RARE 1880s W.S. Bryan Publisher's Prospectus - Border Outlaws Jesse/Frank James For Sale

This historical document is a rare 1880s publisher's prospectus (advertisement) for the true-crime book titled The Border Outlaws: The Younger Brothers, Jesse and Frank James, and Their Bands of Desperate Highwaymen, written by J.W. Buel and published by W.S. Bryan of St. Louis, Missouri.

Here is a breakdown of the key sections visible on the front side:

1. Main Title & Promotional Details

• The Book Title: Prominently advertises a complete and thrilling history of the Jesse and Frank James gang and the Younger Brothers.

• Illustrations: Highlights that the book features 12 fine full-page colored plates executed in "five brilliant colors," noting that the illustrations alone cost twenty-five hundred dollars to produce. It also boasts over 200 pages and numerous late portraits and engraving illustrations.

2. Portraits of the Outlaws

The document features individual portrait engravings of the notorious gang members at the bottom:

• Jesse James and Frank James

• Coleman (Cole) Younger, James (Jim) Younger, and Robert (Bob) Younger

3. "A Reward of $25,000" Section

A major marketing feature on the left side is a replica or description of the massive $25,000 reward offered by the state and express companies for the capture of the James and Younger brothers, adding an authentic, sensationalist element to attract buyers.

4. Sales Pitch & Price

• Pricing: It lists the buying options for the book depending on the binding style:

• Cloth, Gold Side, and Back: $1.50

• Leather Binding, Library Style: $2.00

• Agents Wanted: A section at the bottom left reads "Agents Wanted Everywhere," encouraging people to sign up to sell copies of the book for a lucrative commission.

5. Historical Handwritten Inscription

Across the center of the document, there is an old handwritten ink note that appears to read:

"Addufo Boothe and Bates, Burlington, Ohio"

The reverse side of the publisher's prospectus, acts as a detailed promotional broadside diving into the specific contents of J.W. Buel's book.

Here is a breakdown of the key elements on the back side:

1. "The Most Thorough, Reliable and Startling History"

This section serves as a direct pitch to the reader, claiming that the author, J.W. Buel, obtained exclusive and authentic material. It highlights a unique section titled "Between the Author and Cole Younger," explaining that Buel carried on extensive correspondence with Cole Younger while he was imprisoned in the Minnesota State Prison at Stillwater.

2. Notable Historical Scenes (Woodcut Engravings)

The back features dramatic illustrations to entice readers with the action inside the book:

• Top Center Illustration: Depicts a dramatic interaction or standoff involving the outlaws, heavily detailing their exploits.

• Bottom Left Illustration: Shows a violent skirmish, likely representing the gang's activities during the Civil War under Quantrill's Guerrillas, or one of their notorious train and bank robberies.

3. Key Text Highlights & Selling Points

The promotional text uses bold, sensationalized headings grouped to outline what the book covers:

• The Guerrilla War Record: Details their origins fighting under the "Black Flag" with Quantrill and the "Black Band of Kansas."

• The Northfield Raid: Prominently mentions the disastrous 1876 bank robbery in Northfield, Minnesota, which led to the capture of the Younger brothers.

• Mysterious Cave: Mentions a feature on the secret hideouts used by the gang, specifically referencing a cave in Jackson County, Missouri.

4. Handwritten Note

On the bottom-left, there is another vintage pencil inscription that appears to link back to the note on the front side and looks like:

"A. W. Bates, Agent, , Ohio"

Paper is original and very old. Stains and/or water marks are pictured. It will be shipped inside the protective plexiglass pieces. Sold as pictured.