Edward H. Bohlin Child's Parade Saddle

Exceedingly rare, dazzling and very well maker-marked brown Bohlin "Hexagon" model child's pony size parade saddle in very fine condition with fully matching Bridle, Bit, Breast Collar and original black and white wool Corona. Made in the early 1950's by the renowned Hollywood Saddlemaker to the Stars for that special child that has everything.

This extravagant brown floral carved ensemble features an engraved one-piece silvered front with twisted rope-edge gullet and pelican style horn, sterling rope-edge cantle, prominent corner plates with raised 5-point Texas stars, plus extensively and artistically ornamental heavy gauge sterling silver hexagon conchos that, accordingly to the 1954 catalog description, "have many facets that reflect light making a very striking effect in the Show Ring". The Seat measures 13", Skirts 24", Fender 9" and Tapaderos 18".

A quick review of the all the Bohlin catalogs from 1927 through the 1960's indicates that Ed offered only two of their parade saddles in child's sizes that being the Jackie Cooper model in the 1930s and 40s and this Hexagon pattern in the 1950's.

Lot 1306, Sold $79,950
Brian Lebel’s Las Vegas Old West Auction - Friday, January 26, 2024

Tad Mizwa Miniature Silver Parade Saddle with Gun Belt and Holsters

Tad Mizwa Miniature Silver Parade Saddle with Gun Belt and Holsters. Dazzling half-scale (40%) sterling silver mounted master work by the beloved and affable miniature saddle maker and remarkable leather carver who passed away in April of 2019. This stunning floral carved two-tone master work with exquisite hand crafted sterling embellishments features a fully silvered front gullet, pommel and horn with rope edge plus matching sterling covered cantle. The skirts, fenders and lovely long monkey nose tapaderos are trimmed in miniature diamond and half-diamond silver conchos and silver spots including intricately engraved corner plates. While the silver work is undeniably regal and lavish, the leather craving is masterful, exemplary and inspiring validating Mizwa's reputation as the "Leonardo of leather carvers". The saddle includes a black and white corona and a matching two-tone, silver mounted Tad Mizwa Gun Rig with two Holsters adorned with diamonds, half-diamonds, silver floral spots and three, 3-piece sterling buckle sets. Perfect condition, c. 1990.

Tad Mizwa (1927-2019) had always been both a cowboy and western artisan in spirit dating back to his childhood when he became so fascinated with trick roping that he taught himself how to do it. Working with leather at age 14 during WWII, Tad mastered carving and tooling leather using only a nail set and razor blade. At age 19, Mizwa traveled to Phoenix and was introduced to the renowned Porter Saddle shop where he met master leather carver, Ray Pohja who encouraged him to upgrade and refine his overall technique. Tad had a diverse array of jobs during his nine decades of life from journalist to saddle maker extraordinaire with miniature saddles as his specialty. He made three historically accurate replica saddles for permanent exhibition at the Witte Museum in San Antonio plus a Tournament of Roses Parade Saddle with over 600 pieces of sterling silver. Along with his treasured custom full size saddles, Tad created exquisite miniature saddles with the last being a Mexican saddle completed in 2002, on display now at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. Other than being 40% smaller in scale, his miniature saddles are exact reproductions.

Lot 366, Sold $29,500
Brian Lebel's Mesa Old West Auction - January 21st & 22nd, 2022 - Mesa, AZ.

Edward H. Bohlin Dick Dickson Jr. Parade Saddle

Edward H. Bohlin Dick Dickson Jr. Parade Saddle
Dick Dickson Jr. Parade saddle made by Edward Bohlin for John R. Dow of Kansas City, MO. This black, floral carved Dickson Jr. model is built on a Miles City tree with 13" swells, 15" seat, 3 1/2" cantle and Bohlin's trademark raised buffalo head on the silver horn. The regal 21" long tapaderos include every Parader's requisite engraved silver caps and rope edge cantle cover. Completely matching and adorned with heavy gauge sterling silver engraved diamonds and half-diamonds, this Dickson features a matching breast collar and bridle with face drop and marked Bohlin bit. “JRD” on back of cantle in gold, with engraved “JOHN R. DOW / KANSAS CITY, MO” beneath. Complete with a black and white wool Corona. The entire ensemble is in excellent, 100% original condition. Circa 1950. Includes custom wood stand with sterling silver Bohlin seat plate attached to the bridle holder. Includes letter of identification from James H. Nottage.

This particular style of Bohlin parade saddle was originally designed by and named for movie theatre executive, rancher, and RV regular, Dick Dickson. In the 1930s, the Dick Dickson, Miss Dickson and Dick Dickson Jr. became the most popular parade styles made by the Bohlin company, and remained so for a quarter-of-a-century.

Lot 134, Brian Lebel's Cody Old West Auction - June 22, 2019. Santa Fe, NM.
Sold $26,550.

Bob Tanner’s Personal Edward H. Bohlin Dickson Parade Ensemble

This fantastic Edward Bohlin saddle outfit was worn for many years in the famous Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade by the almost-as-famous, Bob Tanner. A complete set, it includes the matching bridle, Bohlin diamond bit, heavy breast collar, red corona, and wonderful serapes with a star-burst pattern around the letter “T”. The “T” is repeated on the impressive 24” tapaderos. The seat measures 15” with a rope edge cantle. The name plate on the cantle reads, “BOB TANNER / BISHOP, CALIFORNIA”, and seat plate is engraved “BOB TANNER”. The Tanners often visited with Ed Bohlin himself, and anything they needed came directly from Ed, like this custom and unique set. The set comes with 2 coronas; red and white, and yellow and white. Also included are color photocopies of two photographs: Mrs. Tanner riding the saddle in the Rose Parade; and the Tanners with Ed Bohlin and the saddle in front of Ed's shop. 

Lot 169, Brian Lebel's Old West Auction - January 20, 2017, Mesa, AZ.
Sold $47,200

Victor Alexander Parade Saddle Set with Keyston Bros. (San Francisco) Silver Mountings

Black, floral carved sterling silver mounted parade saddle with 21" long tapaderos, original black and white wool corona, 14” seat and inset sterling seat-plate stamped, “Victor Alexander - Hayward, Calif.” Saddle is heavily adorned with domed and scalloped Keyston Bros conchos in varying sizes, plus sterling swells caps and exquisitely engraved, fully silvered, heavy gauge 3 1/2" high cantle. Ensemble includes Bridle with Fleming Bit and maker-marked Keyston Bros (San Francisco) silver plus matching Breast Collar. Fine, very ridable condition, circa 1940-42.

Lot 58, Brian Lebel's Mesa Auction - January 21, 2017
Sold $22,420

Karl’s of Seattle

Karl’s of Seattle was owned by Karl L. Raab who employed one of the premier silversmiths on the west coast, Don Ellis (1913-1969), to manufacture mountings for their coveted line of parade saddles. Don grew up in Seattle where he was a self-taught silversmith and engraver. During his younger years as a rodeo rider, Don created his first rodeo trophy buckle for Ellensburg, Washington rodeo events. By the 1940s he was making silver saddles as well as gold and silver buckles. In the early 1950s Don created the lavish gold and silver presentation buckles for the Rodeo Cowboy Association and completed his crowning achievement, the Wes Williams’ saddle that is on display at the Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City. Don is often referred to as the “Ed Bohlin of the Pacific Northwest” when, in fact, his exquisite style of engraving met or exceeded the best that the renowned Hollywood Saddle Maker to the Stars ever had to offer.

Lot 7: Karl’s, Washington State, Parade Saddle with Don Ellis Silver Mountings.

Brian Lebel's Old West Auction - June 11, 2016
Sold $4,130