PHOTO INVESTIGATION
THE CANTEY (MYERS) COLLECTION
The Cantey (Myers) collection is large grouping of photos, and is a combination of both directly purchased photos, and photos from the estate of Gus Myers, collected and owned by Emory Cantey. The Myers collection consists of; Daguerreotypes, Ambrotypes and Tintypes that were handed down from Gus Myers Great Grandson Gerorge Myserson's II Estate. Guss Myserson II had guarded the collection for many years. In 2007, the collection became the property of Emory Cantey who lives in Texas. Per Emory Cantey, The collection originated from the photographers E.A. Baldwin, Isaac M. Askren and Gus Myers. The photo collection consists of photos of former Confederate Guerillas, well known outlaws such as Jesse James and his family and other important historic figures and locations. The Cantey Myers collection stands alone as a very important historic document. Its connection to the past by way of photographic history in itself makes it priceless to future generations. In the authors opinion, blanket accusations of falsehoods of this collection are without merit, and not based on any factual investigative evidence or criteria, as each photo in this collection needs to be fully investigated by all, and any means necessary before any judgement can be made about the provenance of each photo. This investigation, and the documented detail's discovered by the Author about the collection proves that the photos are connected to historic events, people and places that really existed in fact, not fiction. The initial part of this investigation/ article, and the information revealed was recovered by both basic and investigative techniques genealogical methods of locating involved parties, by searching historic databases, public records and newspapers.
LINKS TO THE
CANTEY MYERS COLLECTION
1. Read the explanation of the Cantey Myers Collection here of the Gus Myers journal and the Myers connection, Documentation: Home - Documentation (canteymyerscollection.com)
2. Biographical Information for the Cantey Myer collection; Home - Biography (canteymyerscollection.com)
Collecting Western Photos by Emory Cantey Collecting Western Photography by Emory A. Cantey, Jr (canteycollection.com)
THE INVESTIGATION
There are two items of investigative business on the list where this collection is concerned. The first is to clear up some misconceptions about the collection. In recent past there was a broad sweeping statement made about this collection, stating that every single photo in the collection is fake and was purchased in antiques stores. I got to know this collection better by looking through the vast amount of photographic information on the Cantey-Myer collection website. Even a cursory sweep of the database immediately dispels that statement of falsehoods.
To begin, There are multiple pages of explanations that guides the reader through the lineage of the collection on the Cantey Myer website (see links above) that clearly contradicts these allegations. Adding to this supporting evidence, is that the owner Emory Cantey absolutely refutes these allegations, and stands behind the collection and the information on his website.
Early in March of 2024, I opened a dialog with Mr. Cantey. After earning his trust, he gave me full access to his website, it's photos and all information contained on the website. The website is in my opinion a very real representation of the collection in his possession. And a glimpse into the past of American history. The second item of business is to establish the time- line and provenance of the collection. The first step in this was to locate and confirm the existence of the original owners of the collection.
1. The misconception. "Every picture in the Cantey Myer Collection is fake". Example one. This stereoscopic card (see below) is contained in the Cantey Myer collection. It can also be found in True West Magazine . Also shown here are photos that the Author took of the location when visiting Deadwood South Dakota. Example one is true and correct photo of Wild Bill Hickok's Grave on Mount Moriah Cemetary in Deadwood South Dakota. Example one dispels the first misconception, and this may seem like a minor detail. But it cannot be overlooked. All minor details must be examined.
Example One
Photo courtesy of Emory Meyer, from the Cantey Myer collection
Photo from True West Magazine
Current Grave Marker photo by the author
Current view from grave site, photo by Author
Photo Example #2
A widely known tintype post mortem photo of Jesse James. Placed on top of the piece of butcher paper and labeled with the corresponding number #297 of the original owners ledger. Probably a copy of the original. But still a widely known photo (copy) of Jesse James death photo after his assassination. Both are known photos. Perhaps copies of originals. But tintypes from the time period.
Provenance Theory
One would think that establishing blanket provenance over a collection that contained over 600 photos would be literally impossible. But lets look for the first clues in the story of the Cantey Myers collection documentation and establish some simple facts.
The documentation states;
The crates contained a few personal items belonging to August Myers (George Myerson sr.) and Captain George Todd. (items from both) During and after the civil war. The bulk of the contents were on an extensive antique image collection of approximately 600 to 800 original images. They consisted of cased tintypes, Daguerreotypes, Ambrotypes, and paper images. Each was carefully wrapped in butcher paper (Note that butcher paper origin dates back to 1896), sealed and numbered. The numbers corresponded with a journal/ledger found in the first crate. The numbers corresponded to work records that Gus Myer and Isaac M Askren had retained from the Askren, Baldwin and Myers Photography business from the 1850s to 1914.
This is where we run into a major set of clues and the verifiable lineage of the Cantey Myers collection. This first two important names that come into this story, are two civil war period photographers. And both are present in this story. Thet are E.A. Baldwin and Isaac M. Askren. So who are these two photographers mentioned in the documentation?
When the collections transferred ownership to Emory Cantey, it was handled by a third part contractor from Los Angelas California. During the transaction, the original owner had passed away and the collection business was handed to Amber Smyth who completed the sale. She also allegedly provided the following signed statement, on which this story is based. The wording of this statement is on the Cantey Myer website (see below), but due to legality and privacy agreements, the selling party wished to remain anonymous, and Mr. Cantey is reluctant to show anyone this document.
(September 17, 1839 – October 21, 1864) was an American Confederate guerrilla leader during the American Civil War who served under William C. Quantrill. A participant in numerous raids, including the Lawrence Massacre in 1863, he was ultimately killed at the Battle of Little Blue River.
The Photographers
Photographer Issac M. Askren
(1)
Isaac Askren Shows up as living in Camp Township in East Des Moines Iowa, which is on the far eastside of Polk county Iowa. Who is Isaac Askren? Per the official record. He was a well known Traveling photographer. His existence during the correct time period is confirmed.
-From Ancestry.com
Record
Occupation; Photographer
Detail Source
Name Isaac M. Askren
Age 29
Birth Date Abt 1851
Birthplace Ohio
Home in 1880 Des Moines, Polk, Iowa, USA
Street Pensylvania Avenue
House Number 12007
Dwelling Number 275
Race White
Gender Male
Relation to Head of House Self (Head)
Marital Status Single
Father's Birthplace Pennsylvania
Mother's Name Elizabeth Askren
Mother's Birthplace Ohio
Occupation Photographer
Neighbors View others on page
Household Members (Name) Age Relationship
Isaac M. Askren 29 Self (Head)
Elizabeth Askren
67
Mother
Mary C. Askren
32
Sister
Map showing Camp Township "East Des Moines" etsy.com
The following newspaper story was found via ancestry.com, I.M. Askren is listed as a Photographer by the Iowa Photographers Assc.
Ref "The Daily Iowa Capital" August 3rd, 1892
Full Context
I.M. Askren from the Iowa Photographers Assc.
Photographer E.A. Baldwin
(2)
We know less about photographer E.A. Baldwin, But we do know that he existed. Because his name is listed with Isaac M. Askren in the Anita Iowa news in 1890 His also mentioned in the Biographies of Frontier Photographers. We don't exactly where EA Baldwin lived or died. But the article below places him in Anita Iowa in 1880
Mr. Baldwin Photographer Askren & Baldwin ↑↑↑ " Popular photographers"
From Anita (Iowa) Tribune 02 Jan 1890, Anita, Iowa
Emory Cantey's background in his own words
My name is Emory Cantey. I am 74 years old. I am a born Texan who has lived in Oklahoma and Colorado in the past but happily home in Texas now. I have been a collector since I was 8 years old. I became a full time collector and some time dealer in 1966. My wife and I formed an antique company called Ourturn Antiques in 1989. We traveled around the country to Western Shows from 1989 until Approx. 1996 while also maintaining a mall space in Fort Worth, Texas. Being of independent means, we retired in 2000. Since then, I became solely a collector. I seldom sell or trade. When I need to lighten the load, I consign to auctions.
It has at this point really become fun without the dealing hassles. My heart is as a collector. I have many contacts who let me know when things I like are available. Two of my dealer/pickers (Ed and Tim) are the best in the business and totally loyal to me ( a very rare commodity today) but more about them later.
I purchased my first antique in 1955 when I was 8 years old. It was a average condition 41 cal. Colt Thunderer. I bought it with my father's help and supervision from Robert Abe's in NY City. It was a mail order and cost me 20.00, a lot in 1955. I earned the money by washing cars and mowing lawns. At that point, I caught the bug and became a collector. My father took me with him to NY twice and arranged with Bob Abel to let me stay with him while Dad worked ( he was an executive partner in his own Fort Worth law firm. He was an SEC specialist). Bob Abel was a crusty old yankee but he liked me and taught me a lot. I called him Uncle Bob.
In 1966-1967, I bought my first antique western images. In the beginning, they were to be used as display items for other things but very quickly they became a lasting, major interest. 55 years later and approx. 2000 images collected in house, I am still at it and still adding images to my collection and this site. Over 1000 hard images sold privately and at auction a few years ago. Some traded over the years but bulk retained.
At first, I advertised in magazines and collector's periodicals for tintypes, CDVs, and cabinet photos of western personalities, armed cowboys and buckskin dressed trappers and Scouts. I offered 50-75 dollars and up for each. I averaged several letters and xerox copies a week! It was hard to keep up with the offers but I bought all I could afford. I was single with a good job. Many established collectors made jokes and said I was offering way to much for worthless items. A very few years later, I was being contacted by those same collectors trying to buy just a couple to go with their guns and artifacts. I didn't sell. Still don't. Now they are worth 10, 20 times more and greater. It has been FUN! Of course, I pay what market demands from dealers and auctions but I still find many in the boonies and get fair offers from loyal contacts. They are still out there to find.
Through the years, I have been a rather shy collector and uncomfortable dealer. I never wanted to be in the public eye. I have written a few articles and put on some displays in gun shows but no more than 4-5 people outside my family have ever seen my collection or part thereof. I enjoy sharing with people I know.
My son designed my first website, www.canteymyerscollection.com. He is a high tech guy and really knows his fields. The first site was to show my Myers Collection, a collection of images of the Missouri Reb guerrillas and related. I have approx. 100,000 serious visitors a year now and over 500,000 hits a year. Quite a lot for a historical site.
Thank you to Emory Cantey for helping me with this article
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