Josie Earp and Kaloma

WHAT READERS WANT TO KNOW:

2009-05-18T16:47:00.000-07:00

Dear Mr. Elvin: So what's the bottom line? Is that gal in the skimpy gown Josie or not? Al M., Tempe AZ.
Dear Al: I'm a researcher and investigator. Although the book probably makes my opinion pretty clear, I wasn't out to pass judgment. My mission was to pile up the facts and expert opinions so the reader can make an informed decision. I think you'll find enough information in the book, both historical and technical, to make up your own mind.
Dear Mr. Elvin: I've seen where there are hundreds, maybe thousands, of these images that have sold for very high prices over the Internet. What are those buyers going to do if that's not Josie? Lauri R., Little Rock, AR.
Dear Lauri: Well, that's a question that launched me on six months of digging into this mystery. I guess you might say the answer is between the buyer and their God; this is a case of possible misrepresentation rather than outright fraud. Auction lore is rich with stories of sellers sticking it to buyers and more of those stories are being created every day. At least potential buyers who read this book can make an informed decision.
Dec. 26, 2007: Just noticed on eBay you can buy a reprint of the Josie/Kaloma photo for about $20 ... http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-B-W-Kaloma-Wyatt-Earps-Wife-Josie-4-x-10_W0QQitemZ260187321347QQihZ016QQcategoryZ1507QQcmdZViewItem

Announcing: The Truth About Kaloma!

2009-04-30T11:02:00.000-07:00

New Book Probes Photo Mystery:
Is This Wyatt Earp’s Wife, Josie?

A new book, “Kaloma: The Josie Earp Mystery Photo,” by investigative reporter and antiques researcher W.J. Elvin III, probes the authenticity of a controversial vintage photo identified as legendary lawman Wyatt Earp’s third wife, Josie. While buyers treat the photo as a valuable rarity, experts interviewed in the book charge that the Josie Earp attribution is bogus.

“I went digging for the truth about a quirky mystery that sparked a storm of arguments among western history buffs. In the process I discovered that collectors who buy via the Internet face perils and pitfalls unknown in the past,” Elvin said.

The pin-up style portrait has reportedly sold for as much as $4,500 and often appears in auction sites offered for hundreds. “Those who have bought the photo are not going to be heartened by my findings,” Elvin said. “It’s very possible that their hundreds or thousands of dollars bought a photo worth twenty-five dollars -- if it’s in a twenty dollar frame.”

“Kaloma” includes extensive exclusive comments from experts in historical, technical and commercial aspects of vintage photography. “I interviewed insiders,” Elvin said, “so the reader isn’t just wading through a rehash of twice-told tales.”

A rare photo of Josie from her Tombstone days, a portrait by noted western photographer C.S. Fly, appears in a “Photo Gallery” section of the book. Experts who question the authenticity of the “Kaloma” photo agree that the Fly portrait is genuine.

The book sheds new documentary light on the uproar surrounding Glenn Boyer, author of “I Married Wyatt Earp.” Having vowed never again to discuss the issue, Boyer ultimately answered many questions posed by the author. Scholars, history buffs and Wyatt Earp fans, as well as those intrigued by tales of controversies in the antiques field, will find much to ponder in “Kaloma.”

“Investors in vintage photography who want to avoid costly mistakes should read this before they spend another penny on their collections,” Elvin added. It explores the fundamentals and spotlights the traps of the field -- such as the distinguishing characteristics of fake and genuine photos. A detailed directory of resources is included for those wishing to learn more about vintage photos as well as the Boyer controversy.

A nationally known investigative reporter and columnist, Elvin edited several popular publications in the antiques field. He is author of hundreds of feature articles and now researches and writes about antiques, antiquities and collectibles as investments, focusing on fraud and misrepresentation. Among Internet sites he maintains is antiquetreasures.blogspot.com.

The privately-published 138-page paperback is available from Lulu: http://www.lulu.com/content/804307 for $14.95 plus shipping. Credentialed reviewers may request a pdf version from wmelvin3@yahoo.com.

Out of Print

2009-04-19T19:39:00.000-07:00

We've sold out of our copies and cancelled the Lulu account ... we'll let you know when the book is again available.

eBayers: Maybe You Should Read This Book...

2007-06-21T07:14:00.000-07:00

With only eight hours to go, a recent auction of the Kaloma print on eBay stood at less that $100 with 15 bids. The honest seller remarked that the print was "rumored to be Wyatt Earp's wife." But for some reason another eBayer wrote in with this message:
"No rumor. That's Josie."

For a slightly different take on the matter, see the Old West blog.
The author has this to say: "Most people will tell you that the picture shown here is that of Wyatt Earp's wife Josephine Sarah Marcus Earp. Why is it that we believe this? Well it all started with a lie and has grown to the point that the movies Tombstone and Wyatt Earp virtually made it a fact."

Paging P.T. Barnum! More Evidence for You, Sir!

2007-06-16T03:32:00.000-07:00

Maine Antique Digest reports on a recent sale by Classique Erotique Auctions, Phoenix, Arizona: "A great deal of interest was shown in a 20th-century American school 1914 vintage hand-tinted silver print titled Kaloma, sometimes believed to depict Wyatt Earp's wife. The 12" x 5" print, blind-stamped in the lower margin "Copyright 1914 - P.N. CO. Pastime Novelty Co.," sold for $3300, (est. $2500/ 3500).

'There always has been a lot of hype surrounding this image," gallery director Amanda Collins said, "but it pretty much has been proven that she is not Wyatt Earp's wife. Nonetheless, there was great interest in it.'"

As this is written an eBay auction of the same print has 15 bids for the same print, with the high bid at $115.

Kind Words for "Kaloma"

2007-05-24T22:30:00.000-07:00

(Editor's Note: My friend Marty Egan is a retired history teacher and fellow writer. While his review is no doubt influenced by our friendship, those who know him would suggest that he would maintain silence rather than write fluff. Marty is a fan of western lore and has read quite a bit about the subject):

KALOMA: The Josie Earp Mystery Photo

Writers who deal with historical figures fall into two general camps. The first and most common are those who enjoy a good story about their subject, especially a racy one, and don’t hesitate to embellish here and there. (These are the “If it didn’t happen that way, it should have” school.)
Then there are those who use a scientific approach, who only draw conclusions from hard evidence and provable facts. W.J. Elvin is solidly in the latter group. A career journalist on the Washington political beat, Mr. Elvin has a well-developed instinct for spotting con men and their agendas.

He has written a double purpose book here. He tells the story of a semi-famous photo of a young woman in what was called the “vamp” style, made popular in the early years of the last century, and claimed by some to be Josephine Marcus Earp, third and last wife of Wyatt Earp. Then he takes us down the twisted trail of the picture’s history, introducing us to a number of fascinating characters, including two who deserve books of their own - - Earp “experts” and collectors John D. Gilchriese and Glenn Boyer. Meeting Mr. Boyer alone is worth the price of this book.

Kaloma (the title refers to the original “name” of the picture) leaves no doubt where Mr. Elvin stands on the questionable authenticity of the photo, but he also provides a valuable guide through the murky swamp that is Western memorabilia. Anyone interested in collecting historical material, and Western documents in particular should not only read but memorize Mr. Elvin’s advice.

Wyatt Earp-related Material on eBay

2007-05-05T05:14:00.000-07:00

If you have any doubt that material related to Wyatt Earp is hot stuff these days, take a look at the listings on eBay. The last time I checked there were over 200 items. While there are plenty of reasons to buy "Kaloma: The Josie Earp Mystery Photo," surely one good reason is that one day it will show up here as a sought-after collectible.

Talking It Up

2007-05-03T09:45:00.000-07:00

Pleased to see mention of the book on the Lawmen, Outlaws and Assorted Miscreants bulletin board. Also the Tombstone History (link isn't working: disc.server.com/Indices/39627.html) discussion forum. Plus a lengthy mention in The Washington Times!

Tefertiller's Take on the Josie/Kaloma Book

2007-04-15T09:22:00.000-07:00

(Note: Casey is among the most strident critics of the central character of my book, Glenn Boyer, who has without doubt given him cause. From a web biography: "Casey Tefertiller is a former writer for the San Francisco Examiner and the author of many books about the American West. His most recent publications, including Wyatt Earp: The Life Behind the Legend," His comments first appeared in the Tombstone History Discussion Forum. http://disc.server.com/Indices/39627.html. )
By Casey Tefertiller

I just received the Kaloma book that has been mentioned on this site, and I expect everyone here will want it on their bookshelves. There are a few things worth mentioning.

This is quite an interesting work. I heard a senator say that because no one seems to like the new immigration bill, that is probably an indication that it is fair and good for all sides. If that is a standard of success, this book succeeds in the same way.

The book is about the picture: attempting to reach a conclusion as to whether the picture is really Josephine Earp or not. The key evidence presented comes from interviews with Jeremy Rowe, another photo expert named Alex Novak and Glenn Boyer. In my opinion, Jeremy Rowe's article in True West a few years ago was pretty close to definitive on this subject, but the additional information from Novak is quite interesting.

Elvin takes Boyer's explanations and skewers the illogic of them, usually gently but clearly. He does so first with the photo, then second in another section where Elvin discusses “I Married Wyatt Earp.” Elvin takes pains to demonstrate that the book may not be what is advertised, but he assures that it is not a “fraud.” He makes the case that because Boyer believes what he says, the book is not fraudulent, even though the material is phony. OK – you have to read it, since I am not going to get it straight. Even while doing this, he demonstrates some of Boyer's faulty logic. Elvin also says that the book contains clues that should have made researchers aware it was not really Josephine Earp's autobiography. He does NOT deal with the question of why numerous writers accepted it as factual – an obvious question that needed addressing to make this case.

There are some interesting points in all this. Elvin deals with Boyer's explanations as if they were in a vacuum – that what he says now is what he has always said. Just about all of us here have been around long enough to know that is not the case, and that Boyer has consistently evolved his explanations as time has passed. Some of us even recall when he appeared on these boards assuring that these were the words of Josephine Earp, then changed his story just weeks later to “creative nonfiction.”

Elvin does not deal with any evolution, just Boyer as is now. Much of the background information is available in the archives attached to this board. As such, he is not kind to those who questioned Boyer and takes several slight jabs, such as referring to the criticism as “shrill.” It should be noted that he did not contact Jeff, Gary, me or (to my knowledge) anyone who could provide any insight onto the subject. He does quote from previous comments, some without providing the source.

At one point, he recreates the gunfight. His source: Wikipedia !?!

Here is the opening line of the book: “October 26, 1881 ... There are many tellers of the tale, and it is told in many different ways. But all agree that Josephine Marcus, known to us as Josie Earp, rushed to Wyatt's side on that cold and bloody afternoon in Tombstone, Arizona Territory.”

Yikes.

Altogether, he is kind to Boyer while showing that what he says makes little sense. He shows that Boyer presented both a false picture and a false book, but defends it for not being fraudulent. Although he is very aware the picture and IMWE are not as billed, he seems to accept Boyer's word for various other things, without contacting anyone who could provide contrary evidence. The simple question would be, if he is aware that Boyer presented false information, why would he believe what he says?

I will be very eager to hear what others have to say.

(Note: I responded briefly to some of Casey's remarks in a follup note: "I appreciate the time Mr. Tefertiller or anyone else takes to study and comment on the book. And I'd have to agree he nailed me on the purplish prose of that opening paragraph; I overdosed on Saturday matinee cowboy movies I guess. As for Wikipedia's research, well, the whole point of the effort is to alert folks who might spend outrageous sums of money on a highly questionnable photo...the rest of it, whether Wiki or Wacky, is intended to be supportive of that effort. I mean, if you want to read about the gunfight there are plenty of books about that; my focus is on the "yes or no" of the alleged Josie photo. Anyway, it's kind of nice to be able to reply promptly to a review, generally a lot of time would pass and nobody would remember what the heck it was all about.") WJE III

Mysterious Kaloma: Worth a Small Fortune?

2006-09-27T18:58:00.000-07:00

Josie Earp was much relieved to find Wyatt still standing on that cold October afternoon 175 years ago in Tombstone, Arizona Territory. He’d survived the vicious 30-second “Gunfight at the O.K. Corral,” the legendary event chronicled in a library of fact, fiction and gray-area mystery. One of those mysteries involves a vintage photo, alleged to be a portrait of the woman who rushed to Wyatt’s side that day.
For some years now one of the most common collectibles to make an appearance in the marketplace is a risqué photo identified as Wyatt’s wife, Josephine Marcus “Josie” Earp. The photo is “vintage,” meaning there’s no question that it dates back to the turn of the last century – give or take twenty years. One print sold for more than $4,500, and others have sold for thousands or hundreds. But while it has defenders as a genuine portrait of Josie, there are experts who flat-out declare the attribution is wrong. Very wrong.
(To continue with a fascinating story that unravels much of the confusion and controversy, order the new book "Kaloma: The Josie Earp Mystery Photo."