Promotional Materials from the 101 Ranch

[Oklahoma]: [101 Ranch]:

[Pair of Promotional Posters for the 101 Ranch, With Eight Illustrations of Western Scenes].

[Oklahoma: ca. 1900-1910]. Two broadsides, each measuring 19 x 13 inches. Old folds, some marginal tears and staining, minor loss along central vertical fold of one broadside, light foxing to images. Good condition overall with images very good or better. Item #12762

A rather intriguing pair of promotional posters for the 101 Ranch, once located near modern-day Ponca City, Oklahoma. The 101 Ranch was once one of the largest farm and ranch operations in the United States, and became well known in the early-20th century during the oil rush, and most notably, for hosting a popular Wild West Shows. The ranch was owned by the Miller Brothers, whose neighbor, Pawnee Bill convinced them to host their own show. The present illustrated broadsides contain four monotone photographs (four each) that were perhaps sent to promoters to use for promotional material for their traveling shows. Both posters are stamped "RETURN TO 101 RANCH" in the bottom margin. The illustrations show western scenes, including several pictures of ranch life, a chuck wagon, steer roping, and a group of Native American tepees. We find no other examples of similar material in auction records for 101 Ranch promotional material, and the stamps and the profusion of illustrations suggest that these were sent out to promoters of shows to use for printing of programs, or in some sort of mockup or other commercial motivation. An interesting, and likely unique, relic of a bygone Oklahoma ranch and its heyday hosting a Wild West Show performed by the likes of Will Rogers, Bill Pickett, Tom Mix, Lillian Smith, and numerous others, including an elderly Buffalo Bill.

"In 1881 George Washington Miller first used the 101 brand on his cattle, establishing what would become one of the most recognizable names in ranching and western entertainment. A native of Kentucky, he migrated west after the Civil War, settling in Missouri and driving cattle from Texas to the railway heads in Kansas. Miller later moved his ranch to land leased from the Quapaws, in present northeastern Oklahoma, and resided in Baxter Springs, Kansas. Then he relocated his family to Baxter Springs, Kansas, and his ranch to the Cherokee Outlet.... Although there are several stories of why the number 101 was chosen, the most repeated tale claims that it came from a saloon in San Antonio, Texas. After the federal government forced the ranchers out of the Outlet, in 1893 Miller leased Ponca land and continued his operations. The ranch eventually covered more than one hundred thousand acres. Miller's three sons, Joseph, Zachary, and George Lee, gradually became more and more involved in the family businesses. The ranch diversified by growing wheat, cotton, corn, sorghum, alfalfa, various fruit orchards, and vegetables. Livestock included cattle, bison, hogs, poultry, and several horse breeds.... The 101 experimented with crops, creating improved strains of corn and walnut, apple, and pecan trees. Promoted as the "greatest diversified farm on earth," the ranch continued to prosper in the early twentieth century. In 1909 Ernest W. Marland spearheaded the search for oil on ranch land, forming the 101 Ranch Oil Company. The successful oil venture increased the Millers' profits. The 101 earned most of its notoriety from the Wild West shows that it staged. Their show business career began in 1905 when the Millers invited the members of the National Editorial Association to Bliss, Oklahoma, and entertained them with a large exhibition, which they called 'Oklahoma's Gala Day.' The event showcased the skills of their ranch hands and American Indians, including the famous Apache Geronimo, who killed a bison from the front seat of a car" - The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture.

Price: $850