#12 • Large Framed Collage of Items Pertaining to Outlaw Frank James

Part of Antiques, Firearms, Militaria, Collectibles from Bardstown Collector and Others. (timed auction by Wardlow Auctions)

High bid $1,550.00

Status: Sold

Category: Collectibles

A Kentucky connection to outlaw Frank James is included in the large framed collage. It contains a 1942 deposition by Ora Sayers (Deatsville, KY) and recitation by John W. Muir (Bardstown, KY) of recollections of their family ties and acquaintance with Frank and Jesse James. Also included are: 1) what is said to be a piece of paper with a Kearney, MO reference and Frank James signature as A F James; 2) an antique boot knife (with bone handle and decorative worn leather sheath) that is labeled "Frank James Boot Knife"; 3) what looks to be an old photograph of Frank James with his son Robert and 3 ladies reportedly on the James Farm; and 4) a large copy of a photo of 6 men including Frank James and Nelson County Sheriff Donnie Pence. It appears that Frank James was friends with the Sayers family and when Frank died, Mrs. James sent a couple of Frank's items (a U.S. belt buckle and a clothes brush) to Finetta Sayers after which Finetta requested that upon her death they be given to friend John W. (Jack) Muir. The documents also indicated that in later years Frank James was known to have stopped in and taught Ms. Finetta's Sunday School class at the New Salem Baptist Church near Deatsville, KY. Wardlow Auctions offers no guarantee as to the authenticity of the autograph or the boot knife.  If the boot knife genuinely was that of Frank James, what a treasure; if not, what a story.  Regardless, this is a nicely presented piece of history documenting the James's ties to Kentucky. Size: 26"w x 33.5"h x 3"d.