Revolver with ownership attributed to outlaw Jesse James tops $100,000 at Morphy’s Old West & Native American Art Auction held June 20 in Santa Fe
Other Highlights: Sculpture by Frederic Remington titled The Rattlesnake, $86,100;
silver parade saddle by Nolte-Olsen in San Francisco circa 1937, $46,750;
18K Waltham hunting cased pocket watch, $27,060
SANTA FE, NM – A Manhattan Arms Navy Series IV Single Action Percussion Revolver with ownership attributed to the outlaw Jesse James hit the mark for $100,860 to take top lot honors at Morphy’s Old West & Native American Art Auction held June 20 at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center. The auction dovetailed nicely into the 36th Annual Old West Show, held June 19-21 at the same venue.
The Old West & Native American Art Auction featured 515 lots of top-quality Western art and antiques and rang up more than $900,000, including the buyer’s premium. “It was a strong finish to our time in Santa Fe,” said Dan Morphy, the president of Morphy Auctions. “We are grateful for the support we have received over the years and look forward to continuing the event in Mesa, Arizona in May 2027.”
The array of auction merchandise included Western fine and decorative art; cowboy apparel; saddles, spurs, bridles, bits and chaps by noted makers; Native American art, textiles and pottery; relics; antique firearms and holsters; Hollywood cowboy memorabilia, antique and contemporary belt buckles and other silverwork; lawmen’s badges, Old West advertising, photographs and lithography; and more.
The Manhattan Arms Navy Series IV Single Action Percussion Revolver with ownership attributed to the outlaw Jesse James was reportedly used by James at the robbery of the Southern Bank of Kentucky in Russellville, Kentucky, on March 20, 1868. A letter signed by James’s son Jesse Edward James and daughter-in-law Stella James attested to the legend. The selling price of $100,860 was within estimate.
A wonderfully-detailed sculpture titled The Rattlesnake by American sculptor Frederic Remington (1861-1909), cast in 1,000+ ozt of .999 silver, sold within estimate for $86,100. The 17-inch-tall sculpture, #3 from an edition of 100, was cast at the Maiden Foundry in Oregon in 1989. With the price of silver reaching record highs, the work wasn’t just displayable Western art; it was also a fine investment piece.
The first silver parade saddle built by Nolte-Olsen in San Francisco, representing the pinnacle of high-end parade saddles produced by Al Nolte, circa 1937, realized $46,750, which was also within estimate. The silversmith responsible for the fine decorations was Robert Schaezlein, who operated a shop out of San Francisco, and the tooling was by Gene Sisco. The saddle had been mounted on a horse only twice since its inception in 1937. It was accompanied by an original 1930s photograph of the Nolte-Olsen storefront.
A rare 18K pink gold Waltham hunting cased pocket watch with exceptional alternating inlaid panels of pink and white gold-quartz surrounding a central yellow gold California grizzly bear brought $27,060, just below the high estimate. The watch was fitted with a size 18, 21-jewel, circa-1889 Vanguard-grade lever-set movement and the case diameter was 54mm. The white porcelain Roman numeral dial had blued steel spade hands and the gross weight was 138.7 grams. The watch was running and in good condition.
A fantastic Sharps “Old Reliable” cartridge belt, similar to the belt worn by the famed buffalo hunter Jesse Hendricks, blew past the $6,500 high estimate to settle at $24,600. The belt measured 43½ inches long by 4 inches wide, with 2-inch cartridge loops, twin buckles and two thin leather shoulder straps with roller buckles for adjustment. It was found in an old hunting camp in Northern Ontario, Canada.
A hitched horsehair bridle with original kissing-bird-style half-breed bit crafted in a Montana prison was bid to $17,220, well above the $10,000 high estimate. The bridle was executed in a black-on-cream ground with bright color combinations of turquoise, pink, orange, green, purple, red and blue colors throughout. Domed rosette conchos with nickel edges had images of horse heads and running horses.
A pair of Mexican colonial silver mounted spurs, rarely seem in such fine a condition and still together as a set, climbed to $14,760, more than double the $6,000 high estimate. The spurs were finished in the finest traditions of Spanish-influenced master Mexican craftsmen of the colonial period in the Republic of Mexico and Alta California. They were crafted from hand-forged iron and double-mounted with inlaid silver bands with stamped dot and diamond designs. Straps were lined in fine maroon Moroccan leather.
A bronze statue of “The Duke” – John Wayne – depicted in Old West garb and carrying a rifle, by the sculptor David Manuel (b. 1940), achieved $9,840, more than triple the high estimate. The statue, 28½ inches in height, was signed, titled, dated (1979) and editioned in the cast (#26 of 250). It bore the publisher’s mark “Bianchi Frontier Museum” and foundry mark “Maiden Bronze Foundry, Walla Walla, Washington”. Included was a Certificate of Authenticity from the Frontier Museum Historical Center.
Realizing the same final selling price of $9,840 was a large-format Buffalo Bill “Rough Riders” poster, produced by Wieners lithography (London and Paris) and advertising shows in Belgium. The poster, measuring 44 inches by 68¼ inches and mounted in a contemporary poster frame, was graded well at 8.9 for condition and featured a dynamic bucking bronco and cowboy in woolie chaps. The text was partially in French and partially in English. It was accompanied by an original postcard from the event.
A pair of black woolly chaps made by the renowned maker Hamley & Company of Pendleton, Oregon, fetched $9,225, easily besting the high estimate of $6,000. The 37-inch-long chaps were in excellent supple condition, with no shedding or hair loss. The tops had a striking incised leather black diamond pattern under ivory. The maker was stamped to an end of the belt (HAMLEY & CO / PENDLETON / ORE).
To discuss consigning to a future Old West & Native American Art Auction, or other auction hosted by Morphy’s, call Dan Morphy at 877-968-8880 or email info@morphyauctions.com. All enquiries are kept strictly confidential and there is never an obligation to consign. Online: www.morphyauctions.com.
Morphy’s appoints Kim Martindale, 50-year veteran in the field of Western and Native American art-show production, to the position of chief event consultant
Martindale brings vast, specific experience to his new role and will focus on astutely developing Morphy’s Old West Show & Auction series held in Las Vegas and Santa Fe
DENVER, PA – Dan Morphy, founder and president of Morphy Auctions, today announced the appointment of renowned Western art and antique show promoter Kim Martindale to the position of chief event consultant. Over the past several years, Morphy’s, an international firm headquartered in Pennsylvania, has magnified its presence in Western, tribal and ethnographic art with the acquisition of the Las Vegas Old West Show & Auction and the Santa Fe Old West Show & Auction. With his incomparable track record as a specialist event promoter, Martindale is infinitely qualified to advise and guide Morphy’s show production and marketing team as they scale and improve the company’s Western show series.
“With the Las Vegas and Santa Fe shows running at a robust pace, we felt the logical next step would be to identify and enlist a consultant with impeccable professional credentials and an advanced knowledge of show promotion and long-term show development. We found all of those qualities in Kim Martindale,” said Dan Morphy, founder and president of Morphy Auctions.
Based in Los Angeles and widely acknowledged as one of the art world’s premier experts in his chosen field, Martindale is no stranger to either top-tier Western art or ethical trade practices. He has, himself, established and produced some of the country’s most prestigious and successful specialty shows and is a founding and current Board member of the Antique Tribal Arts Dealers Association (ATADA).
Martindale planted his roots in the Western art world at the age of 16, helping to launch the Whitehawk Antique Indian & Ethnographic Art show (Santa Fe, N.M.). By the time he was 18, he had taken over production of the event, which he would later acquire. Over the years to follow, Martindale insightfully divided it into three separate spinoff entities: the Antique American Indian Art Show, the Antique Ethnographic Art Show, and the Santa Fe Old West Show. He continued to operate the trio of shows until the late 1980s/early 1990s and still owns and produces the original Whitehawk show, now in its 47th year.
Together with long-time partner John Morris, who passed away in November 2023, Martindale co-produced the Objects of Art & American Indian/Tribal Santa Fe. From 2010, they also produced the San Francisco Tribal & Textile Art Show and the American Indian Art Show/San Francisco, both of which enjoyed a 38-year run and now continue as online virtual shows.
In 2022, Martindale spearheaded the Indigenous Celebration NM 2022 (IC22) alongside JoAnn Balzer, Bill Butler, Felipe Colon, and George Rivera, in an initiative that unites 40+ New Mexico-based art organizations.
Beyond New Mexico, Martindale’s promotional ventures have included the Tribal Art Show held in association with the Denver Art Museum; and the Scottsdale Antiques and Fine Art Show, Emerging Artists, and ARTscottsdale, all presented in association with the Phoenix Art Museum and Art and Antiques magazine.
Martindale also left his indelible mark on California’s art scene, producing the Santa Monica Indian Art Show, the San Francisco show Ethnic Visions, and the Marin American Indian Art Show, known to collectors as simply “the Marin Show.” He created the first LA Art Show, one of the world’s most prestigious events of its type, and was its producer for 25 years. Additionally, he served as a co-chair (with Ron Hartwig of the J. Paul Getty Trust) of the Los Angeles Arts Month Committee and was a formative partner in the establishment of January as “Los Angeles Arts Month.”
Commenting on his new association with Morphy’s, Martindale said, “I’m excited to join Morphy’s in this collaborative project because there’s a need for more high-quality shows and the development of existing shows. We need shows because there’s nothing like seeing art in person. With the experience I’ve amassed over nearly 50 years of event promotion, I hope to offer ideas and assets that will have a positive impact on the future of Morphy’s Western shows.”
Dan Morphy remarked: “We’re thrilled that Kim has agreed to join us as a senior consultant. His knowledge, reputation and incomparable experience in the Western and Native American arts sector make him absolutely unique. We are fortunate to be able to benefit from his expertise.”
Old West Show:
Cheryl Goyda,
877-968-8880, ext. 755
or email Cheryl.Goyda@morphyauctions.com
