors love the story and the celebrities involved. Ken Goldin of Golding Auctions used this quote at the time Goldin Auctions achieved the 123k sale " Despite the divorce, they remained friends until her death in 1962 from a drug overdose, and DiMaggio had roses delivered to her grave every week after her death until he died in 1999, according to the Post.". Of course, the Wedding Certificate was the sole, personal document issued on the day of their marriage (Jan 14, 1954), and Weddings are more glamorous than divorces, and of course the Divorce Certificate is just an official contemporary copy, but Gees!
Measurement: 8 vo.5 5/8" x 8 3/8" 300 numbered pages
Material: Rebound in brown calf.
Condition: Very readable. Pages clean, Overall nice, refreshed copy
Additional Information: Monsieur Pierre Marie Francois de Pages was a French
naval officer and world traveler adventuring through North America. Later, de Pages
accompanied an expedition towards the South Pole in 1773-4 and towards the North
Pole in 1776
Condition: Good, small paper loss at upper right margin; loss at bottom right
margin…some toning as depicted.
Additional Information: A lion with the head of William Pitt the Younger and a unicorn
with that of Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount of Melville support the escutcheon framing the
vignette showing a family seated at dinner that is interrupted by a tax-collector (left). He
carries off a large pudding, a banner overhead reads, "Tax on Income", to the dismay of
husband, wife, and three children only a small slice of pudding is left on the dish… Pitt
says: "Give all thou cans't \ And let me dream the rest;" [Pope's 'Eloisa to Abelard']
Within Dundas banner: "Man wants but little here below, \ Nor wants, that little long!"
[Young's 'Night Thoughts'.] Surmounting the crest is a lean 'Fortunatus's Purse' and 'Wishing Cap'; these rest on a cushion inscribed 'Value \ Above what you are Worth \
Nothing'. Pitt and Dundas stand on a scroll reading: 'BLESSED IS HE THAT
EXPECTETH NOTHING. – FOR HE SHALL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED’.
Condition: Inscribed "Betty Bentsen 1925" in ink on title page. (inscription pre-dates
printing). Some shelf wear and signs of use.
Additional Information: Harry Stillwell Edwards (1855-1938) was an American
journalist, novelist, and poet, born at Macon, Georgia. He studied law at Mercer
University, Macon, and graduated in 1877. He was assistant editor and editor of Macon
journals (1881-1888), gaining distinction as a writer of dialect stories. This book
represents classical Southern Racist Views of the 19th Century, and although culturally
significant, may be found offensive to most.
Condition: Missing and half missing pages, significant wear from use, Still, a copy
worthy of restoration including cleaning, replacing missing pages, etc.
Additional Information: Considered an important social statement, and as such is
widely reprinted.
Annotated: The Composition and Penmanship of Almira Clapp, when fifteen years of
age. Born in 1801. As depicted, there are three mended tears; not examined out of
frame. (Frame: 22.5" x 15.75"; view: 21" x 14.25"))
24 clipped autographs, unsearched or researched. Appear to be late 18th, early 19th C.
Names include Bernard Henry, Thomas Oxnard, Josh Dodge, John Mahieu, etc. See
scans and determine your interest. Consignor claimed an association with T. Jefferson,
possibly an ambassador. Yours to figure out. Look over the clips to decide. I am afraid
we will not be able to answer questions on this lot. Interesting looking lot! (We have
four pages of related information that will accompany the lot)
Condition: Cut as expected, but no major issues.
Unframed 16 x 10 document for land in Michigan. Document ink has lightened, but readable by
someone with great eyes and some magnification. Signed by James Buchanan as President (sect?)
with appropriate counter signatures. An affordable way to own a presidential document
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