[WILD WEST SHOWS]. CRAWFORD, John. W. "Captain Jack" (1847-1917). A group of 2 inscribed items, including book and portrait.

CRAWFORD, John Wallace "Captain Jack." Whar' the Hand O' God Is Seen. And Other Peoms. New York: New York Lyceum Publishing Co., 1910.

8vo. Frontispiece portrait. (Minor toning.) Original publisher's grey-green cloth gilt (spine slightly leaned, spine sunned).

FIRST EDITION of Crawford's book of poetry. With a typed 16-line poem dated 23 March 1912 tipped in SIGNED AND INSCRIBED BY CRAWFORD. The poem is "To John F. Skillings, Commander S.S. Cristobal." Crawford writes in ink: " Tis' of more value here I reck' / Than at the bottom of a check? Capt. Jack." Noting also that it was signed "on board Cristobal Mar. 24th." The Cristobal was the first ship to transit the Panama Canal.

[With:] 3 7/8 x 5 3/8 in. photograph of a 1913 painting of Captain Jack by Raoul M. Baligant (light creasing at corners. INSCRIBED BY CRAWFORD to verso of image: "This picture is from an oil painting by Raoul M. Baligant. The course are fine and the suns rays make a splendid effect."

Crawford served with Merritt and Crook, and Chief of Scouts for the Black Hills Rangers. Known as the "Poet Scout," he authored over 100 short stories and was a performer in Buffalo Bill's Wild West show.