Buffalo Bill / Les Cavaliers les Plus Audacieux du Monde. 1905.

ARTIST: ANONYMOUS SIZE: 39 5/8 x 29 1/8 in./100.7 x 74 cm PRINTER: Ch. Wall, Paris DESCRIPTION: An act that translated perfectly from American to French audiences was Buffalo Bill and the Rough Riders of the world. Here, Cody is seen reviewing the troops; a rainbow of countries sent their “best riders” as ambassadors of showmanship. The earlier Courier Litho. printing of this image was headlined “Buffalo Bill Reviewing the Rough Riders of the World.” As Michelle Delaney points out, the Rough Riders “were not battle scenes or dangerous settings at all. Often the posters advertising the Rough Riders were long lines of international cavalrymen on horseback, in dress uniforms, being reviewed by Cody, also on horseback. His figure resembles a military general reviewing the troops more than the entertainer he is in this situation. The cavalrymen cheer his review or line up in silent respect” (Buffalo Bill/Art & Advertising, p. 92). (Wild West; Animals; American)