Doc Photos
Portraits of the Doctor…
His thesis was “Diseases of the Teeth”. This is Doc in March of 1872 upon the occasion of his graduation as a Doctor of Dental Surgery from The Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania . He would return to Atlanta, Georgia, via St. Louis, Missouri and again take up residence at Aunt Permila and Uncle John’s at 66 Forest Street. He would join the office of Dr. Arthur C. Ford in the spring, but would not be able to practice on his own until he obtained his license after turning 21 on August 14, 1872. This is one of two, verified Doc Photos.
Photo: U.S. PD, original in the collection of Robert G. McCubbin.
The only one of the Doc Photos known to have been signed by the man himself; this photograph originates in Las Vegas, New Mexico in 1879. The photographer is unknown. 1879 was a busy year for Doc, he spent time at the Lunger’s Club, opened a new practice, found himself indited for “keeping a gaming table”, traveled from New Mexico to Kansas, then to Colorado, back to New Mexico and managed to become involved in a railroad war during his travels… and that was just in the first three months of the year! Later that year, he might have shot Mike Gordon,* moved his operations to the new AT&SF rail connection in booming East Las Vegas and had W.G. Ward build a build a building out there. Established “The Holliday Saloon and Gambling Concession” with limited partner, Jordan J. Webb. Got himself indited again on the gaming charge and then once, for “carrying a deadly weapon”. He finished the year by moving to Prescott seeking greener pastures, partly on advice from Wyatt Earp. There are two other verified photos of Doc, both as an infant. Find them in Karen Holliday Tanner‘s fine book, Doc Holliday – A Family Portrait (1998). Photo: U.S. PD, Robert G. McCubbin collection.
see:
Doc History: Who did Doc Shoot?
The maybe Doc’s and the not Doc’s…
This photograph is often alleged to have been taken by C.S. Fly in Tombstone in early 1882; therefore some two to three months after the OK Corral. I therefore assume it would have been taken after the closing of the hearing before Judge Spicer (11/30/1881) and before the murder of Morgan Earp at Campbell and Hatch’s Billiard Parlor (03/18/1882). Doc wasn’t real available in Tombstone after that… It is also “alleged” to be Doc. There is no provenance for this picture, or it’s relatives). This photograph (not retouched), appears to have been part of a set taken at one sitting; including one with the subject wearing a bowler. A version of this picture, highly retouched (with a cowlick), is probably the most common of the alleged Doc Photos used to represent him. Photo: U.S. PD
Heavily retouched, never-the-less, this is clearly the popular choice of the available Doc Photos for the representation of John Henry “Doc” Holliday. It has appeared in numerous books, magazines and newspaper stories. As noted above, this is part of a series taken at one sitting; possibly by Camillus Fly. c. 1882. Photo: U.S. PD, subject, photographer and modifications in debate…
This unique charcoal portrait, found in a cabin near the city, is claimed to be that of an older Doc Holliday. It is on loan to the Glenwood Springs Historical Society* and may be viewed at the museum in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Doc was in Glenwood Springs from May 24, 1887 until his death November 8, 1887. He was known to have been descending into miliary consumption (tuberculosis) during that time. He was 36 when he arrived and turned 37 August 14, 1887. Could this be a portrait of that Doc? Photo: © Frontier Historical Society, used by permission. Do you know anything about this portrait that the museum should know? Please contact them.
see:
Doc’s Links – Glenwood Springs Historical Society
There were certainly some look-a likes around, even in Tombstone.
Here is an example and we even know who he was. This handsome gentleman [a Frenchman] was John Escapule (Escobel) of Tombstone, Arizona Territory who made his fortune in the silver boom on Goose Flats. One source I have, says that he was at one time, mayor of that fair city. [anybody know?] (this photo too, may well have been made by C.S. Fly) Photo: U.S. PD (c. early 1880’s)
This photo is often alleged to be Doc and is regularly used to represent him although it doesn’t look remotely like him. It has been around for comparison for years so you would think folks could figure it out. This cigar chomping fellow is unknown. I rather doubt that a serious consumptive like Doc smoked too many cigars. There is no provenance, what-so-ever for this photograph. Photo: U.S. PD
Here is another “not Doc”. This one has also been used by several books on the subject. Compared with “known” photos of the the good doctor, most anyone can see they don’t match. There is no provenance, what-so-ever for this photograph. Photo U.S. PD unknown
This is the end of the older “maybe” Doc Photos for a while.
These are the most common.
There are a few others floating around, none too good.
Now, a look at the ever growing recent crop of discoveries.
Here are the “new” old Doc photos…
This Post Card can be found for sale on the internet. Note that the work is marked copyright 2005 by a Gary Dunlap. While he may have rights to his card design, if the photograph is genuine, it is, by definition, in the U.S. public domain (pre – 1923). No one I am aware of, save Mr. Dunlap, believes this to be a photo of Doc. There is no viable provenance. Card Design: 2005 ©? Gary Dunlap, Fair Use. {Doc}
Here is one from Wichita, KS from Mr. Rob Willoughby. I don’t think it looks remotely like Doc.
Photo: U.S. PD c. late 1800’s, courtesy Rob Willoughby
Doc Holliday New Photo
discovered 2015 by Donald J. McKenna
Doc Photo: U.S. PD 11/08/1887, courtesy Donald J. McKenna
Here it is, the “new” photo of Doc, is it really him?
(see: Doc Holliday New Photo)
A gentleman from New Jersey makes this “new” offer* of a maybe Doc. I don’t think so. Anyone have any idea who this well dressed couple might be? Mr. De Jesus believes he has a framed daguerrotype, which he located in Colorado. He has not yet opened the frame back to see if there is any enlightenment there. {001}
Photo: U.S. PD date unknown, courtesy Juan De Jesus
* 06/2016
Here is the latest offering of note: From the Silver City, NM Historical Society via True West Magazine (09/2016). True West‘s cadre of experts, and others, have definitively declared this, a “not Doc”. Which person in the photo was the Doc Candidate?* Either way, a great old time photo! Photo: U.S. PD 1882-83 Fair Use. courtesy Silver City, NM museum.
*He has his right hand in his pocket.
This cabinet card provided by long-time Wichita, KS photo collector Paul B. He says that we may have here, Doc Holliday and Mary Kathryn Haroney. He also has other historic photos that may be Doc and others which may be Jesse James. As always with these things, we need expert opinion, and I’m not one.
However, there are some visible issues with this photo:
The card is from Indianapolis, IN
-as far as I know, Doc was never there.
This gentleman is sporting a Masonic Pin.
-Doc was not a Mason
His shoes are very badly worn.
-hard to believe a natty dresser like Doc
had shoes like these.
there are some other things…
see:
Seven more “Maybe Shots” from Mr. B’s collection.
This is the end of the “NEW” “maybe” Doc Photos for a while.
Always willing to add a new one.
A contemporary photo from Glenwood Springs, CO
Here I am as Doc at his memorial in Linwood Pioneer Cemetery, high above Glenwood Springs, CO, during the Frontier Historical Society Ghost Walk in 2002. This tombstone is the second one. The first had been vandalized years before. Quite a modern appearing stone, you can readily see why it was changed out for a period stone.*
Photo by: © Ed Kosmicki , taken for an article in The Denver Post.
see:
*Doc History – gravestone photos
So you think you might have a “new” picture,
a tintype of Doc,
or some other western notable?
I get calls and emails from folks who think they have turned up an item that no one else has yet seen. Unlikely, but it could be… Just for starters, here are some of the issues you need to be prepared to address to prove your case.
see:
Provenance
For those who would like to see more photos of other Western Notables,
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Photo Gallery Index – Lawmen Photos (80+)
Photo Gallery Index – Outlaw Photos (100+)
References – Dictionary – Photography in the Old West
End: Doc Photos