Denver Old West Auction

Auction Details

Brian Lebel's 23rd Annual Old West Auction will offer 418 lots of fine Western art, antiques, artifacts and collectibles from the 19th through the 21st centuries. The auction will be held live at the Denver Merchandise Mart on Saturday, June 23, 2012 at 5pm Mountain time. Some highlights of this year's auction include:

A rare Reward Poster for the arrest of the infamous brothers Frank and Jesse James; a Parker Shotgun that belonged to Frank Butler of Buffalo Bill's Wild West fame; a rare Taber cabinet card of the most famous stagecoach robber of all time, Black Bart; a performance-used Buffalo Bill's Wild West parade flag; a pair of Borein watercolors; original Molesworth furniture and an oil painting by F. Mizen of Wyatt Earp.

The auction also includes antique and historic firearms, Native American art and artifacts, 19th century photography, Western fine art, advertising lithos, saloon and gambling items, spurs, saddles, bits, bridles, boots, books and more.

Fine art offerings include notable deceased and contemporary artists such as Edward Borein, Charlie Russel, Glenna Goodacre, John Banovich, Nick Eggenhofer, Fritz Scholder, Carl Oscar Borg, Dave Powell, Ace Powell, Mehl Lawson, ADM Cooper, Ross Steffan, Gary Niblett, Nicholas Firfires, Raphael Lillywhite, Olaf Seltzer, WHD Koerner, Robert Elwell, Bob Scriver, Eric Michaels, William Acheff, and Gary Earnest Smith.

Cowboy artists and craftsmen include Bill Adamson, Ed Bohlin, GS Garcia, Mario Hanel, Gary Keithly, Kelly Bros., McChesney, Schnitger, Shipley, Chas Weldon, Tad Mizwa and others.

Fine Native American arts and artifacts include beadwork, textiles, baskets, pottery, and quillwork from the 19th and 20th centuries.

Roy Rogers' boots, John Wayne's Nudies hat, Dale Evans' dresses, Tom Mix's hat and Montie Montana's gun are among the "Hollywood Cowboy" offerings. A gold guitar pin given as a gift and inscribed by Elvis is also being sold, as is a personal photo album that belonged to Zane Grey.

Over 200 original photographs from Buffalo Bill's Wild West will be sold (individually and in lots), along with an impressive selection of 19th and early 20th century American photographs.

Historic firearms include train robber Bill Carlisle's revolver, a large collection of early Deringers, a rare and early air gun, a Sharps Buffalo Rifle, and other antique, modern and relic guns.
Raphael Lillywhite305Raphael Lillywhite
Aspen Glade Oil on canvas 30” x 24” in original artist’s frame Signed lower left
Start Price : 1,500.00 | Estimates : 3,000.00 - 4,000.00
Sold to floor for (300.00 + 63.00) x 1 = 363.00
Herbert M. Hergret (1885-1950)306Herbert M. Hergret (1885-1950)
The Warrior 9 1/4” x 7” Framed to 18 1/2” x 16 1/4” Gouache Signed lower left
Start Price : 1,000.00 | Estimates : 2,000.00 - 3,000.00
Sold to floor for (400.00 + 84.00) x 1 = 484.00
Dave Powell CA (b. 1954)307Dave Powell CA (b. 1954)
All over but the Cryin’ 6” x 4 1/2” Framed to 10 3/4” x 11 1/2” Watercolor on paper Signed lower left Dave Powell CA
Start Price : 300.00 | Estimates : 600.00 - 800.00
Sold to floor for (200.00 + 42.00) x 1 = 242.00
Ace Powell (1912-1978)308Ace Powell (1912-1978)
Untitled but very similar to A Camp for All 14” x 20” Framed to 17 1/2” x 23 1/2” Oil on canvas Signed lower left Powell with Ace
Start Price : 500.00 | Estimates : 1,000.00 - 1,500.00
Sold to floor for (1,600.00 + 336.00) x 1 = 1,936.00
Ace Powell (1912-1978)309Ace Powell (1912-1978)
Two Watercolors: Mounted with Buffalo Horn Bonnet Sod Roof Cabin 7 1/2” x 9 1/2” each Framed 12 1/2” x 14 1/2” Signed lower right Powell with Ace
Start Price : 400.00 | Estimates : 800.00 - 1,200.00
Sold to nickl3022184 for (600.00 + 126.00) x 1 = 726.00
Ace Powell (1912-1978)310Ace Powell (1912-1978)
Indian Burial 14” x 18” Framed to 21” x 25” Oil on canvas Signed lower left with ace of diamonds
Start Price : 400.00 | Estimates : 800.00 - 1,200.00
Sold to floor for (900.00 + 189.00) x 1 = 1,089.00
Dave Powell CA (b. 1954)311Dave Powell CA (b. 1954)
Indian Portrait Watercolor on paper 8" x 6 1/2" Signed lower left with star Framed to 15 1/2" x 13 1/2"
Start Price : 300.00 | Estimates : 600.00 - 800.00
Sold to floor for (100.00 + 21.00) x 1 = 121.00
Dave Powell CA (b. 1954)312Dave Powell CA (b. 1954)
Laykota Warrior Watercolor on paper 4 1/2" x 6 1/2" Signed lower left with star Framed to 14" x 12"
Start Price : 250.00 | Estimates : 500.00 - 700.00
Sold to floor for (250.00 + 52.50) x 1 = 302.50
Harry Jackson (1924-2011)313Harry Jackson (1924-2011)
Sacagawea II Polychrome Painted Bronze 17 7/8" x 7 15/16" x 6 3/4" On 2 1/8" marble base Signed and dated in the bronze a...
Start Price : 1,000.00 | Estimates : 2,000.00 - 3,000.00
Sold to floor for (1,600.00 + 336.00) x 1 = 1,936.00
Luke Frazier314Luke Frazier
A Distant Bellowing 28” x 19 3/4” Framed to 26” x 34 1/4” Oil on board Signed, titled, and dated on reverse L. Frazier ‘95
Start Price : 1,000.00 | Estimates : 2,000.00 - 3,000.00
Sold to floor for (600.00 + 126.00) x 1 = 726.00
Luke Frazier315Luke Frazier
A Much Needed Fire 8” x 10” Framed to 13 1/4” x 15 1/4” Oil on board Signed, titled and dated on reverse L. Frazier ‘98
Start Price : 1,500.00 | Estimates : 3,000.00 - 4,000.00
Sold to floor for (1,500.00 + 315.00) x 1 = 1,815.00
Lucile Wilcox Joullin316Lucile Wilcox Joullin
Native American Decorating Pot 7 1/2” x 10 1/2” Framed to 17” x 20” Pastel on paper Signed lower right
Start Price : 500.00 | Estimates : 1,000.00 - 1,500.00
Sold to floor for (300.00 + 63.00) x 1 = 363.00
Heinie Hartwig (b. 1937)317Heinie Hartwig (b. 1937)
Jackson Hole, Teton Camp 20” x 30” Framed to 28” x 38” Oil on masonite Signed lower right and dated ‘71
Start Price : 750.00 | Estimates : 1,500.00 - 2,000.00
Sold to floor for (3,500.00 + 735.00) x 1 = 4,235.00
Nick Eggenhofer (1897-1985)318Nick Eggenhofer (1897-1985)
The Watchers 14” x 16” Framed to 23 1/2” x 25" Gouache on paper Signed lower right
Start Price : 750.00 | Estimates : 1,500.00 - 2,000.00
Sold to floor for (1,500.00 + 315.00) x 1 = 1,815.00
Nick Eggenhofer (1897-1985)319Nick Eggenhofer (1897-1985)
Pioneers 14” x 16” Framed to 23 1/2” x 25" Gouache on paper Signed lower right
Start Price : 750.00 | Estimates : 1,500.00 - 2,000.00
Sold to floor for (1,600.00 + 336.00) x 1 = 1,936.00
Robert A Winter320Robert A Winter
Native Charge 36” x 48” Oil on canvas Signed lower right Robert A. Winter
Start Price : 1,500.00 | Estimates : 3,000.00 - 4,000.00
Sold to floor for (1,300.00 + 273.00) x 1 = 1,573.00
A.D.M. Cooper (1856-1924)321A.D.M. Cooper (1856-1924)
Indians on the Prairie 22” x 18” Framed to 29” x 25” Mixed media Signed lower left, dated 1905
Start Price : 1,250.00 | Estimates : 2,500.00 - 3,500.00
Sold to floor for (4,250.00 + 892.50) x 1 = 5,142.50
Saloon Painting322Saloon Painting
Engaging oil on board of a red-headed beauty, the classic saloon nude. Unsigned, 14 1/4” x 10 1/2” image size in deep period frame. Some flaking of pa
Start Price : 500.00 | Estimates : 1,000.00 - 1,500.00
Sold to floor for (700.00 + 147.00) x 1 = 847.00
Nicholas Firfires323Nicholas Firfires
Steer Ropers in Trouble 28” x 37” Framed to 37” x 46” Oil on canvas Signed lower left
Start Price : 2,500.00 | Estimates : 5,000.00 - 7,000.00
Sold to floor for (2,500.00 + 525.00) x 1 = 3,025.00
Gary Niblett324Gary Niblett
Home For Supper 15” x 30” Oil on canvas Signed lower left G Niblett 74
Start Price : 1,000.00 | Estimates : 2,000.00 - 3,000.00
Sold to floor for (1,400.00 + 294.00) x 1 = 1,694.00
Robert Farrington Elwell (1874-1962)325Robert Farrington Elwell (1874-1962)
Wagons West 16” x 20” Pastel, oil, and conte crayon on paper Signed lower right
Start Price : 500.00 | Estimates : 1,000.00 - 1,500.00
Sold to floor for (200.00 + 42.00) x 1 = 242.00
Nick Eggenhofer (1897-1985)326Nick Eggenhofer (1897-1985)
Apache on Horseback with Trapdoor 16 1/2” x 13” Framed to 27” x 23” Mixed Media / Drybrush on paper Signed lower right / Dated ‘63
Start Price : 1,250.00 | Estimates : 2,500.00 - 3,000.00
Sold to floor for (1,300.00 + 273.00) x 1 = 1,573.00
David Manuel327David Manuel
His Heart Lay Wounded – Battle of Big Hole 17” x 12” x 17 1/4” tall not including base Bronze 20/20, 1978
Start Price : 1,250.00 | Estimates : 2,500.00 - 3,500.00
Sold to floor for (600.00 + 126.00) x 1 = 726.00
Bob Scriver328Bob Scriver
Calf in the Way 22” with wood base Bronze 33/150, 1981
Start Price : 750.00 | Estimates : 1,500.00 - 2,500.00
Sold to floor for (2,000.00 + 420.00) x 1 = 2,420.00
Mehl Lawson (b. 1942) CAA TCAA329Mehl Lawson (b. 1942) CAA TCAA
Comin’ at Ya 23 1/2” x 17” x 15” Bronze 9/35
Start Price : 750.00 | Estimates : 5,000.00 - 6,000.00
Sold to floor for (2,750.00 + 577.50) x 1 = 3,327.50
101 Ranch Wild West Lithograph Poster330101 Ranch Wild West Lithograph Poster
Miller Bros. & Arlington 101 Ranch Real Wild West Poster. “Riding, Wrestling With & Throwing Wild Steers by Genuine 101 Ranch Cowboys.” Copyright 1914
Start Price : 1,500.00 | Estimates : 3,000.00 - 4,000.00
Sold to floor for (3,000.00 + 630.00) x 1 = 3,630.00
Miller Bros. 101 Ranch Wild West Lot331Miller Bros. 101 Ranch Wild West Lot
a) Daily Review - Official Program 1929, 32 pages, browns and sepia, 8 3/4” x 5 1/2” Great cowgirl cover; b) Framed (shadow box style) “101 Ranch – Re
Start Price : 300.00 | Estimates : 600.00 - 800.00
Sold to floor for (1,100.00 + 231.00) x 1 = 1,331.00
Buffalo Bill Ephemera332Buffalo Bill Ephemera
a) Signed dinner program for the Showman’s League of America, March 15, 1913. 12” x 17”, 4 pages, framed to show all in two panels. Framed to 33 1/2”
Start Price : 750.00 | Estimates : 1,500.00 - 2,500.00
Sold to floor for (300.00 + 63.00) x 1 = 363.00
G. W. Lillie “Pawnee Bill”333G. W. Lillie “Pawnee Bill”
Signed typed letter on Pawnee Bill’s Oldtown, Pawnee Oklahoma stationary. Dated 1932, letter to Ken Maynard, star of film and the wild west. Matted an
Start Price : 250.00 | Estimates : 500.00 - 800.00
Sold to floor for (400.00 + 84.00) x 1 = 484.00
Pawnee Bill Ephemera334Pawnee Bill Ephemera
a) Very scarce, “Official Souvenir Program and History – Pawnee Bill’s Historic Wild West” – “20th Successful Season in America and European Countries
Start Price : 750.00 | Estimates : 1,500.00 - 2,500.00
Sold to floor for (750.00 + 157.50) x 1 = 907.50
William DeVeney Wild West Items335William DeVeney Wild West Items
Constantly mistaken for his good friend Buffalo Bill Cody, Bill DeVeney didn’t always walk away from the mistake. a) Bill’s beaded jacket, leather br
Start Price : 2,000.00 | Estimates : 4,000.00 - 6,000.00
Sold to floor for (5,500.00 + 1,155.00) x 1 = 6,655.00
Cabinet Cards of Buffalo Bill and Group of Indians336Cabinet Cards of Buffalo Bill and Group of Indians
a) Buffalo Bill, Stacy photographer on black mount. Crisp image of Cody in his dress buckskins 5” x 7”. Image is unmarked, and board has slight damage
Start Price : 500.00 | Estimates : 1,000.00 - 1,500.00
Sold to floor for (400.00 + 84.00) x 1 = 484.00
Nate Salsbury and Buffalo Bill Lot337Nate Salsbury and Buffalo Bill Lot
a) Calling card signed by Cody’s manager Nate Salsbury; b) Cut signature of Buffalo Bill signed “W.F. Cody / Buffalo Bill / Fort McPherson Neb” on le
Start Price : 500.00 | Estimates : 1,000.00 - 1,500.00
Sold to floor for (400.00 + 84.00) x 1 = 484.00
Annie Oakley & W. F. Cody ”Buffalo Bill” Autographs338Annie Oakley & W. F. Cody ”Buffalo Bill” Autographs
Hand signed in ink on Canadian Drug Co. – Agents for Ithaca Co. and Savage Arms Co. letterhead. Dated Mar. 2nd 1904. 2 1/4” x 5 7/8”.
Start Price : 500.00 | Estimates : 1,000.00 - 1,500.00
Sold to floor for (700.00 + 147.00) x 1 = 847.00
Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Lot339Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Lot
a) Bastian Bros. Co. Buffalo Bill pinback, in an unusual variation, scarce image and signature at bottom. 1 1/4” with clean sharp image. Only example
Start Price : 750.00 | Estimates : 1,500.00 - 2,500.00
Sold to floor for (300.00 + 63.00) x 1 = 363.00
Check from Buffalo Bill’s Wild West/Pawnee Bill’s Far East340Check from Buffalo Bill’s Wild West/Pawnee Bill’s Far East
a) Buffalo Bill’s Wild West / Pawnee Bill’s Far East signed check. Dated 1910 with bold signature of Cody with Buffalo Bill’s Wild West / Pawnee Bill’
Start Price : 400.00 | Estimates : 800.00 - 1,200.00
Sold to floor for (500.00 + 105.00) x 1 = 605.00
Buffalo Bill and the Wild West Troupe341Buffalo Bill and the Wild West Troupe
Mammoth cabinet card image of Cody and the whole Wild West Troupe taken at the New York State Prison. Cody stands with his wife and Chief Iron Tail. M
Start Price : 300.00 | Estimates : 600.00 - 900.00
Sold to floor for (200.00 + 42.00) x 1 = 242.00
Stereo View Cards of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West342Stereo View Cards of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West
Total of 12 individual cards. Scarce images: a) Buffalo Bill on horseback pointing rifle; b) Annie Oakley shooting rifle at show. Extremely rare to fi
Start Price : 750.00 | Estimates : 1,500.00 - 2,500.00
Sold to floor for (1,400.00 + 294.00) x 1 = 1,694.00
Buffalo Bill Wild West Album Photos and Set of Mounted Images343Buffalo Bill Wild West Album Photos and Set of Mounted Images
a) Lot of 6 photos removed from an album with misc. images on reverse side (early bicycle racers, lacrosse, etc.) Some very rare one-of-a-kind images,
Start Price : 750.00 | Estimates : 1,500.00 - 2,500.00
Sold to floor for (500.00 + 105.00) x 1 = 605.00
Buffalo Bill Wild West Broadside344Buffalo Bill Wild West Broadside
Advertising flyer, early broadside. Buffalo Bill’s Wild West and Congress of Rough Riders of the World. 20” x 5”. Nicely framed, excellent condition.
Start Price : 250.00 | Estimates : 500.00 - 800.00
Sold to floor for (500.00 + 105.00) x 1 = 605.00
Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Staff Photograph345Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Staff Photograph
Early image 6 1/4” x 8 1/4” on light gray mount, 9” x 11” circa 1887. Photo of John M. Burke, Eugene Overton, Jule Keen and the other managing personn
Start Price : 500.00 | Estimates : 1,000.00 - 1,500.00
Sold to floor for (1,500.00 + 315.00) x 1 = 1,815.00
Photographs and Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Items346Photographs and Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Items
This lot includes: a) Ed Phillips’ leather bag with hand beaded border and his initials EP beaded onto the front of the bag; made for him by his wife
Start Price : 1,500.00 | Estimates : 3,000.00 - 5,000.00
Sold to floor for (500.00 + 105.00) x 1 = 605.00
Wild West Photographs347Wild West Photographs
Mammoth photos by photographer Jas E. Hunt, 141 Clarendon Road, North Kensington W. (Wales?) Board mounts are chipped and tattered with some stained:
Start Price : 2,000.00 | Estimates : 4,000.00 - 5,000.00
Sold to floor for (300.00 + 63.00) x 1 = 363.00
Photograph Collection of Ed Phillips, Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Performer348Photograph Collection of Ed Phillips, Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Performer
a) An impressive image of “The Wild Bunch” the image is clean and sharp and unaffected by the damage to the mount, small tape remnants at bottom. 7” x
Start Price : 1,500.00 | Estimates : 3,000.00 - 5,000.00
Sold to floor for (1,000.00 + 210.00) x 1 = 1,210.00
Ephemera & Photos of Buffalo Bill and Ed Phillips349Ephemera & Photos of Buffalo Bill and Ed Phillips
a) Photo of Buffalo Bill on horseback. 11” x 14” mount with 6” x 7 3/4” image, light (faded), stained, flaking. Mount chipped on edges/bad shape; b) P
Start Price : 200.00 | Estimates : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold to floor for (200.00 + 42.00) x 1 = 242.00
Wild West Business Cards350Wild West Business Cards
Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Calling Cards: Lot of 6 authentic and old business cards, including a personal card from Wm. F. Cody, Nebraska given to Mrs.
Start Price : 500.00 | Estimates : 1,000.00 - 1,500.00
Sold to floor for (500.00 + 105.00) x 1 = 605.00
Ed Phillips and Buffalo Bill Photographs351Ed Phillips and Buffalo Bill Photographs
Buffalo Bill related mounted photographs. All sizes are for the images, and do not include the photographers mounts: a) 5 3/4” x 3” Sioux Chief Iron T
Start Price : 750.00 | Estimates : 1,500.00 - 2,500.00
Sold to floor for (300.00 + 63.00) x 1 = 363.00
Ed Phillips and the Wild West  Photograph Collection352Ed Phillips and the Wild West Photograph Collection
Large grouping of great images. All unmounted photographs relating to Ed Phillips’ time with Buffalo Bill’s Wild West and Pawnee Bill’s Far East: a)
Start Price : 300.00 | Estimates : 600.00 - 900.00
Sold to floor for (400.00 + 84.00) x 1 = 484.00
Ed Phillips and the Wild West Photograph Collection353Ed Phillips and the Wild West Photograph Collection
Images of Phillips’ friend and fellow performer with Pawnee Bill, Leonard Sasseen: a) 7 1/4” x 9 1/4” image on 10” x 12” mount of Sasseen, Cy Compton
Start Price : 1,000.00 | Estimates : 2,000.00 - 3,000.00
Sold to floor for (400.00 + 84.00) x 1 = 484.00
Ed Phillips and the Wild West Photograph Collection354Ed Phillips and the Wild West Photograph Collection
Unmounted images of the Wild West including very important photos of Ed with some of the most famous folks of the day: a) 3” x 4” showing Ed, third fr
Start Price : 350.00 | Estimates : 700.00 - 900.00
Sold to floor for (500.00 + 105.00) x 1 = 605.00