Texas Ranger Jack Hayes Carte de Visite and 1842 Handwritten & Signed Note
DESCRIPTIONThis set of historical artifacts, an original carte de visite of Texas Ranger John “Coffee Jack” Hayes and a signed note he wrote in 1842, is beautifully framed to show each to best effect.
With depth and shadow highlighting the antique paper, you can see the handwriting and ink of Hayes clearly, along with the beautiful original folds of the note.
History & context below.
DETAILS & MEASUREMENTSFrame measures 17" width x 19" height
Carte de visite image of Texas Ranger Jack Hayes measures 2.5" width x 4" height
Handwritten & signed note dated May 15, 1842
Artifacts in good antique condition, carefully framed
Frame itself has small blemish on top edge
Note reads "Received of Ignacio Chavis (sic) one Cow for the use of the Spy Company valued at Twelve Dollars $12.00. San Antonio May 15th 1842; John C. Hayes Com of Spy Comp."
DESCRIPTIONThis set of historical artifacts, an original carte de visite of Texas Ranger John “Coffee Jack” Hayes and a signed note he wrote in 1842, is beautifully framed to show each to best effect.
With depth and shadow highlighting the antique paper, you can see the handwriting and ink of Hayes clearly, along with the beautiful original folds of the note.
History & context below.
DETAILS & MEASUREMENTSFrame measures 17" width x 19" height
Carte de visite image of Texas Ranger Jack Hayes measures 2.5" width x 4" height
Handwritten & signed note dated May 15, 1842
Artifacts in good antique condition, carefully framed
Frame itself has small blemish on top edge
Note reads "Received of Ignacio Chavis (sic) one Cow for the use of the Spy Company valued at Twelve Dollars $12.00. San Antonio May 15th 1842; John C. Hayes Com of Spy Comp."
DESCRIPTIONThis set of historical artifacts, an original carte de visite of Texas Ranger John “Coffee Jack” Hayes and a signed note he wrote in 1842, is beautifully framed to show each to best effect.
With depth and shadow highlighting the antique paper, you can see the handwriting and ink of Hayes clearly, along with the beautiful original folds of the note.
History & context below.
DETAILS & MEASUREMENTSFrame measures 17" width x 19" height
Carte de visite image of Texas Ranger Jack Hayes measures 2.5" width x 4" height
Handwritten & signed note dated May 15, 1842
Artifacts in good antique condition, carefully framed
Frame itself has small blemish on top edge
Note reads "Received of Ignacio Chavis (sic) one Cow for the use of the Spy Company valued at Twelve Dollars $12.00. San Antonio May 15th 1842; John C. Hayes Com of Spy Comp."
➼ Texas Rangers
The Texas Rangers have had a fearsome reputation as excellent trackers and ferocious fighters since they were first founded in 1823. Stephen F. Austin, worried that the Mexican law enforcement could not cover the lands around his colony effectively enough, paid the initial ten men out of his own pocket.
Officially recognized by the new Republic of Texas government in 1836, with the influx of more people to the area the Rangers quickly increased their ranks. Rangers were paid $1.25 per day and $5 per month for food and supplies, officers a bit more, and all had to bring their own horses, tack, weapons, and ammunition to the endeavor.
As author John C. Caperton said, “Each was armed with a rifle, a pistol, and a knife. With a Mexican blanket tied behind his saddle and small wallet in which he carried salt and ammunition and perhaps a little panola or parched corn, spiced and sweetened – a great allayer of thirst – and tobacco, he was equipped for a month.”
Tasked with patrolling for thieves and cattle rustlers and protecting Texans from raids from both across the border with Mexico and from the Native peoples that had been displaced from their ancestral lands, the Rangers developed their skills and reputation.
So lauded were they, and known for their favor for the Colt Paterson 5-shot revolver, that Colt approached them to collaborate on a new 6-shot revolver. A scene from one of the Rangers’ most famous exploits was even engraved on the cylinder – though in an interesting deviation Colt outfitted the mounted men in the uniform of the U.S. Dragoons. [Check out the Colt First Model Dragoon for more info on Colt’s evolved firearm]
➼ Carte de Visite
Abbreviated CdV, carte de visite were small photographs – albumen prints – of thin paper mounted on thicker card.
Patented by photographer André Adolphe Eugène Disdéri in Paris in 1854, but not popular for several years until after he published Emperor Napoleon III’s photograph, carte de visite of notable figures and celebrities caught on like wildfire and were quite collectable.
Dubbed “cardomania,” carte de visite became extremely popular as visiting cards, traded among friends and family and displayed in collection albums throughout the Victorian era, and widely used as a relatively inexpensive way for family and friends to send photos to loved ones during the Civil War.
By the 1870s the larger “cabinet cards” took over and remained in demand until Kodak created the personal Brownie camera in the early 20th century.
