Beschreibung:

Lot of 2 leather gauntlets with fringed side panels and red felt star appliques, belonging at one time to Doc Carver. Accompanied by letter of authenticity from Norm Flayderman stating that the gloves came from the Carver Collection passed on to Charles Nordin. Born in Winslow, IL, William "Doc" Carver (1840-1927) first trained as a dentist, but relocated to Nebraska in 1872 where he began to develop frontier skills including hunting, riding, and, most notably, marksmanship. In 1876, Carver launched his career as a showman, billing himself as "Champion Rifle Shot of the World" as he toured throughout the country giving shooting exhibitions. He also toured Europe in 1879, which included a residency at London's Crystal Palace. In 1883, Carver partnered with William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody in an early version of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show, billed as "Hon. W. F. Cody and Dr. W. F. Carver's Rocky Mountain and Prairie Exhibition." It only lasted one season, as the two showmen apparently had a clash of egos. They divided assets, and Cody joined with Nate Salsbury, forming Buffalo Bill's Wild West, which would last for decades. Carver also called his new show "Wild West," and the two fought for years over naming rights, the division of the earlier company, etc. The economic depression of the early 1890s and competition from many other "Wild West" shows finally seem to have destroyed Carver's show, but he continued shooting matches until about 1896 and also developed a diving horse act. Condition: Gauntlets with soft leather, evidence of wear on hands (dark color), and light staining throughout.