Denver Old West Auction

Auction Details

The only known photograph of Billy the Kid (the “Upham tintype”), a signed and numbered serigraph from Andy Warhol’s "Cowboys and Indians" series, and an extensive collection of new-to-market Buffalo Bill and Wild West memorabilia are among the highlights at Brian Lebel’s 22nd annual Old West Auction, June 25, 5pm at the Denver Merchandise Mart.

The 130-year old tintype of Billy the Kid is the only authenticated photograph of The Kid known to exist, and is widely regarded as the most important photograph of the American West. Extensively studied and documented, the photograph is nearly as famous as its infamous subject. A tintype of Billy’s friend, Dan Dedrick (to whom Billy gave his tintype), is included in the lot, along with other photos and letters from the Dedrick family and their descendants. Another piece of history can be found in J.A. Garrett’s Colt Single Action, which has documentation linking it to the Johnson County War.

Fine Western art at this year’s sale includes an important Edward Borein watercolor, "California Vaquero", from the estate of noted Borein collector Katherine Haley. A rare, unpublished Will James watercolor will be offered, as well as a number of 1st edition Will James books with original drawings and signatures. The Old West Auction will offer its first ever Andy Warhol, the 1986 Mother and Child, signed and numbered "TP 18/36". Other Western artists to be offered include Harry Jackson, Will Crawford, Nick Eggenhofer, Ross Stefan, Eric Michaels, Remington Schuyler, Joe Beeler and Ralph Lillywhite.

The personal collection of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West performer, Jordan Cottle will be offered for the first time, and includes a hand-drawn, hand signed, banner with original signatures from such noted Wild West performers as W.F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody, Annie Oakley, Frank Butler, Johnny Baker and others. One of W.F. Cody’s personal pocket watches is for sale, as are original copies of the (unconsummated) divorce proceedings from his wife, Louisa Cody, in which a witness accuses her of trying to poison her famous husband.

Fine saddles, spurs, bits, bridles and other cowboy items from noted names such as Bohlin, Visalia, Ortega, and Buermann will be offered. Native American artifacts for sale include a beaded Omaha man’s warshirt, pipe bags, Navajo textiles, parfleche items and Apache baskets. Hollywood cowboy items include a John Wayne movie hat and “The Lone Ranger,” Clayton Moore’s Colt Single Actions.

A full color catalog is available for purchase, and Internet, phone and absentee bidding are available. The live auction is held in conjunction with the 22nd annual Old West Show, an expo-style sale with 200 national dealers in Western antiques, art and merchandise. General admission to the Show is $5 and early buy-in is available.
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Edward H. Bohlin, Hollywood, California Texas Star Parade Spurs100 - Edward H. Bohlin, Hollywood, California Texas Star Parade Spurs
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Fully mounted solid sterling silver parade spurs with three Texas stars on each heelband, twisted rope edge, 2 1/4” cookie cutter rowels with engraved
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 3,000.00 - 4,000.00
Sold to floor for (2,700.00) = 2,700.00
 
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Edward H. Bohlin Parade Spurs101 - Edward H. Bohlin Parade Spurs
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Multiple maker-marked Edward H. Bohlin / Hollywood / CA full-mounted sterling and 14K gold parade spurs with 2 1/4” cookie cutter rowels adorned with
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 3,000.00 - 4,000.00
Sold to floor for (3,800.00) = 3,800.00
 
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Edward H. Bohlin Gun Rig102 - Edward H. Bohlin Gun Rig
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Early belt and holster with floral tooling and high relief 3-piece buckle set of sterling and 10K gold. Football shaped Bohlinmade marks and set of la
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 2,500.00 - 3,500.00
Sold to floor for (900.00) = 900.00
 
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Edward H. Bohlin, Hollywood, California Filigreed Double-Gun Rig103 - Edward H. Bohlin, Hollywood, California Filigreed Double-Gun Rig
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Buscadero double-gun rig. Maker-marked and stamped on the back of the belt and both holsters. Gold foil background on the belt, silver background on t
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 5,000.00 - 7,000.00
Sold to buckles*com for (1,600.00 + 320.00BP) = 1,920.00
 
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Edward H. Bohlin Quick Draw Gun Rig104 - Edward H. Bohlin Quick Draw Gun Rig
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Two-tone brown full floral carved buscadero rig Belt has .45 cal. cartridge loops, holster fits Colt Single Action 4 3/4” revolver. Small 1950s-60 Boh
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,500.00 - 2,500.00
Sold to floor for (1,100.00) = 1,100.00
 
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Edward H. Bohlin, Hollywood, California Parade Spurs105 - Edward H. Bohlin, Hollywood, California Parade Spurs
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Fully mounted, Edward H. Bohlin Hollywood, Calif (shield cartouche) maker-mark sterling silver parade spurs with gold diamond on the 3/4” wide heelban
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 3,000.00 - 4,000.00
Sold to floor for (3,600.00) = 3,600.00
 
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Edward H. Bohlin, Hollywood, California Brown Saddle106 - Edward H. Bohlin, Hollywood, California Brown Saddle
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
14 1/2“ seat, floral carved, 18” long tapaderos, 3” swells, round skirts, original horsehair cinch, California braided rawhide reata. Cheyenne roll, r
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 2,500.00 - 4,000.00
Sold to floor for (2,200.00) = 2,200.00
 
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Edward H. Bohlin, Hollywood, Calif Sheriff’s Saddle107 - Edward H. Bohlin, Hollywood, Calif Sheriff’s Saddle
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Fine flower tooled brown saddle with silver horn cap engraved for Dr. Elmer T. Jaffe and overlaid with a 1 1/4” gold and enameled star Deputy Sheriff
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 2,000.00 - 3,000.00
Sold to floor for (1,100.00) = 1,100.00
 
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Edward H. Bohlin Diamond Belt & Buckle108 - Edward H. Bohlin Diamond Belt & Buckle
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Size 38-40 (measuring approx 44” overall), Edward H. Bohlin Hollywood maker-marked black diamond belt with 3-piece, one-inch sterling ranger set. Exce
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 2,000.00 - 3,000.00
Sold to floor for (2,500.00) = 2,500.00
 
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Edward H. Bohlin Filigreed Longhorn Buckle109 - Edward H. Bohlin Filigreed Longhorn Buckle
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Sterling & 18K three-color gold, 3 1/2” oval filigreed Bohlin, Hollywood maker-marked trophy buckle with gold longhorn. Green, pink and yellow g...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 3,000.00 - 4,000.00
Sold to floor for (1,600.00) = 1,600.00
 
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Silver Bohlin Buckle with Lapis on Seidel Belt110 - Silver Bohlin Buckle with Lapis on Seidel Belt
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Heavy gauge sterling silver 1-inch, 3-piece, Edward H. Bohlin / Hollywood maker-marked, mounted with blue lapis lazuli on raised flowers. The belt is
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 800.00 - 1,200.00
Sold to floor for (2,200.00) = 2,200.00
 
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21 Club Bohlinmade Belt with Edward Bohlin Buckle Set111 - 21 Club Bohlinmade Belt with Edward Bohlin Buckle Set
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Child or youth size 25” belt adorned with gold 21 Club round conchos and 21 Club gold gates. These are the same ornaments that were mounted on Jack Kr
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,500.00 - 2,000.00
Sold to buckles*com for (4,750.00 + 950.00BP) = 5,700.00
 
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The Lone Ranger Bohlin Gun Rig112 - The Lone Ranger Bohlin Gun Rig
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
From the renowned Seidel Saddlery in Cody, Wyoming comes this 1990’s precision Bohlin sanctioned replica of the iconic “Lone Ranger” Gun Rig as used b
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 4,000.00 - 5,000.00
Sold to floor for (3,500.00) = 3,500.00
 
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Clayton Moore Lone Ranger Guns113 - Clayton Moore Lone Ranger Guns
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
A pair of Colt Custom Shop Single Action Army revolvers ordered engraved on the silver inlaid backstrap Clayton Moore The Lone Ranger and serial numbe
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 5,000.00 - 7,500.00
Sold to floor for (9,000.00) = 9,000.00
 
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Northern Plains Rifle Case114 - Northern Plains Rifle Case
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Beaded with fringe and carrying strap. Left side has pumpkin beads on blue field with red, yellow and green bead sections. Right side has yellow, gree
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 4,000.00 - 5,000.00
Sold to floor for (6,000.00) = 6,000.00
 
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Beaded Sword Case with Sword115 - Beaded Sword Case with Sword
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
42” upper Missouri beaded case, most likely the work of the Two Kettle Sioux. Made from issued commercial chamois with added bands of quillwork, beads
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 7,000.00 - 9,000.00
Sold to floor for (5,000.00) = 5,000.00
 
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Sioux Dress116 - Sioux Dress
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Beaded yoke with fine fringe. Red, white, yellow, green, dark blue beads on a medium blue field. Original bottom and a line of beadwork on base. Some
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 2,000.00 - 3,000.00
Sold to floor for (4,000.00) = 4,000.00
 
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Cheyenne High-Top Moccasins117 - Cheyenne High-Top Moccasins
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Geometric and bug design, 22” tall to the fold. Parfleche soles, c. 1880s.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 3,000.00 - 4,000.00
Sold to floor for (3,250.00) = 3,250.00
 
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2 pair of Northern Plains Beaded Moccasins118 - 2 pair of Northern Plains Beaded Moccasins
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
a) 10” long, multicolored geometric design with red buffalo tracks on white. Tab style tongues with tin cones at tips and split. Native tanned hide, h
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 900.00 - 1,200.00
Sold to floor for (2,000.00) = 2,000.00
 
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Sioux Beaded Vest119 - Sioux Beaded Vest
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
16” x 16 1/4” multicolored geometric designs on commercial tanned hide with trade cloth lining, fair condition showing some bead loss, c. 1890s.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 1,500.00
Sold to floor for (2,100.00) = 2,100.00
 
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Nez Perce Bear Claw Necklace120 - Nez Perce Bear Claw Necklace
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
On collection tag: Belonged to Chief Moses. 27 bear claws strung with double row of native tanned hide with blue cobalt trade beads. Graduated claws f
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 4,000.00 - 6,000.00
Sold to floor for (9,500.00) = 9,500.00
 
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Blackfeet Beaded and Fringed Leggings121 - Blackfeet Beaded and Fringed Leggings
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
29” total length with 3” X 22” multicolored curvilinear designs on white background strips and great *” long fringe at the sides all on native tanned
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,500.00 - 2,000.00
Sold to floor for (900.00) = 900.00
 
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Three Pair of Sioux Beaded Moccasins122 - Three Pair of Sioux Beaded Moccasins
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
a) 9” long with bright chevrons on a green background, b) 11” long with bifurcated tongue, c) 10” long, with checked design. All on native tanned hide
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,200.00 - 1,800.00
Sold to windrose for (1,900.00 + 380.00BP) = 2,280.00
 
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2 Pair of Vintage Beaded Gauntlets123 - 2 Pair of Vintage Beaded Gauntlets
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
a) Northern Plateau, fringed with multicolored floral beadwork on native tanned hide. Fine condition, c. 1930s; b) Warm Springs, fringed with tube bea
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 900.00 - 1,200.00
Sold to floor for (900.00) = 900.00
 
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Plains Crow Beaded Gauntlets124 - Plains Crow Beaded Gauntlets
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Fully beaded 8” x 9 1/2” cuffs with flowers and leaves on a white background. 8” fringe, hands beaded in similar design, excellent condition, c. 1920s
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 2,000.00 - 2,500.00
Sold to floor for (800.00) = 800.00
 
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Northern Plains Pictorial Pipe Bag125 - Northern Plains Pictorial Pipe Bag
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Light blue, dark blue, red, green and yellow on white field. Crow warrior with hair drop on front, mounted on blue horse. Back side has warrior in ful
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 6,000.00 - 9,000.00
Sold to floor for (6,750.00) = 6,750.00
 
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Crow Polychrome Parfleche Cylinder126 - Crow Polychrome Parfleche Cylinder
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Bonnet case or container, with long fringe on side and bottom. Bold geometric devices in bright colors on native tanned hide. 19” long, fringe 41” lon
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 2,500.00 - 3,500.00
Sold to floor for (5,000.00) = 5,000.00
 
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Omaha Man’s Shirt127 - Omaha Man’s Shirt
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Multicolored beaded strips across shoulders and down each arm with teepee and geometric patterns in yellow, pink, green and red on white background. B
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 6,000.00 - 9,000.00
Sold to floor for (7,000.00) = 7,000.00
 
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Sioux American Flag Beaded Vest128 - Sioux American Flag Beaded Vest
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
22” x 17” multicolored geometric designs and American Flags on a white field. Fringed at the base, on native tanned hide. Fine condition, c. 1890.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 4,000.00 - 6,000.00
Sold to floor for (2,400.00) = 2,400.00
 
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Kiowa Beaded Doll Cradle129 - Kiowa Beaded Doll Cradle
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
21” x 7” loom-woven beadwork on old canvas attached to period tacked boards. Fine condition, c. 1910.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 2,500.00 - 3,500.00
Sold to floor for (1,600.00) = 1,600.00
 
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Lakota Sioux Moccasins130 - Lakota Sioux Moccasins
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Fully quilled uppers with quilled border and soles. Red wool at the seam of the vamp, with indigo dyed cloth binding at top. Fine condition, with slig
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 2,000.00 - 3,000.00
Sold to floor for (2,400.00) = 2,400.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Lakota Sioux Beaded and Fringed Dress131 - Lakota Sioux Beaded and Fringed Dress
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
57” x 48” fully beaded yoke in yellow, red, white, green, dark blue, on a light blue field with original bottom. Line beaded across base with fringe o
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 5,000.00 - 8,000.00
Sold to floor for (7,500.00) = 7,500.00
 
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Kiowa Young Girl’s Cowrie Shell Dress132 - Kiowa Young Girl’s Cowrie Shell Dress
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Early 1st quarter 20th century dress with 6 rows of shells, early green bead drops and some typical later bead drops. Fringe across yoke and sides. La
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 4,500.00 - 5,500.00
Sold to floor for (1,500.00) = 1,500.00
 
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Crow Horse Doctor’s Coat133 - Crow Horse Doctor’s Coat
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Frock coat style with split tail and otter trim. Fringed edges, center and floral beading on thick hide, lined with trade wool. Braided 16” horsehair
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 7,000.00 - 9,000.00
Sold to floor for (14,000.00) = 14,000.00
 
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Circa 1880s Doll Cradleboard134 - Circa 1880s Doll Cradleboard
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Ute/Shoshone toy cradleboard, 18” x 8 1/2” body with 4” fringe on bottom, and 8” fringe on back. Greasy blue, pony trader blue, yellow, red white-hear
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 7,000.00 - 9,000.00
Sold to floor for (5,750.00) = 5,750.00
 
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Yankton Sioux Doll Cradle135 - Yankton Sioux Doll Cradle
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Cradle with white beaded background, spider hole designs of red white-heart, yellow and blue beads on buffalo hide. Painted parfleche on back, 15” x 4
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 6,000.00 - 7,000.00
Sold to floor for (4,250.00) = 4,250.00
 
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Fully Beaded Moccasins136 - Fully Beaded Moccasins
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Lakota Sioux, 10” long, brain tanned hide with fully beaded bottoms in a checkerboard pattern with rolled beaded edges. Fine condition, c. 1900.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 2,000.00 - 2,500.00
Sold to floor for (3,500.00) = 3,500.00
 
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Kissing Bird Bit from Buffalo Bill's Wild West137 - Kissing Bird Bit from Buffalo Bill's Wild West
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Kissing Bird bit with large domed conchos on cheeks. Bit comes with the original large 4” Mexican Eagle with snake plate conchos, engraved JBC sterlin
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 3,000.00 - 5,000.00
Sold to floor for (2,800.00) = 2,800.00
 
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Marion Cottle's California-Style Spurs138 - Marion Cottle's California-Style Spurs
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Very fine California style spurs belonging to Cottle’s wife Marion. These appear to be by L.D. Stone or Main & Winchester, one of the many San F...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 3,000.00 - 5,000.00
Sold to floor for (2,250.00) = 2,250.00
 
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Jordan B. Cottle – Buffalo Bill’s Wild West139 - Jordan B. Cottle – Buffalo Bill’s Wild West
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
California “Dandy” pattern spurs with Cottle’s original 2” conchos with his monogram hand engraved J.B.C. Excellent condition with full silver inlay,
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 3,000.00 - 5,000.00
Sold to floor for (5,000.00) = 5,000.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Jordan B. Cottle - Buffalo Bill’s Wild West140 - Jordan B. Cottle - Buffalo Bill’s Wild West
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Tapia or Hernandez, very large bit with spread eagle cheeks, large 3” domes with engraved Rocking TUF brand, brand also on domed slobber bar. Sold wit
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 4,000.00 - 6,000.00
Sold to floor for (5,000.00) = 5,000.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Miscellaneous Memorabilia, Cottle Collection141 - Miscellaneous Memorabilia, Cottle Collection
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
a) Brass Gaucho buckle with chains, Republica Argentina coins, 1889, 1890, 1891, 1892 and stars; b) Columbian Half Dollar, 1893; c) Florida Sub Tropic
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 2,000.00
Sold to floor for (900.00) = 900.00
 
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Fantastic Collection of Hand Painted Dinnerware142 - Fantastic Collection of Hand Painted Dinnerware
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
The Cottle’s personal china includes: Six, 10 1/4” dinner plates Wamblee Tepee in center with colorful feather headdress Lelah Washta Acola across edg
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 1,800.00
Sold to floor for (2,600.00) = 2,600.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Photographs and Images from Cottle Collection143 - Photographs and Images from Cottle Collection
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Photographs of William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody and others. a) Image of Jordan Cottle and Cody in a car in front of Cottle’s Chicago home. Image 6” x 8”
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,500.00 - 2,500.00
Sold to floor for (1,300.00) = 1,300.00
 
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Assorted Items and Ephemera144 - Assorted Items and Ephemera
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
a) Cottle’s Wild West suspension badge Buffalo Bill’s Wild West – 1900 – The Wild Bunch, missing the central buffalo head; b) An 1899 Program, Greater
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 900.00 - 1,400.00
Sold to floor for (2,100.00) = 2,100.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Miscellaneous Memorabilia, Cottle Collection145 - Miscellaneous Memorabilia, Cottle Collection
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
a) Tintype photo of Marion Cottle, Jordan’s wife, 3 1/2” x 2 1/2” Mrs. Cottle wearing her white wooly chaps, hat and silk scarf; b) Silk scarf, buckin
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 800.00 - 1,400.00
Sold to floor for (400.00) = 400.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Photos and Images from Cottle Collection146 - Photos and Images from Cottle Collection
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Photos and miscellaneous from Cottle’s collection; a) Trimmed cabinet card of Buffalo Bill Cody and Chief Joseph, image intact and extremely scarce. N
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 2,500.00 - 3,500.00
Sold to pilot*west for (1,000.00 + 200.00BP) = 1,200.00
 
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Colt Double Action Revolver Model 1878*147 - Colt Double Action Revolver Model 1878*
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Cottle’s personal 7 1/2”, .44 cal. “Colt Frontier Six-Shooter” with carved steerhead pearl grips. Inscribed on the backstrap J.B. Cottle – From His Fr
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 10,000.00 - 20,000.00
Sold to floor for (23,000.00) = 23,000.00
 
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Beaded Hide Scout Shirt148 - Beaded Hide Scout Shirt
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Used by Cottle in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West with the UF brand beaded onto the sleeves. Pinked edges, beads on collar, pockets, and front. Pullover styl
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 2,000.00 - 3,000.00
Sold to floor for (1,100.00) = 1,100.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Photograph - The Wild Bunch, Buffalo Bill's Wild West, 1900149 - Photograph - The Wild Bunch, Buffalo Bill's Wild West, 1900
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Spectacular photograph of “The Wild Bunch – 1900” of “Buffalo Bill’s Wild West” all identified below with J. B. Cottle seated at left. Image is 11” x
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 2,000.00 - 4,000.00
Sold to floor for (15,000.00) = 15,000.00
 
Details...Bookmark