Included is the accompanying Bohlin Martingale, split-ear Bridle and silver overlaid Bohlin marked California Bit. Both the martingale and saddle horn cap feature prominently placed, wonderfully engraved silver Bohlin conchos with raised gold "CG" initials. Gable used the saddle on his ranch in the San Fernando valley in the 1930s. Later, in the 1960s, the saddle was gifted to a Bohlin customer by Ed Bohlin in gratitude for helping avoid a lawsuit (story below).
Condition: The saddle is in very good condition. The Martingale has broken leather where one strap attaches to the medallion; it is also taped on a lower piece. The split-ear bridle has the leather broken on one side.
Provenance included with lot:
1) Edward H. Bohlin handwritten store receipt to "Gunderson" dated 4-12-68, listing a "Clark Gable Saddle - with Corona – Martingale - Bridle & Bit - Silver Trimmed - Value $750.00” [no charge listed], plus other gear purchased at the time. Salesman listed as "EHB" denoting Edward H. Bohlin.
2) Original typed and signed letter on Edward H. Bohlin's store stationary dated May 4, 1968 as Bill of Sale “in consideration of the sum of $1.00” for the Clark Gable Saddle, along with the original mailing envelope addressed to Mr. Gunderson in Oroville, California.
3) Robert Gunderson’s handwritten account of his acquisition of the Gable saddle from Bohlin.
4) Bohlin receipt dated 9-14-66 for Gunderson’s purchase of the “F.F. Barham silver saddle”.
5) Receipts between Gunderson and the Bohlin Shop in 1967.
Robert Gunderson’s Acquisition of the Clark Gable Saddle from Ed Bohlin:
Robert B. Gunderson (1925-2009) was born May 9, 1925 in Los Angeles, California and lived in California all his life, receiving an M.B.A. from Chico State University while going on to teach at Las Plumas High School in Oroville. Bob served as a Lt. Col. in the US Army, a Civil Engineer, a contractor and a rancher with an expressed fondness for the old west.
Robert fondly recalled visits to the Ed Bohlin saddlery in Hollywood and his wonderment at seeing all the fabulous silver mounted saddles in the Ed's showroom at Santa Monica and Highland. One day while he was visiting Bohlin's shop, Gunderson saw and purchased a silver mounted G.S. Garcia trophy saddle from the 1926 Elko, Nevada Rodeo. The saddle was from the heirs of the estate of F.F. Barham (publisher of the Los Angeles Herald-Express and close friend of William Randolph Hearst). What no one at Bohlin knew was that it had been consigned by one individual without the knowledge of the rest of the family.
Upon their discovery of the sale of their saddle, the Barham family threatened to sue Ed Bohlin, and it was then that Ed phoned Robert in Oroville and pleaded for the saddle's return so that Bohlin could avoid litigation and bad publicity resulting from a lawsuit by such a prominent Los Angeles Family. Gunderson generously acquiesced, and Ed drove up to Oroville in his “red Wagoneer” to pick-up the Garcia Saddle.
In his grateful appreciation for returning the Garcia saddle, Bohlin gave Gunderson the Lichtenberger-Ferguson Clark Gable saddle in exchange. Gunderson recalls, “What I didn’t, know he brought up the Gable Saddle and traded it to me for the Garcia, no strings attached. He was a great man.”
Lot 285, Sold $16,520
Brian Lebel's Mesa Old West Auction - January 23, 2021. Mesa, AZ.
