Richard “Deadwood Dick” Clarke autograph on the return address portion of an original mailed envelope, measuring approximately 6 x 3.5 inches. The envelope is addressed to Miss Katharine Mary Hill of Chicago, Illinois, and bears a Deadwood, South Dakota postmark dated January 15, 1930, with period U.S. postage affixed. Clarke has signed and annotated the upper left return area in ink, identifying himself as “Richard Wm Clarke (Deadwood Dick), Deadwood, So. Dak.”
The envelope exhibits a vertical central fold, along with overall toning, light soiling, and a missing portion at the right edge below the stamp, consistent with age and postal handling. The signature remains clear and legible.
Richard Clarke (15 December 1845 – 5 May 1930), born in Yorkshire, England, was a United States frontiersman, Pony Express rider, actor, and armed forces member who was widely considered by the American public to be the original inspiration for Deadwood Dick. During his career, Clarke fought alongside George Armstrong Custer at the Battle of Little Bighorn and in his work with the Pony Express, Clarke often had to defend himself, others, and his cargo from Sioux raiders.
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