Wild West posters offer a window into Buffalo Bill’s marketing prowess Local News

“Advertising the Frontier Myth: Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Posters” will be on display in the Anne & Charles Duncan Special Exhibition Gallery. The immersive showcase offers a glimpse into the promotional genius of William F. Cody and his legendary Wild West Company.

It features posters from the Jack Rennert Collection, acquired by Naoma J. Tate and the family of Hal R. Tate, as well as selections from the Center’s extensive holdings. Over 30 large-scale vintage posters and original photographs will be included, as well as engaging interactive elements.

Buffalo Bill’s Wild West remains iconic not only for its namesake, but also for its unprecedented marketing success. Led by Major “Arizona John” Burke, Cody’s marketing team produced a myriad of posters, highlighting the grandeur and drama of the show.

The exhibition’s guest curator is Michelle Delaney of the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, who is also associate editor of The Papers of William F. Cody at the Center. She is the author of “Art and Advertising in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West.”

Delaney’s ideas guided the exhibition, which delves into the cultural heritage, mythmaking and global impact of Cody’s Wild West phenomenon. It also explores the dynamic intersection of art and advertising.

“It will teach you a lot about the history of the Wild West, the posters that convey the diversity of it, the many different artists represented,” Delaney said.

The exhibit includes larger-than-life color posters of Buffalo Bill Cody, Annie Oakley, Johnny Baker, Native Americans, American Cowboys, South American Vaqueros and the Congress of World Rough Riders. From experienced horsemen to dramatic re-enactments of the history of the American West, these fascinating images have shaped lasting impressions of the spectacle of the Wild West.

The posters provide a window into Cody’s pioneering use of modern marketing techniques, influencing perceptions of the American West at the turn of the 20th century and reflecting on the myths and stereotypes of the era. With their delicate nature, printed over a century ago, these rare Wild West posters provide a unique opportunity to bear witness to history and appreciate the challenges of conserving such fragile works of art.

In addition to the main exhibit, related exhibits at the Center’s Cody Firearms Museum and McCracken Research Library will feature used artifacts and photos by Old West artists.

For members, the Center will organize a preview on May 17, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The exhibit, which runs through Oct. 24, is supported by partial funding from Wyoming Humanities.