Unique Vintage 5" x 7" Photo of Judge Roy Bean’s Famous Pet Bear “Bruno” in front of his Opera House Town Hall and Seat of Justice Building.

The bottom of the photo reads:
“Judge Roy Bean’s Famous Pet Bear, in Front of his Opera House, Town Hall and Seat of Justice Building near the Jersey Lilly Saloon in 1903.”

The verso of the photo is numbered 105, and features a stamp which reads:
“This print is from the 2500 negatives pertaining to the Wester Frontier, owned outright by Frontier Pix, 114 Santa Fe, Houston, Texas. Any reproduction, copying, morgue use, ETC., is forbidden, and our authorization must be had each time used.”

Phantly Roy Bean Jr. was an American saloon-keeper and Justice of the Peace in Val Verde County, Texas who called himself "The Only Law West of the Pecos". Bean held court in his saloon along the Rio Grande on a desolate stretch of the Chihuahuan Desert of southwest Texas.

From the archives of famous Old West photographer John Tackett.

Likely from the early 20th century.

John Tackett owned a photography studio in Coffeyville, where Tackett would capture many famous images. 

Provenance: 

1. John Tackett Archives
2. Jim and Theresa Earle Collection
3. Bonhams Los Angeles

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses. 

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