Exceptional Trail Saddle

Lot 264: Early Texas Trail Saddle

A rare 1850s Texas style stock saddle. Exposed and chased rawhide tree, leaf design tooling in the earliest style. The pommel has red leather decoration within the rigging. The horsehair anquera which formed the rear skirts has been trimmed. The saddle includes a pair of very scarce pommel holsters with matching tooling and finish. The flaps have been removed and attached is the original ball pouch. The holsters fit a large frame revolver such as the Colt Walker or Dragoon. Very hard to find these accessories intact. The buckles and rigging rings have original leather coverings. The quilted and padded seat shows some insect damage. The original tapaderos cover fine-condition, leather covered and tooled stirrups. The fenders are in excellent condition and show little if any use. A very similar saddle is shown in both, “Fine Art of the West” by Byron Price, page 22 & 23; and “Cowboys and the Trappings of the Old West” by William Manns and Elizabeth Clair Flood, page 111.

Brian Lebel's Old West Auction - June 11, 2016
Sold $7,475

Rare Scout Jacket

Lot 254: Sioux Quilled Jacket

A very seldom seen example of an early Scout jacket. With finely executed quilled designs in bright colorful designs and symbols including birds, flowers, crosses and crossed American flags on the sleeves. Trimmed in fringe, with remnants of blue silk trim at the edges. Cotton lining. Wonderful fringe along the arms, shoulders and down the center of the back.  Circa late 19th century, 30" tall, 15" wide, 22" sleeves. Front shows fading to quillwork, but the back is bright and beautiful. 

Brian Lebel's Old West Auction - June 11, 2016
Sold $3,540

John L. Clarke, aka Cutapuis – The Man Who Talks Not

J.L. Clarke (1881-1970), also known by his Blackfeet name Cutapuis – The Man Who Talks Not – was born in 1881 in Highwood, Montana. After suffering from Scarlet Fever as a child, he was left permanently deaf and mute. He was, however, highly educated, including St. John's School for the Deaf in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he learned to carve. Clarke was a multi-talented artist, working in a variety of mediums, including oils, watercolors, clays, but his reputation as an artist was built on his ability to carve bears, mountain goats, and the other wild animals of Glacier National Park.

Although Clarke is considered self-taught, he briefly attended the Chicago Art Institute but returned to East Glacier Park in 1913 and opened a studio, which he operated until his death in 1970. During his early years as an artist, Clarke signed his name as Clark, but sometime after 1920, he began to spell his name Clarke. By 1925, his work came to the attention of W. Frank Purdy of the American School of Sculpture. Purdy was so impressed, he arranged for Clarke’s work to be exhibited The Palace of Fine Arts and The New York Academy of Design. Over the years, his work would be shown in numerous shows and galleries across Europe and America, eventually earning a listing in Who’s Who of American Art. Earlier in his life, Clarke had developed a friendship with Charles Russell, who once told him, “Your work is like mine, many people like to look at it but there are few buyers…” and like Russell, Clarke’s wife became his marketing manager. Clarke’s patrons included: President Warren G. Harding, John D. Rockefeller, Charles Russell, and Louis W. Hill, the CEO of the Great Northern Railroad, among others.

Lot 168: J.L. Clarke "Glacier" Grizzly Bear Lamp. 

Brian Lebel's Old West Auction - June 11, 2016
Sold $3,540

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

Fine Northern Plains Artifact, Ready to Dispay

Lot 161: Northern Plains Beaded Rifle Scabbard

Nicely constructed beaded rifle scabbard on native tanned hide, with classic geometric beadwork in two shades of blue, white, red and yellow. With remnants for blue cotton cloth at seam. 48" long without fringe; 7" wide at widest point. Circa 1880-90s. Includes custom wall mounts.

Brian Lebel's Old West Auction - June 11, 2016
Sold $8,850

From the Walls of an Iconic Las Vegas Casino

Lot 30: Set of Four Murals from Binion's Westerner, Las Vegas.

Hand-painted large murals from the walls of Binion’s former "The Westerner" casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The set of 4 murals are painted in the WPA style, and depict various scenes of the American Frontier West: miners with misbehaving mules, Conestoga wagons on the prairie, pioneers with oxen, and of course, a stagecoach robbery. They work very well together or could be used separately and still make a great statement. They are unsigned, though appear to have possibly been painted by two different artists. All four are oil on canvas, mounted to board. Four feet high and twelve feet wide, each measures 48” x 144 1/4". Two are framed to 146 3/8" x 50 1/4"; the other two are unframed. 

The famous Benny Binion of Fort Worth and Dallas fame (and later Las Vegas), opened "The Westerner: Saloon-Gambling House-Restaurant" on Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas in 1950. A Western-themed casino, it was just next door to the iconic Pioneer neon cowboy. Binion sold it in less than a year to open his soon-to-be famous Horseshoe Club.

Brian Lebel's Old West Auction - June 11, 2016
Sold $17,250

Impressive Saddle Bags

Large and finely beaded Northern Plains/Sioux saddle bags. Red and blue bars on a white field with red and blue bordered, stepped triangles in dark green. Edges are beaded and fringed along the back of the bags. On native tanned hide. Beaded panels measure 11 1/4" x 11". These impressive bags are 80" in length overall, which includes the 16" bottom fringe. 

Lot 164: Sioux Fringed Saddle Bags

Brian Lebel's Old West Auction - June 11, 2016
Sold $10,890

Little Sure Shot

Lots 153: Annie Oakley’s Personal 20 Gauge Parker Brothers Shotgun

Annie Oakley Parker Brothers Shotgun manufactured by Parker to Annie’s specifications. *S/N 181313, 20 gauge, 27” barrels, with special safety device mounted on left side of receiver, 15 1/4" buttstock, steel front bead, GH Grade. CONDITION: Bright bores, 95% barrel blue, 40% case color on frame, checkering and engraving still strong, walnut stock cracked and repaired at wrist. Brass inscription plate on stock reads: “Annie Oakley to Curtis Liston 12, 25, 18.” Curtis was a fellow Buffalo Bill’s Wild West performer, and friend of Annie and Frank Butler. She gifted him the gun for Christmas 1918. 

PROVENANCE: Ex: Michael Del Castello Collection

Literature: Pictured, page 137, “Buffalo Bill’s Wild West; An American Legend” by R. L. Wilson with Greg Martin, Random House, New York, 1998. Pictured: “US Steel News”, October 1950, in an article about Curtis Liston that includes an image of him holding the shotgun (publication included in lot). 

Brian Lebel's Old West Auction - June 11, 2016
Sold $195,500

Lot 152: Annie Oakley’s Personal Hotel Trunk

A classic travel trunk from Annie Oakley’s personal collection, descended through her family. Stenciled on top: “Annie Oakley. / Hotel.” Iron-bound hardwood, 13 1/2" x 38" x 21". 

PROVENANCE: Ex: Don Blakeley Collection (Annie was his great-aunt); to Cody Old West Auction 2009; to current owner.

Brian Lebel's Old West Auction - June 11, 2016
Sold $19,550

FORE!

Lot 80: Kiowa Golf Bag

Native tanned hide with traces of yellow ochre. Beaded bands and stripe designs in Kiowa red, gold, blue, green, black and white beads. Circa 1890s-1900s, 41" overall, including fringe. 

Brian Lebel's High Noon Auction - January 23, 2016
Sold $1,298

Mexican General Rafael Avila Camacho (1904-1975)

Lot 114: Historic Hollywood Parade Saddle, Accessories and personal Artifacts belonging to Mexican General Rafael Avila Camacho (1904-1975)

Black floral carved silver mounted Southern California parade ensemble maker-marked Hollywood Saddlery Ltd., circa 1940, with black & white wool Corona. Includes matching Breast Collar plus Bridle and Reins with outstanding Mexican Bit. The saddle is artfully mounted with finely engraved silvered cantle, gullet and swell caps, and adorned with sterling silver diamonds bordering the fenders, skirts and tapaderos. 

Lot includes Camacho’s floral carved and monogrammed Scabbard with silver adornments; his impressive studded Mexican Chapaderos with wide initialed carved leather belt, and military insignia, plus a framed, enamel Tin Plaque commemorating his heroic military service from 1921-23. There is also one 1949 studio photograph of the General participating in a parade mounted on this very saddle and another picture showing him participating in a function when he was Governor of the state of Puebla.

Provenance: Acquired in 2014 from Carlos Moreno Vasquez who purchased the saddle and accessories directly from descendants of the Avila Camacho family that continue to reside in Teziutlan, Puebla, Mexico today. 

Brian Lebel's High Noon Auction - January 23, 2016
Sold 14,950

An Essential Feature of Indian Regalia

Lot 58: Hunkpapa Lakota (Sioux) Pictorial Tobacco Bag

Classic Swallowtail style favored by Sitting Bull’s band of Hunkpapa Lakota. Beadwork depicts a dismounted Warbonnet Warrior engaged in battle, arrows flying toward him. Surrounded by enemy horse tracks, he wields a revolver in each hand protecting his wounded horse. The blue roan stallion on the opposite side of the bag wears a pad saddle and has two wounds on the hip, with an arrow protruding from one. His tail is tied up and bound for battle. 32” long overall x 7” wide. 

"Beaded tobacco bags were an essential feature of male regalia, holding their sacred pipe smoking regalia and often depicting their notable deeds." - Cathy A. Smith, Lakota Historian, Cowgirl Hall of Fame Honoree.

Brian Lebel's High Noon Auction - January 23, 2016
Sold $18,150

The Art of William Moyers & John Moyers

We find ourselves fortunate to be able to offer the art of both William & John Moyers. We are all such big fans.

Lot 157: William Moyers (1916 - 2010) 

Rope for a Bunch Drifter
Oil on board
24" x 36" 
Signed lower left: WM MOYERS CA (c)
Framed to 32" x 44"

Brian Lebel's High Noon Auction - January 23, 2016
Sold $5,900

Lot 177: John Moyers (b. 1958)

Road to Taos
Oil on canvas
30" x 30" 
Signed lower right:  John Moyers CA
Framed to 37" x 37" 

Brian Lebel's High Noon Auction - January 23, 2016
Sold $7,080

Breaking the Monotony of Frontier Garrison Life

Lot 304: Springfield 1875 2nd Type Officer’s Model Sporting

NVSN, .45-70 caliber, 26” inch barrel, Springfield 1875 2nd Type Officer’s Model Sporting Rifle, “Trapdoor”. Crisp, deep engraving on hammer, lock plate, trigger guard, receiver, breech block, barrel band, fore end cap and butt plate. Correct tang and front folding peep sights, Model 1879 rear barrel sight. Crisp, deep checkering on oil finish stock, removable pistol grip, set trigger and cleaning rod are present. No cartouche, as is correct. Clear firing proof at point of checkering. CONDITION: excellent bright bore, 95% arsenal barrel blue, shadowy case colors on block and barrel band, 50% silver/nickel on fore end cap, deep rich walnut is almost a red in color, minor use dings on wood, smooth “iron blue” on furniture, overall a very pleasing example of a rare frontier firearm.

These sporting rifles were offered for sale to officers in the west during the 1870s. The possibility of hunting to break the monotony of frontier garrison life, plus adding wild game to the table, made these rifles attractive. The engraving (done at Springfield Armory), rarity (approximately 250 Type 2 rifles produced) and overall “look” of the rifle makes it one of the most sought-after trapdoor rifles produced during their long period of use.

Brian Lebel's High Noon Auction - January 23, 2016
Sold $19,550

Dawson Gold Fob

Lot 248: 18k Gold Miner's Watch Fob on Nugget Chain

Great old mining fob with a spread-winged eagle perched atop a miner’s crossed pick and shovel, set above a diamond centered star. 1 1/8” diameter. Attached to a 17” nugget chain with a 1 3/4” bar. Medallion is marked “SCHUMAN 18K DAWSON”. 46.5 grams.

Oral history: The nuggets were prospected by the original owner in the gold fields of Colorado on his way to Yukon Territory. Once there, he had his chain constructed by a local jeweler in Dawson City. 

Brian Lebel's High Noon Auction - January 23, 2016
Sold $11,500

Saloon Bottles

Lots 404-414: Eleven total lots of hard-to-find saloon back bar bottles, including both enamel and paper labels. To see all eleven lots, please click here.

Lot 407
Brian Lebel's High Noon Auction - January 23, 2016
Sold $1,150

Lot 406
Brian Lebel's High Noon Auction - January 23, 2016
Sold $1,089

Lot 413
Brian Lebel's High Noon Auction - January 23, 2016
Sold $345

Museum Benefit

Lot 6: Kenneth Bunn
Brian Lebel's High Noon Auction - January 23, 2016
Sold $590

Lot 3: Donald Spaulding
Brian Lebel's High Noon Auction - January 23, 2016
Sold $2,185

Lots 1-11. 

We continue to offer items from the collection of the Jackie Coles Collection from the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. Western museums such as these are instrumental in preserving our western history and heritage, and I hope you will all support the museum of your choosing whenever you can.

We are honored to offer items from the Jackie Coles Collection. Mrs. Coles was a long-time patron and docent volunteer at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. One of her passions was contemporary western art, which she pursued vigorously throughout her life. In 2009 the Jacquelyn L. Coles Revocable Trust donated a portion of her western art collection to the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum for the expressed wishes of generating funds to be used for educational programs, collection conservation, exhibitions and the creation of a special “Jackie Coles Art Award.” The sale of her artwork is a condition of that portion of the gift. Being sold to benefit the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum’s Program and Acquisition Funds.

To see all eleven lots, please visit click

Lot 8: Joni Falk
Brian Lebel's High Noon Auction - January 23, 2016
Sold $1,495

Exquisite Mexican Saddle

Lot 207: Elegant 1900s Mexican Saddle by Lozano

Intricately detailed light brown 1900s Mexican Saddle with long saddle bags artfully designed with a scalloped border and adorned with a combination of deep floral carving; lavish two-tone pitiado (yucca fiber) with a Greek Key border design framing an embroidered grape-vine pattern with grape clusters cleverly fabricated from fine silver threads. Silver mountings include a figural repousse flat horn, maker stamped “E ROMAN / MEXICO”, repousse adornments on the fork, swell and gullet, plus heavy gauge slotted silver conchos and lavish stirrups. Highly detailed silver repousse stirrups. The cowhide seat cover was added many years ago but is not original to the rawhide seat and should be removable. Excellent overall condition including original cinch. Marked: TALABARTERIA DAVID LOZANO CALLE DE ZULETA / MEXICO / 589. / 4=8=1904.

Provenance: Acquired by German Industrialist Hans Koch (1893-1945) in Mexico around 1900. Koch was a member of the “Cowboy Club of Munich” established in 1913 and a passionate collector of American antiques. Koch was also a lawyer, State Commissar of the Berlin Stock Exchange and a member of the German resistance against the Nazis.

Brian Lebel's High Noon Auction - January 23, 2016
Sold $16,520

Striking Sioux Dress

Lot 187: Lakota Sioux Beaded Hide Dress

Striking Sioux dress on native tanned hide with traces of red pigment. Geometric design beadwork on the blue yoke in white-heart red, amber, blue, yellow and black. Fringe drops at beaded accents adorn both sides. The dress measures 56" at it longest length, 45" shoulder to shoulder with 3" fringe on chest, arms and the body of the dress.
Ex: Jim Strouse Collection - Golden, CO

Brian Lebel's High Noon Auction - January 23, 2016
Sold $17,250

1864 Henry

Lot 276: Henry Rifle

S/N 6500, honest frontier Henry Rifle, 24” barrel. Matching numbers on barrel, tang, butt plate and stock; top tang broken during period of use and ingeniously repaired with a steel wedge, no heat applied, old crack and repair in wrist, probably caused by the same fall that damaged tang, very well-made large buckhorn rear sight, 1864. CONDITION:  Bore has black powder oxidation, heaviest at the muzzle, good rifling; barrel and magazine have scattered pin prick pitting, iron surfaces are dark brown to silver, brass is untouched mustard color, various use dings, wood fits to butt plate but not receiver, either top or bottom tang is out of alignment due to accident that caused the break, missing magazine spring, some screws replaced.  

Brian Lebel's High Noon Auction, January 23, 2016
Sold $10,925

The Pulp Collection of Publisher Arthur Bernhard

A strong offering pulp pieces are crossing the auction block from the estate of publisher, Arthur Bernhard, who collected the original art from the paperback covers he commissioned. Here's a few of our favorites:

Lot 137: Pulp Art Painting
Untitled: Cowboy Shooting a Maxim or Vickers Water-Cooled Machine Gun with a Damsel at his Feet
Acrylic on board
30" x 20"
Unsigned
Framed to 35" x 25"
Provenance: From the Arthur Bernhard collection.
Brian Lebel's High Noon Auction - January 23, 2016
Sold  $708

Lot 138: Pulp Art Painting
Untitled: Cowboy Defending his Wagon
Oil on board
18" x 12"
Unsigned
Framed to 24" x 18"
Provenance: From the Arthur Bernhard collection.
Brian Lebel's High Noon Auction - January 23, 2016
Sold $354

Lot 140: Pulp Art Painting
Buckskin Scout
Oil on canvas
24" x 13 3/4" 
Unsigned
Framed to 29" x 18 14"
Provenance: From the Arthur Bernhard collection.
Brian Lebel's High Noon Auction - January 23, 2016
Sold $236