Doc Holliday's frock coat stars at $2.9m Harrisburg auction

The highly anticipated auction of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania's artefacts from the Wild West has realised a total of $2.9m at Guernsey's, with Doc Holliday's frock coat among the highlights.

Doc Holliday Frock Coat
Doc Holliday was a famous gambler and gunfighter who took part in the legendary gunfight at the OK Corral


Taking place on July 15-21, the auction was held to help pay off the city's debts, with the remarkable collection amassed by former city mayor Stephen Reed.

Holliday's frock coat was among the highest selling items in the sale, bringing $55,000 - a 1,733% increase on estimate.

This price was matched by a Wyatt and Mattie Earp-signed document, which made an 83.3% increase on its high estimate of $30,000.

Wyatt Earp was an Arizona lawman famed for his part in the 1881 gunfight at the OK Corral, alongside Holliday.

Another Wyatt Earp legal document made $16,000, while an Earp-owned pistol sold for $35,000. His shotgun made $20,000.

 

A gun once owned by Theodore Roosevelt was the top seller of the auction, making $116,000.

Also among the top selling items was Doc Holliday's dental chair, a remnant from his career as a dentist before becoming a gambler and gunfighter. It brought $40,000.

Fellow gambler and lawman Wild Bill Hickok's knife, which was enclosed with its own wooden presentation box, achieved a 250% increase on its $4,000 high estimate to sell for $14,000.

Further highlights included Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show star Annie Oakley's suede coat, which auctioned for $6,000.

Paul Fraser Collectibles has a fantastic signed note from Annie Oakley for sale, which is framed with an image of the "Little Sure shot".

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