The world premiere of the major international exhibition, Buffalo Bill's Wild West, opens this summer at the Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds (29 May to 5 September). The exhibition will present a vivid insight into one of the most dramatic periods in American history – the 'taming' of the Wild West – and reflect on one of its central and most romantic characters, W. F. 'Buffalo Bill' Cody, who, from being one of the greatest scouts and trackers of the Indian Wars became the most flamboyant showman of his or any other time.
With over 250 objects, Buffalo Bill's Wild West will feature many items from private collections in the United States that have never previously been exhibited to the public. Items include the 'Deadwood Stagecoach', last seen in the UK in 1903 when Cody used it to illustrate a famous Indian attack that became a major feature of his show, some of Annie Oakley's guns, a tipi, Cody's own silver-inlaid saddle, and the revolver he took in his legendary fight with the Sioux Indian chief, Yellow Hand.
When it toured Europe and England in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Buffalo Bill's Wild West show played to enormous crowds. Indeed, its phenomenal success is unparalleled in entertainment history. Buffalo Bill's Wild West tells his extraordinary story and that of some of the many colourful characters who appeared in the shows; people such as 'Wild Bill' Hickok, Annie Oakley, Pawnee Bill and the Sioux Indian Chief, Sitting Bull.
The exhibition has been designed to excite the interests of adults and children alike and is the first international exhibition to be mounted by the Royal Armouries in its museum in Leeds. Buffalo Bill's Wild West will travel in the USA from April 2000 where it will be shown in Los Angeles, Oklahoma City and Nashville.
For photographs and background pack please contact Nicholas Boole at the Royal Armouries: 0113 220 1948 or HYPERLINK mail to: nboole@armouries.org.uk nboole@armouries.org.uk
The book linked with this exciting event is of course Greenhill's Buffalo Bill's Wild West by Larry Wilson and Greg Martin. '
If ever the cliché about becoming a legend in a lifetime was true it was in William Cody's case. This volume traces his life from very ordinary beginnings through his life as a scout and then an international exhibitor mixing with all the royal families. During this amazing life he met so many of the characters, such as Wild Bill Hickok, Sitting Bull and Annie Oakley, whose names have come to represent the Wild West. The book is filled with superb colour shots of items relevant to this incredible life. There are plenty of firearms shown as well as posters, programmes and souvenirs and items all to do with Bill.' – The Newsletter of the Arms and Armour Society reviewing Buffalo Bill's Wild West
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