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.