Only Authenticated Portrait of Billy the Kid

The only known authenticated portrait of the infamous outlaw Billy the Kid recently sold for $2.3 million at an auction in Denver, Colorado. It depicts the gunfighter in rumpled clothes and a hat, gazing at the camera, while holding a 1873 Winchester rifle in one hand and a Colt revolver at his hip.

The tintype, an early form of photo using metal plates, is believed to have been taken outside a saloon at Fort Sumner, New Mexico in either 1879 or 1880.

Billy the Kid is widely thought to have killed 21 people, although some sources put the figure as high as 27. He was captured and sentenced to hang for the 1878 murder of a county sheriff. After escaping, he was hunted down and killed by Sheriff Patrick Floyd Garrett on July 14, 1881.

"There's only one photo of Billy the Kid, and I think that's why it captivates people's imagination," said Melissa McCracken, a spokeswoman from the auction house.

Brian Lebel's Annual Old West Show & Auction website
via [Associated Press]

Tags: Billy the Kid, The Only Authentic Portrait of Billy the Kid

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Comment by sAm on June 29, 2011 at 12:35pm: Incredible!

Comment by ricardo.deleitosa on June 29, 2011 at 12:22pm: Yes! you cant imagine how hot its in Madrid today...watching a gooood western in an air conditioned cinema, mmmmm

By the way, there is a new cinema in London...its like a living room, with veeeery confy armchairs and a bar at the back, they serve you drinks during the film projection. Its a bit more expensive than a normal cinema. I think its a great idea!!!

Comment by Alyssa Anda on June 29, 2011 at 11:47am: Ricardo, thanks for sharing! :)

This photo makes me want to watch a good western movie! I just love when history comes to life like this! :)

Comment by ricardo.deleitosa on June 28, 2011 at 12:45pm: DUE TO THIS PHOTOGRAPH, MANY PEOPLE THOUGH HE WAS LEFT HANDED (THE POSITION OF HIS PISTOL), BUT THE PHOTOGRAPH IS INVERTED!!!