Two newly discovered photographs possibly depicting Billy the Kid as a child to be auctioned in South Jersey
On April 25, 2026, Fox Auctions in South Jersey is set to auction two intriguing photographs that might show a young Billy the Kid. These photos belong to Beth and Tom Ronketty and include a Potter's patent photograph from WM. W. Seeler's Gallery in Philadelphia and a tintype of McCarty in his teenage years. Notably, Billy’s mother, Catherine McCarty, lived in Philadelphia from 1863 to 1867, suggesting he could have been there too. Beth discovered these images after a Jeopardy! clue and shared them with Tom in January 2016. Currently, only one confirmed image of Billy exists, a portrait by Ben Wittick that sold for $2.3 million. Born in New York, he was shot by Sheriff Pat Garrett in 1881 at just 21.
Key facts
- Two newly discovered photographs possibly showing Billy the Kid as a child will be auctioned on April 25, 2026
- The auction will be conducted by Fox Auctions in South Jersey
- One photograph is a Potter's patent taken at WM. W. Seeler's Photo-Miniature and Photograph Gallery in Philadelphia
- Records show Billy's mother Catherine McCarty lived in Philadelphia between 1863 and 1867
- The photographs come from the private collection of South Jersey couple Beth and Tom Ronketty
- Only one authenticated photograph of Billy the Kid exists, purchased by William Koch for $2.3 million
- Historian Michael Bell states authentication requires clear, continuous provenance from creation to present
- Billy the Kid was killed by Sheriff Pat Garrett in 1881 at age 21
Entities
Artists
- Billy the Kid
- Ben Wittick
- Catherine McCarty
- Lee M. Fox
- Michael Bell
- Pat Garrett
- Beth Ronketty
- Tom Ronketty
- William Koch
Institutions
- Fox Auctions
- NBC Philadelphia 10
- Cowboy State Daily
- WM. W. Seeler's Photo-Miniature and Photograph Gallery
Locations
- Philadelphia
- United States
- South Jersey
- New York
- Lincoln County