Reputation matters.
Charles M. Russell (1864 - 1926) Personal Hat. Notation inside "C.M. Russell's hat, Given to me by Nancy C. Russell - Joe De Yong." A John B. Stetson sold through Nathan / Great Falls / Montana. Also signed inside "Joe De Yong / Chateau / Montana".
Lot 520, Sold $18,880
Brian Lebel's Mesa Old West Auction - January 21st & 22nd, 2022 - Mesa, AZ.
Scott Hardy (TCAA) Bolo Tie with braided rawhide Cord by Nate Wald (TCAA). Exquisite and striking special order, one-of-a-kind, heavy gauge sterling and gold Bolo Tie with 2 1/2" round concho slide atop elegant 2 1/4" long tips. The finely braided rawhide cord was made by TCA veteran, Nate Wald and the metal work by TCA founding member, Scott Hardy.
Lot 402, Sold $9,440
Brian Lebel's Mesa Old West Auction - January 21st & 22nd, 2022 - Mesa, AZ.
A magnificent trophy buckle by Don Ellis. Sterling & 14K gold. "CHAMPION BULL RIDER / WON BY / BILL BOAG / CHRISTENSEN BROS RODEO / 1952." 4" x 2 7/8". Maker marked: DON ELLIS CO. / SEATTLE / STERLING.
Billy was killed in a freak accident while competing in the national finals rodeo at Madison Square Garden on September 30th 1958. He was 26. Roy Rogers did his funeral. A great rider, cowboy and person he was well loved in the rodeo world.
Lot 523, Sold $3,245
Brian Lebel's Mesa Old West Auction - January 21st & 22nd, 2022 - Mesa, AZ.
A Native tanned hide shirt with porcupine quilled decorations, long fringe, red trade cloth collar.
Lot 457, Sold $8,260
Brian Lebel's Mesa Old West Auction - January 21st & 22nd, 2022 - Mesa, AZ.
Olaf C. Seltzer (1877 - 1957)
Crow 1909, Oil on board, 9 1/2" x 11 1/2", signed lower right: O.C. SELTZER, framed 16" x 18"
Noted on reverse upper left: Original O.C. Seltzer Oil @ / Crow 1909
Main Trail Galleries, Scottsdale label on reverse
The Dick Flood Sr. and Daro Flood Family Collection
Lot 126, Sold $6,655
Brian Lebel's Mesa Old West Auction - January 21st & 22nd, 2022 - Mesa, AZ.
Herman Wendelborg Hansen (1854 - 1924), The Challenge, watercolor, 20" x 29 1/2", signed lower right: H.W. HANSEN, framed to 23 3/4" x 33 1/4"
Lot 127, Sold $3,540
Brian Lebel's Mesa Old West Auction - January 21st & 22nd, 2022 - Mesa, AZ.
John Wayne's Hat. This important hat is signed “John Wayne / 1970” and retains the original braided hatband as seen in the film "The Undefeated", and in numerous personal photographs. This was one of his favorites, Wayne wore the hat both on and off screen before gifting it to Robert Shelton, founder of Old Tucson Studios, while Wayne was there filming “Rio Lobo.”
Lot 438, Sold $53,100
Brian Lebel's Mesa Old West Auction - January 21st & 22nd, 2022 - Mesa, AZ.
Chris Navarro (b. 1956) When Champions Meet, Bronze, 38" x 23" x 15" on a 2" wood base, Signed in bronze: 6/50 Chris Navarro (c) 96.
A life-size version of this bronze stands at the entrance to the Island Grove Arena at the Greeley Stampede in Colorado.
Lot 521, Sold $10,620
Brian Lebel's Mesa Old West Auction - January 21st & 22nd, 2022 - Mesa, AZ.
Below are highlights from Old West Events' previous sales.
Rex Arrowsmith's Personal Edward H. Bohlin Buffalo Head Buckle
An early Bohlinmade sterling silver, 12K & 14K, buffalo head and double shield, rose and yellow gold trophy-style oval buckle, with the coveted small "Bohlinmade / Hollywood / Calif." maker-mark. Measures 2 1/2" x 3 3/4" with twisted gold rope edge and floral engraved background. Worn for decades by the much beloved, legendary Santa Fe dealer and collector, Rex Arrowsmith.
EX: Arrowsmith Collection.
Rex Arrowsmith (1925-2017) was an iconic Indian trader who developed an early interest in American Indian culture and began collecting artifacts as a youth. Following his military service, Rex graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in mining and metallurgical engineering. While at KU, he met Bonnie Cunningham who became his wife in 1949. He left a lucrative, executive position in Houston, Texas in 1959 to pursue his passion and opened up a store, Arrowsmith's Relics of the Old West, in Santa Fe across the alley from the San Miguel Church. The unique store and trading post attracted clientele from around the world. Rex was equally at ease wheeling and dealing with Elvis or John Wayne, negotiating with champions of industry, speaking at a board of directors meeting, hunting or fishing with Indian friends or living like a native in the jungles of Costa Rica. Rex was also one of the last, true Indian traders. He would take his sons with him on trading trips to the reservations where he would acquire stock for the store directly from his many Pueblo, Navajo and Hopi Indian friends and from other trading posts, and had Indians from the local pueblos coming in on a daily basis to do business. Rex developed many close relationships with these people which resulted in wonderful memories for the entire family. Many a time the Arrowsmiths were invited to spend the night during ceremonials and dances and feasts. Very few would ever experience these events in such intimate surroundings.
The business was expanded in 1972 when the Arrowsmith-Fenn Gallery was established on Paseo de Peralta. He was president or chairman of the board of many organizations including SWAIA, The Old Santa Fe Association, and El Rancho de Las Golondrinas. He was very active in the Indian Market for over 50 years and with the Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonials. Rex worked tirelessly to retain the character of Santa Fe during the urban renewal push in the 1960s by seeing that historic buildings were saved from demolition by getting into place strict zoning laws within the historic districts. Few know that Rex was a member of the Screen Actors Guild and appeared regularly in the TV series, "Empire" with a young Ryan O'Neal and Charles Bronson and had parts in movies filmed in the Santa Fe area. Rex was honest to a fault. Most of his deals were made on a handshake and his trustworthiness benefited him both in business and in personal life. He never had a bad word to say about anyone and was very generous. Rex had a great sense of humor and was always the jokester with a smile on his face whose lifetime experiences provided endless topics for his renowned story telling ability.
Lot 127, Sold $3,245
Brian Lebel's Cody Old West Auction - June 26th, 2021, Santa Fe, NM.
Half Seat, R.E. Gibbons, Miniature Salesman Sample Saddle
A very early example of a salesman sample, miniature saddle. The Cheyenne roll cantle has large leaf tooling in the early California style, separate side jockeys, Sam Stagg rigging, with double leather covered rings and stirrups. Marked with an oval cartouche on the jockeys "R. E. GIBBONS" with hair saddle bags. Shows quality restoration. 11" overall (on stand). Includes display stand and blanket.
The bottom of the cartouche is illegible but records show R. E. Gibbons as a maker in Gainesville, Texas in 1885.
Provenance: The Earl Hagerman Collection.
Lot 192, Sold $2,950
Brian Lebel's Cody Old West Auction - June 26th, 2021, Santa Fe, NM.
Abraham Carlos Miniature Mexican Salesman Sample Saddle
A true miniature Mexican-made salesman sample saddle, with covered horn, saddlebags, nickel decorations, and a marked exposed tree. Attached is a miniature rawhide braided quirt. Label affixed to the seat "Fabricante / Abraham Carlos / Domicilio Conocido / Tepetongo, Zac." The saddle has a 5 1/2" seat and 2 5/8" diameter horn cap. 13" overall (on stand). Display stand included.
Provenance: The Earl Hagerman Collection.
Lot 187, Sold $1,416
Brian Lebel's Cody Old West Auction - June 26th, 2021, Santa Fe, NM.
Miniature Half-Scale, Half Seat Marked Salesman Sample Saddle
A classic trail saddle design in miniature, half-scale, with Sam Stagg rigging, separate side jockeys, full double rigging with covered rings, leather covered oxbow stirrups and a simple, yet striking, border tooling. Marked: "Made by - Jack Thomas - Fallbrook Calif.” Measures 20" overall (on stand). Includes custom display stand.
From the Michael Friedman collection and pictured in “Cowboy Culture” (1992) page 105. Caption in part reads "While this saddle depicts a circa 1800 trail saddle, it was actually made in the 1960s".
Provenance: The Earl Hagerman Collection.
Lot 189, Sold $2,360
Brian Lebel's Cody Old West Auction - June 26th, 2021, Santa Fe, NM.
Flower Tooled, Miniature Salesman Sample Saddle.
Salesman sample saddle, marked with an "H" in the center of the 7" seat. This full floral tooled and nicely detailed miniature has a 1 1/2" cantle and a nickel (pot metal, cast) horn. Includes blanket, rope and custom stand. 21" tall on stand.
Provenance: The Earl Hagerman Collection.
Lot 190, Sold $2,360
Brian Lebel's Cody Old West Auction - June 26th, 2021, Santa Fe, NM.
Gros Ventre/Assiniboine Beaded Moccasins. Split tongue beaded moccasins with yellow-ochred hide. Bright geometric designs, executed in white-heart red, rose, three shades of blue, pea green, yellow and white. Finished off with fringe down each heel and leather soles. 10" long. Minor bead losses. Circa 1890, with Pohrt collection paper tag.
Provenance: Richard Pohrt, Sr. to Morning Star Gallery to current owner. Accompanying this lot is a book autographed by Mr. Pohrt.
Lot 152, Sold $2,360
Brian Lebel's Cody Old West Auction - June 26th, 2021, Santa Fe, NM.
Little Joe's Colt 45 Revolver used on the long running Western television series "Bonanza"
*SN336636, .45 caliber, 5 1/2 inch barrel, Colt Single Action. Blue and case color finish, faux ivory 2- piece grips, manufactured 1917. Condition: very good bore, smooth silver gray metal, very good grips, mechanically very good, excellent marks. Marked with the Stembridge “S” (S 11).
Includes Certificate of Authenticity from Stembridge 1999 archivist and conservator, Allan C. Frisch, and a copy of a Stembridge rental receipt to Paramount Pictures Corporation, April 2, 1959.
EX: Boyd Magers Collection.
* $100 FFL fee will be added to this purchase. All sales of firearms will be in accordance with Federal and State guidelines. All post-1898 firearms are subject to applicable ordinances and laws, and must be purchased in compliance with Federal and State law.
Lot 24, Sold $18,150
Brian Lebel's Cody Old West Auction - June 26th, 2021, Santa Fe, NM.
Montana Prison Hitched Horsehair Bridle. Deer Lodge Prison artistry in purples, green, turquoise, red, yellow, and brown on natural hair. Done in a diamond design on the flat elements and barber pole pattern on the rounds. American flags adorn the reins. Hair-covered glass domed conchos. An amazing condition bridle. An iron curb bit used, as usual for a prison bridle.
Lot 240, Sold $4,720
Brian Lebel's Cody Old West Auction - June 26th, 2021, Santa Fe, NM.
S/N 26197, .45 caliber, 7 1/2 inch barrel, Colt Single Action Army. Nickel finish, 1-piece walnut grips. Circa 1876. Condition: 80% nickel finish overall, light scratches from cleaning on some surfaces, walnut grips have shrunk slightly, very good mechanically, very good marks. Comes with a crudely trimmed and laced holster with an open muzzle.
Lot 324, Sold $3,835
Brian Lebel's Cody Old West Auction - June 26th, 2021, Santa Fe, NM.
Veryl Goodnight (b. 1947)
Wither Deep in Powder
Stainless Steel
12" x 18" x 6"
Signed in steel: 13/25 Veryl Goodnight 1985 (c)
On a 1 1/2" wood base
Provenance: From the James Carpenter Estate Collection.
Lot 61, Sold $5,310
Brian Lebel's Cody Old West Auction - June 26th, 2021, Santa Fe, NM.
Historic Utah State Prison Braided Bridle. A fine braided calfskin bridle with great sliding knots throughout, including on the brow band of 4 stacked rows of braided rounds. Bright hair tassels and nickel heart conchos. Martin calls this bridle "elegant" and "masterfully made". The bit is full overlaid curb with foliate and star engraving, and as noted by Martin: "the epitome of excellence of metal working."
Shown: "Horsehair Bridles: A Unique American Folk Art," on page 161: "this handsomely braided bridle exemplifies the superior skill of it's maker." A copy of the book is included.
Includes a letter from the grandson of Deputy U.S. Marshal David O. Calder. A Major with the Mormon Brigade during the Utah Indian Wars, Calder became a U.S. Marshal in 1870. He later worked at the Utah State Prison and was the proud owner of this bridle.
Lot 235, Sold $3,835
Brian Lebel's Cody Old West Auction - June 26th, 2021, Santa Fe, NM.
S/N 1629, .44 rimfire caliber, 7 1/2 inch barrel, Colt Single Action Army. Nickel finish, period style engraving, 1-piece ivory grips, scroll engraving. Circa late 1874. Condition: 20% frosty nickel, excellent aged ivory grips, mechanically very good, excellent marks and engraving.
Includes later production triple loop holster and money belt rig in excellent condition.
Lot 327, Sold $13,310
Brian Lebel's Cody Old West Auction - June 26th, 2021, Santa Fe, NM.
S/N 132266, .45 caliber, 7 1/2 inch barrel, US Cavalry Colt Single Action. Blue and case color finish, 1-piece walnut grips with clear inspector’s cartouches. US marked with R.A.C. (Rinaldo Carr), and "SEB" (Captain Stanhope E. Blunt) and the date "1890". Condition: 95% barrel blue thinning, 85% cylinder blue with bolt stop drag marks, 85% mottled case colors on frame, excellent grips, excellent mechanically, excellent marks.
Provenance: From the James Carpenter Estate Collection.
Lot 329, Sold $9,440
Brian Lebel's Cody Old West Auction - June 26th, 2021, Santa Fe, NM.
S/N 128242, .44 caliber, 8-inch barrel, engraved Colt 1860 Army Revolver. Silver finished, elegant engraving in the style of the late percussion period. Ivory one-piece grips have great rendering of a Federal eagle. Circa 1863. Condition: excellent condition overall, 90%+ silver wash remaining, grips are in great shape with some seasoning cracks, mechanically excellent, excellent marks.
Provenance: From the James Carpenter Estate Collection.
Lot 328, Sold $8,850
Brian Lebel's Cody Old West Auction - June 26th, 2021, Santa Fe, NM.
