A film-worn 10-button bib front shirt with Western Costume Co. label sewn in: “9169-1 / John Wayne / Chest 46 / Sleeve 36." Also bears WCC stamps. Includes a number of promotional photos from “The Horse Soldiers” of Wayne wearing the shirt.
Wayne starred as Colonel John Marlowe, a Union cavalry officer in the 1959 John Ford film. Shirt has fading/inconsistent coloration.
Lot 107, Sold $14,160.
Brian Lebel's Mesa Old West Auction - January 23, 2021. Mesa, AZ.
Edward Borein (1872-1945)
Bucking Horse
Pen & ink 7 5/8" x 5 1/4" (sight)
Signed lower left: BOREIN
Framed to 17 5/8" x 15 1/4"
Exhibited: "Bucking Broncos", Phippen Museum, 2019 (tag attached)
Lot 299, Sold $18,880.
Brian Lebel's Mesa Old West Auction - January 23, 2021. Mesa, AZ.
Trigger’s fancy saddle bags with Edward H. Bohlin silver enhancements. Marks: "E" and "802" on the outside, and "E" on the inside. Seen in dozens of photographs from Roy Rogers’ films, television episodes and personal appearances. A classic pair.
Lot $282, Sold $10,620.
Brian Lebel's Mesa Old West Auction - January 23, 2021. Mesa, AZ.
A spectacular pair of one of the rarest Kelly Bros. patterns; Kelly Bros No. 90 spurs. The 1 3/8” button covers and shanks are stamped with initials “WEB”. The iron bands are 5/8” with a 1 5/8” silver concho at the swell. 2 ¼” shanks with opposing crescent moons. 20-point, 2 ½” rowels. Marked “KELLY / BROS”. They show signs of use with a few dents and some wear along the edges. These are sought-after in any condition, and this pair are in wonderful shape.
P.M. Kelly was recognized as one of the most talented craftsmen of all the Texas makers. These spurs were awfully expensive in their day.
Provenance: From the Estate of Roger Wilmot.
Lot 150, Sold $12,100.
Brian Lebel's Mesa Old West Auction - January 23, 2021. Mesa, AZ.
A bright blue 8 button bib front shirt worn by John Wayne as Texas cattleman, Thomas Dunson in 1948’s “Red River” directed by Howard Hawks. Alongside Wayne was Montgomery Cliff, Harry Carey, Harry Carey Jr. and Noah Beery Jr. Western Costume Co. label sewn in, hand written specs, with stamp.
“Red River” was the first important collaboration between Howard Hawks and John Wayne. Nominated for 2 Academy Awards, it was a commercial and critical success.
Lot 274, Sold $21,240.
Brian Lebel's Mesa Old West Auction - January 23, 2021. Mesa, AZ.
A Fine Pictorial Sterling and Gold Parade Saddle
A finely executed saddle set by San Diego artists, Kahle & Son. An ornate, decorative and very impressive sterling silver and gold full parade ensemble with matching bridle and martingale. The two-tone brown elegant floral tooling features a hand carved standing horse on each fender. The silver is heavy gauge with domed square and diamond conchos, silver cantle with rope edge, silver gullet and horn, plus gold horse heads and the initials "JPW" in gold on the rear of the cantle. Each piece of silver has fanciful extra flair to the edges. The 15” seat is partially quilted and there is the original, attached black and white wool corona. . The original cinch with matching tooled leather included. The large 19” eagle bill tapaderos have the extra touch of two-tone wraps around the conchos. The martingale has full coverage silver and an attached throat strap, the bridle is complete with 3 piece silver face drop and a full overlaid sterling half breed bit.
Lot 74, Sold $18,150.
Brian Lebel's Mesa Old West Auction - January 23, 2021. Mesa, AZ.
Rare Winchester Model 1866 Musket used at the Battle of Liberty Place (also known as the battle of Canal Street) in New Orleans, a defining event in the post-Civil War Reconstruction period.
S/N 33351, .44 rimfire caliber, 27 inch barrel, Winchester Model 1866 Musket. Blue barrel, tube, hammer and barrel bands, brass frame, military style walnut stock and forearm, 3 barrel bands, early style barrel sight, sling swivels. Stock and butt plate number correctly, bottom tang marked “LSM” for Louisiana State Militia (known as the Metropolitans), also on bottom tang “9C3”, rack number for the rifle, “BA” carved on right side of stock. Condition: far better than these muskets are usually found, excellent bright bore with some oxidation in grooves, 80% barrel blue thinning and going to plum, smooth mustard colored receiver, wood is excellent and believed to have been refinished long ago, excellent mechanically, excellent marks.
Includes a copy of the book, "The Battle of Liberty Place," by Stuart Omer Landry.
Lot 344, Sold $32,450.
Brian Lebel's Mesa Old West Auction - January 23, 2021. Mesa, AZ.
S/N 15368, .45 Long Colt caliber, 5 inch barrel Colt Single Action Army. Nickel finish, factory 1-piece ivory grips. Colt letter states “shipped to Robert Strahorn”, 1876. Condition: bore is not a factor, retains 20% of its original nickel scattered over the surface areas, barrel was shortened to 5 inches during period of use. Grips have shrunk slightly and have a wonderful, mellow aged surface; metal surfaces show the results of hard use, mechanically very good.
Includes Colt Factory letter and copy of Strahorn’s book, "Crazy Horse; Robert Strahorn & the Rocky Mountain News.”
Robert E. Strahorn (1852-1944). At at the age of 24, Strahorn sought adventure and fame in the Great Sioux War of 1876-77 as a war correspondent for the New York Times, Chicago Tribune and the Rocky Mountain News. Strahorn was embedded with General George Crook’s Big Horn and Yellowstone Expedition for over a year and reported the people and events of the Great Sioux War to the public. “I insisted that I was going in to fight. It was my business as a correspondent to get the news, and I couldn’t think of getting it from the rear.” At the time, war correspondents rode into battle with the troops. General Cook said, “Strahorn worked as well with his rifle as with his pen.” Strahorn was commended by Secretary of War for distinguished bravery and gallantry in action against hostile Indians during the Great Sioux War. Strahorn fought and reported the Horsemeat March, Battle of Powder River, Battle of the Rosebud, Battle of Slim Buttes, Dull Knife Fight and Battle of Wolf Mountain. Strahorn also reported the Battle of the Little Big Horn and witnessed the surrender of Crazy Horse at Fort Robinson on May 6, 1877. Strahorn summarized the rigors of the Great Sioux War. --from military.wikia.org
Lot 346, Sold $23,600.
Brian Lebel's Mesa Old West Auction - January 23, 2021. Mesa, AZ.
Early and Important Pair of Roy Rogers’ C.P. Shipley Boots
The earliest known pair of Roy Roger's show boots, dating from the 1930s. Labeled C.P. Shipley, the famed saddle company of Kansas City, Missouri, these fancy boots, with scalloped top are inlaid with hearts and have an overlaid wing tip style. Marked C. P. Shipley on the inside cloth pulls. 10 1/2" long & 12 1/2" tall.
Provenance: Includes Certificates of Authenticity signed by Dusty Rogers. Lot 235 of the 2002 High Noon Auction of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Estate items.
EX: Boyd Magers Collection.
Lot 284, Sold $7,080.
Brian Lebel's Mesa Old West Auction - January 23, 2021. Mesa, AZ.
John Estrada's magnum opus, this artistically executed and exquisitely detailed inlaid and overlaid spade bit with rein chains is maker-marked “G S S CO WINNEMUCCA NEV / J E” and features impressive and oversized 3" domed, rope-edged conchos with engraved horseheads surrounded by 32 raised and perfectly spaced silver spots. The sweeping open cheeks and elaborate lip bar further illustrate Estrada's creativity and multiple skill set rarely matched by other makers of that early period. Outstanding condition, circa 1910.
Provenance: From the Estate of Roger Wilmot.
Lot 413, Sold $22,420.
Brian Lebel's Mesa Old West Auction - January 23, 2021. Mesa, AZ.
Over 10 feet long, this full size, production-used kayak is traditionally constructed of sealskin and sinew over a wood frame. 2 remnants of lash straps with antler fittings included. 10’5” long. Some damage to front, but overall in good condition. Used in the 1933 film “Eskimo,” the kayak became the property of film star Wallace Beery after he spied the craft in storage in the MGM Heidelberg Wardrobe Building. Beery liked it so much he had the kayak moved to his bungalow on the MGM lot, and procured it as his own.
The motion picture was well received by critics upon release, and received the first-ever Oscar for Best Film Editing, although it didn't fare well at the box office. Though some aspects of it would seem politically incorrect by today’s standards, "Eskimo" was considered a remarkable achievement in film-making and is much beloved in many circles.
Provenance: From the Estate of film star Wallace Beery (1885-1949) through the estate of his nephew Noah Beery, Jr. Includes signed letter from Bucklind Noah Beery (grand nephew of Wallace Beery).
Lot 1, Sold $4,840.
Brian Lebel's Mesa Old West Auction - January 23, 2021. Mesa, AZ.
Eskimo – Metro Goldwyn Mayor
“From the director of “Trader Horn” and “Tarzan the Ape Man” comes this riveting Arctic adventure, the first feature film shot in Alaska and in a Native American tongue. When Mala (Ray Mala) is told there's a White Man's boat harbored in Tjarnak that will barter furs for guns, the Inuk makes the 500-mile trek across the tundra accompanied by his woman, Aba (Lulu Wong Wing). Trading his skins for a rifle, Mala goes out on a hunt, returning to learn Aba was killed while escaping the ship's lecherous captain (Peter Freuchen). Stabbing him dead, Mala goes home, unaware he's broken the White Man's law and that the Mounties are tracking him down. Based on two books by Peter Freuchen, the Danish explorer who plays the role of the captain, Eskimo also featured director W.S. Van Dyke doubling as Inspector White and received the 1934 Film Editing Oscar®, the first ever awarded.” --Warner Bros Archive Collection, 2016
Review: “Drama of the Frozen North” - By Mordaunt Hall, Nov. 15, 1933
“It is an exciting and often grim melodrama that Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer launched last night at the Astor under the title of "Eskimo." It was produced by W. S. Van Dyke in Northern Alaska with a cast composed chiefly of Eskimos, and the dialogue, which except for occasional lines spoken by white men, is recorded in the language of the natives and translated for the benefit of the audience by the old-fashioned subtitles. The various incidents are greatly enhanced by the recording of vocal and incidental sounds and noises. The story of the picture is attributed to two books by Peter Freuchen, who also portrays a villainous captain of a trading ship. Mr. Freuchen was among the audience...” --The New York Times, November 15, 1933.
The iconic 10 button bib front shirt worn by Wayne in "The Searchers" (1956), Complete with Wayne's original screen worn neckerchief. Sewn-in Western Costume Co. label: "11-2107-2 / John Wayne / Chest 46 / Sleeve Ch. #5", with WCC stamps.
More than just a John Wayne and John Ford collaboration, “The Searchers” is widely regarded to be one of the greatest Westerns of all time. Directed by John Ford, starring Wayne as Ethan Edwards along with Natalie Wood, Jeffery Hunter and Vera Miles.
"John Ford's “The Searchers” contains scenes of magnificence, and one of John Wayne's best performances. There are shots that are astonishingly beautiful. A cover story in New York magazine called it the most influential movie in American history… Ethan Edwards, fierce, alone, a defeated soldier with no role in peacetime, is one of the most compelling characters Ford and Wayne ever created (they worked together on 14 films)." --Roger Ebert
Included in the lot is an original promotional photo of Wayne wearing the shirt.
Lot 280, Sold $23,600.
Brian Lebel's Mesa Old West Auction - January 23, 2021. Mesa, AZ.
S/N 155011, .44 caliber, 34 inch barrel Sharps Model 1874 No. 1 Creedmoor. Blue and case color finish, walnut pistol grip checkered, shotgun butt stock, walnut checkered forearm, Vernier tang sight and wind gauge front sight. Sharps letter states sent to H.T. Hansen of Helena, M.T. circa 1875. Condition: excellent bright bore, 95% original barrel blue, 90% receiver case colors fading slightly, pistol grip has crack at heal, remaining wood excellent, Vernier tang sight numbered to rifle, excellent mechanically, excellent marks.
This was 1 of 3 Sharps Creedmoor rifles known to have been sent to Samuel Hauser, in Helena. He and his good friend, Granville Stewart, were set to have a shooting contest, so Hauser ordered 3 (noted in included Sharps letter). This gun was among them. Samuel Hauser was a famous early Montana pioneer, miner, banker, and went on the 1870 Washburn-Langford-Doan expedition to Yellowstone. His lobbying efforts later helped with the creation of Yellowstone National Park. He was the first territorial governor of Montana Territory in 1885. Hauser was also a Vigilante.
Includes Sharps letter and correspondence with Mr. W.S. Peace regarding his research.
Provenance: From the Montana History Collection of Jerry "Buzz" Nyhart.
Lot 94, Sold $53,100.
Brian Lebel's Mesa Old West Auction - January 23, 2021. Mesa, AZ.
A showy yet understated, 1930s silver mounted saddle, with Bohlin martingale, bridle and bit, which originally belonged to Clark Gable, and also has fantastic Edward Bohlin history.
Brown, floral carved, maker-marked saddle, by the historic Southern California saddlery of Lichtenberger-Ferguson based in Los Angeles. Clark Gable brought the saddle to Bohlin’s shop to be silvered. The saddle features both floral and pattern stamping, and has been enhanced with a skillfully engraved sterling silver Cheyenne roll cantle cover. There are multiple silver domes down the side of the fenders and along the perimeter of the skirts, and also down both sides of the strikingly long and dramatic monkey-nose tapaderos. Additional embellishments include intricately engraved silver swell caps, and multiple engraved slotted silver conchos with raised rope edges. Edward H. Bohlin, Hollywood, silver trimmings and accessories are quite prevalent including multiple Bohlinmade and marked conchos and buckles.
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.
Movie-used Winchester carbine, with John Wayne’s special enlarged signature lever loop and shortened barrel, which enabled him to “flip” the carbine one-handed so he could load it while on horseback. A signature Duke move. Universal Studios requested that Stembridge gather the same guns Wayne used in “True Grit” (1969) when filming the sequel “Rooster Cogburn” (1975).
S/N S1015 (Stembridge Gun Rentals), .44-40 caliber, Winchester 1892 carbine. Shortened barrel, blue finish, walnut stock and forearm, updated barrel sight, large lever loop. Stembridge “S” on receiver and forearm. Condition: bore is not a factor, clean deep blue on receiver and barrel, touches of blue on lever, mechanically very good.
Includes copies of 2 Stembridge Gun Rentals invoices from “Rooster Cogburn”. Also includes a signed statement from Christopher Hearn regarding history, and a card from the old “Hollywood Gun Rentals” display.
Lot 317, Sold $88,500.
Brian Lebel's Mesa Old West Auction - January 23, 2021. Mesa, AZ.
Henry Repeating Rifle. S/N 10587, .44 rimfire, 24 inch barrel, Henry Repeating Rifle. Blue and brass finish with walnut stocks, original sights, original iron cleaning rod in butt, circa 1865. In fantastic condition. This exhibits the infamous Henry bump and is an original non-swivel rifle. Condition: A truly remarkable rifle. Excellent bright bore, 90% original barrel blue (thinning slightly), smooth golden untouched brass, gun metal grey lever and hammer, excellent stock with minor use dings, iron cleaning rod.
The model for the American Winchester, “Flayderman’s Guide” states: “…Made in relatively limited quantities, and a revolutionary weapon in Civil War service, the Henry is one of the major collector’s items in the entire Winchester field.”
Sold $70,800.
Lot 543, Brian Lebel's Mesa Old West Auction - January 25, 2020. Mesa, AZ.
Factory Engraved, Colt Model 1860 Army Revolver. S/N 154301/E, .44 caliber, 8 inch barrel, Colt Model 1860 Army Revolver. Cylinder, loading lever, and hammer are all gold plated; all other metal surfaces finished in silver. 1-piece ivory grips, circa 1865. Engraved in the late percussion vine style scroll. Complete with case containing correct accoutrements. Case (with key) and contents are all in very good condition.
Condition: excellent bore, 70% gold on loading lever, 10 % on cylinder, 50% on hammer; 90% silver plate overall, excellent grips, excellent mechanically, excellent engraving. Fire blue screws. Literature: Pictured in “The Book of Colt Engraving,” by R.L. Wilson. The original (framed) photograph that was taken for the book is included in the lot, as is Cordy’s copy of the book. Also pictured in the book “The William M. Locke Collection” by Frank Sellers.
Sold $47,200.
Lot 83, The Cordy Rich Collection of Antique American Firearms - January 24, 2020. Mesa, AZ.
Jesus M. Tapia (1856 - 1931) Filigreed Spurs. Exceedingly rare, artfully floral engraved, dropshank, silver inlaid, filigreed, twin harp and twisted rope pattern 1900s Southern California spurs with chased off-side and classic vaquero heel chains hanging from engraved swingers. Spurs exhibit all the classic Tapia characteristics including the telltale nesting bird design at the base of each heelband and his 12-point spoked rowel. Spurs affixed to two-piece, floral carved leathers with high domed and scalloped engraved period conchos. Fine, original condition, circa 1910.
Arguably the most coveted and valued of all the early California bit and spur makers, Jesus Tapia, was renowned for the elegance and grace of his pieces which frequently included very stylized iron work, tendrils and the elegant and artistry of filigree. Tapia's work was seldom marked but his style and quality were so distinctive that most advanced California spurs collectors have little trouble identifying the few pieces that do come to market.
Sold $29,500.
Lot 569, Brian Lebel's Mesa Old West Auction - January 25, 2020. Mesa, AZ.
Dale Harwood 1999 TCAA Exhibition Saddle. From the very first TCAA exhibition in September of 1999 at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, this saddle is a masterpiece of saddle maker’s art. Built on a 15” Wade tree, 7/8 double flat plate rigging, 4” cantle with Cheyenne roll, full tame-rose carving, sterling silver horn cap, conchos and stirrup bolts hand-engraved by Harwood. Hand engraved silver maker's plate on seat reads "DALE HARWOOD / MAKER TCA (logo) / SHELLEY, IDAHO".
EX: Roy Andersen Collection.
Literature: Pictured in "Cowboy Renaissance: The Traditional Cowboy Arts Association," by A. J. Mangum, page 24.
Sold $26,550.
Lot 501, Brian Lebel's Mesa Old West Auction - January 25, 2020. Mesa, AZ.
A Rare John Cox Canon City Prison Pistol Bit. A fantastic high-finish revolver bit, clearly stamped inside with Cox's prisoner number 4307. Engraved in "The Style" with star and diamond motif, inlaid abalone grips (one replaced) and swinging chain hangers. Detailed in every way including visible cartridge heads. 7 1/2" overall with a 5" low curb mouth. Includes a custom display stand.
John Cox (died 1940)
Cox was incarcerated for the second time in the Colorado State Penitentiary for murder and issued #4307. He had killed a friend in an argument about a pool game at the Calls Saloon in Altman, Colorado in 1897. Around 1909 the warden of the State Prison, Thomas J. Tynan started to put the prisoners to work and encouraged the inmates to make handicrafts, this was when Cox was to become its premier bit and spur maker. His work is highly sought-after and seldom found. This bit made in the early part of the 1900s shows the detail and precise workmanship that gave Cox his notoriety. Shown on page 131 of Cowboy Culture by Michael Friedman.
Sold $23,600.
Lot 557, Brian Lebel's Mesa Old West Auction - January 25, 2020. Mesa, AZ.
