The Estate of Larry Howard

Brian Lebel's Mesa Auction - January 21, 2017
Lot 51: Tom Mix's Personal Cowboy Boots. Sold $5,175
Lot 52: Bob Baldwin Canon City Spurs made for Tom Mix. Est. Sold $16,100

Lot 49: Tom Mix's Personal Batwing Chaps.
Brian Lebel's Mesa Auction - January 21, 2017
Sold $19,550

Larry W. Howard passed away at his home in Dewey, Arizona on August 9, 2016. It will go down as a sad day in the cowboy collecting world, as Larry was one of our own, and one of our best. Larry did things the right way – he was fair, honest, generous. He was well-respected and well-liked by dealers and collectors because if you knew Larry, you knew two things about him: 1) he knew the good stuff, and 2) he would treat you fairly. 

Larry was, like so many of us, an incurable collector. But when Larry fell for something, he collected the best – whether cars, saddles, spurs, buildings… it didn’t matter. Larry understood that the best items in any category would always be great. His admiration of Tom Mix lead to a collection of some of the world’s best personal Tom Mix items. 

He was a collector and lover of California spurs and bits, and believed that the work involved was truly fine art. He strove to make sure that art got the credit it deserved.

Larry also appreciated the “art” of dealing and collecting. He didn’t like that the collecting world had gotten complicated. He felt that collecting and selling had lost its fun. He started his show in Prescott, Arizona to host a gathering of friends and collectors, so that they could spend time together and have fun. Like the old days. 

He had many friends and followers, and I think that over almost 30 years of running shows, I’ve been asked, “Where can I find Larry Howard’s table?” more than any other dealer. Larry liked to hear everyone’s opinions, especially his own. The thing is, he was usually right. I counted on him for his opinion quite often myself. I will miss him, and his opinions.

-- Brian Lebel, January 2017

Lot 260: Canon City Double Mounted "Slipper" Spurs.
Brian Lebel's Mesa Auction - January 21, 2017
Sold $10,925

The Estate of Snuff Garrett (1938-2015)

The Estate of Snuff Garrett 

If you don’t know who Snuff Garret is, you need to Google him immediately. One of the greatest American music record producers of all time, Snuff wasn’t just rich and famous, he was ostentatious and hilarious, fun and funny, brilliant, quick, and as foul mouthed as a man could be. He was a hoot. And he was a cowboy.

Thomas Leslie “Snuff” Garrett was born in Dallas, Texas. He dropped out of high school, became a disc jockey in Lubbock, and went on to become the most successful record producer of the 1960s and 1970s. A few of his stable of artists included Bobby Vee, Gary Lewis & the Playboys, Johnny Burnette, Del Shannon, Cher, Brenda Lee, Nancy Sinatra and countless others. He worked with Phil Spector, Carole King, Leon Russell, Clint Eastwood and Burt Reynolds. Snuff’s great talent was his ability to know a hit song when he heard one, and know who should sing it. He was, to everyone’s agreement, a genius in that respect.

Snuff loved music, and he loved art. Along with his music friends, and Hollywood friends, Snuff had artist friends. Olaf Wieghorst, Joe Beeler, Michael Coleman, John Hampton, Tom Ryan, Gary Niblett, Harley Brown and many others. Snuff’s home was filled with art from his cowboy artist buddies. It was also filled with movie posters. Framed original lithographs hung floor to ceiling, featuring the antics of Tom Mix, Roy Rogers, Rex Allen and the others. Every room in Snuff’s house was a testament to his many passions. 

Of his many famous friends, Roy Rogers and Snuff had a particularly special relationship. Snuff grew up on Hollywood cowboys and he worshipped Roy. When, as an adult, he met and worked with Roy, the two became fast friends. Frequently Snuff referred to Roy as a “father figure.” It was clear in the way that Snuff emulated Roy (from his suits to his boots), that he had great respect for the man. They remained dear friends for life.  

Snuff was an avid collector, and not given to restraint in any way. In the 1980s he bought the then-struggling Bohlin Company after Ed passed away. He has a whole lot of Bohlin buckles to show for it. He was a member of the exclusive Charlie Russell Riders, and prized his Riders collection. But the best part about Snuff’s collecting – whether gifts from famous friends, rare movie posters, silver spurs, or anything else for that matter -- is that he did it out of love. He loved this stuff, and he took great pleasure in living with it every day. Snuff’s heart was as big as his personality.

We are honored (though saddened) to offer items from the Estate of our fu*#%ing friend, Snuff Garrett. The collection is extensive and impressive, and more pieces will be offered at our June auction in Fort Worth. Many of Snuff’s collectibles are personalized, or personal, or just plain cool. Like he was.  

If you’d like to learn more about Snuff Garrett, we recommend you do an Internet search for the Sept. 3, 1998 “Phoenix New Times” article about Snuff by Gilbert Garcia. It’s titled, “Happy Trails.”

Lot 38: Roy Rogers' Personal Eagle Boots, a gift from Roy to Snuff.
Brian Lebel's Mesa Auction - January 21, 2017
Sold $7,670

Lot 130: 18K Gold Edward H. Bohlin Buckle Set with Snuff's initials in Rubies, and  Exotic Belts with Extra Tips.
Brian Lebel's Mesa Auction - January 21, 2017
Sold $8,850

Lot 272: Cattle Brand Engraved Colt Single Action. Bohlin marked sterling and 14K gold grips with high relief steer head. Sold $18,150
Lot 273: Edward H. Bohlin Two-Tone, Sterling Gun Rig. Sold $7,865
Brian Lebel's Mesa Auction - January 21, 2017

Lot 194: One of several lots by Snuff's friend Olaf Wieghorst
Brian Lebel's Mesa Auction - January 21, 2017
Sold $1,534

Lot 43: Pair of Tom Mix Circus Original Lithograph Posters.
Brian Lebel's Mesa Auction - January 21, 2017
Sold $2,242