247. WYOMING STOCK GROWERS ASSOCIATION. By-Laws of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association [caption title].  N.p., n.d. [1902 or after; Printer’s slug on p. 8:  Gereke, Quick Job Printer, Typographical Union Label Wyoming, Cheyenne Wyoming]. 8 pp. 8vo, stapled (possibly later).  First leaf separating, age-toned, but generally fine. Two typescript slips (amendments at the 1931 convention) tipped in.  Very rare.  We trace no copies in commerce.

     First printing. The Wyoming Stock Growers Association organized in 1872, and their by-laws were reprinted numerous times.  Adams, Herd 2584: “Rare.” Stopka, Wyoming Territorial Imprints A.n.d.5 (p. 54). Neither Adams (Herd) nor Stopka venture to suggest a date of publication. In 1892 in Cheyenne Printer Arthur J. Gereke married Cheyenne native Virginia Bell “Virga” Smalley (b. 1871). Gereke began his career on the Cheyenne and Northern Railroad working as a brakeman and baggage handler, but occasionally also as an engineer. He eventually joined the staff of the Cheyenne Tribune, where worked as business and advertising manager. In 1902 he left to establish his own printing firm, which he operated until he left for Colorado in 1947.

     The Wyoming Stock Growers Association was totally revamped in 1931. The purposes of the Association as stated here are to “advance the interests of the stock growers and dealers in live stock of all kinds...and for the protection of same against frauds and swindlers, and to prevent stealing, taking and driving away of horned cattle, sheep, horses and other stock.”  ($750-1,500)

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