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 A rare, unpublished Will James watercolor will be offered, as well as a number of 1st edition Will James books with original drawings and signatures.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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Exquisite Mario Hanel California Saddle200 - Exquisite Mario Hanel California Saddle
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
In the style of a classic 1880s California saddle, high back, slick fork, square skirt with elaborately tooled floral carving. Complete with matching
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 10,000.00 - 14,000.00
Sold to floor for (8,000.00) = 8,000.00
 
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Visalia Stock Saddle Company Show Saddle201 - Visalia Stock Saddle Company Show Saddle
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Black, quilted seat, flower tooled pattern with fixed corona. Impressive Northern California saddle has 20” tapaderos and matching breastcollar. The t
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 3,000.00 - 4,000.00
Sold to floor for (2,000.00) = 2,000.00
 
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C. P. Shipley, Kansas City, Black Woolies202 - C. P. Shipley, Kansas City, Black Woolies
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Black angora chaps with basketstamped tooling and buckstiching on the belt. Lustrous thick hair canvas lining, leather backed, 42” long overall.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 2,000.00 - 3,000.00
Sold to floor for (1,200.00) = 1,200.00
 
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Frank Morrow Shotgun Chaps203 - Frank Morrow Shotgun Chaps
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Very scarce maker from Sheridan, Wyoming. Shotguns with outside pockets and 4” fringe. Excellent condition, great color. Slight discoloration in one s
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 4,000.00 - 5,000.00
Sold to floor for (2,200.00) = 2,200.00
 
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King’s Saddlery, Sheridan, Wyoming204 - King’s Saddlery, Sheridan, Wyoming
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Shotgun chaps in the Vaquero style. Sheridan tooling on belt. Rough? Out leather legs with canvas lining. Traditional bone buttons (with spares) and s
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 1,500.00
Sold to floor for (1,050.00) = 1,050.00
 
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D. E. Walker, Visalia Saddle205 - D. E. Walker, Visalia Saddle
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Brown with superior quality acorn and oak leaf tooling pattern. Engraved sterling plate with the initials WDD on the rear of the high cantle. Excellen
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 2,000.00 - 3,000.00
Sold to floor for (3,500.00) = 3,500.00
 
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Olsen-Nolte Silver Show S. F. Show Saddle206 - Olsen-Nolte Silver Show S. F. Show Saddle
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Beautifully tooled San Francisco saddle with Cheyenne roll, horsehead design overlays on corners and horn. Silver plate on cantle. Light color shows v
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 3,000.00 - 4,000.00
Sold to floor for (1,900.00) = 1,900.00
 
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Visalia Stock Saddle Co.207 - Visalia Stock Saddle Co.
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
A very nice black show saddle with silver conchos and corner plates, Cheyenne roll cantle and matching tool pouch attached. The matching headstall has
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 2,500.00 - 3,500.00
Sold to floor for (1,600.00) = 1,600.00
 
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Don Bentley, Oakland CA Saddle Set, with Bridle, Scabbard, Martingale, Canteen & Reata208 - Don Bentley, Oakland CA Saddle Set, with Bridle, Scabbard, Martingale, Canteen & Reata
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
This grand ensemble was built for Julie Nichols who rode in many parades including the Pasadena Tournament of Roses. The saddle is sterling mounted wi
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 8,000.00 - 12,000.00
Sold to floor for (2,750.00) = 2,750.00
 
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19th Century F. A. Meanea Wyoming Territorial Saddle209 - 19th Century F. A. Meanea Wyoming Territorial Saddle
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Full square skirt, single rig model 14P Cheyenne saddle. Marked with the highly coveted F. A. Meanea - Cheyenne, W. T. maker-mark. Light brown overall
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 3,500.00 - 4,500.00
Sold to floor for (1,600.00) = 1,600.00
 
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Group of 4 Mexican Saddles210 - Group of 4 Mexican Saddles
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
a) Half seat saddle with exposed full double rigging. Skeleton style stirrup leathers; b) Saddle made on Mexican tree for Joe C. Lamprey of the Neucha
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,500.00 - 2,000.00
Sold to floor for (1,600.00) = 1,600.00
 
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Black Mexican Sombrero211 - Black Mexican Sombrero
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Embroidery of flowers, vines, horses and horseshoes with bead and sequin decorations. Deep brim with 9 1/2” crown. Silk lined with leather sweatband a
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 700.00 - 1,000.00
Sold to floor for (600.00) = 600.00
 
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Circa 1860s Mexican Spurs212 - Circa 1860s Mexican Spurs
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Intricately engraved and inlaid spurs with 1 1/4” bands. Silver inlaid on both sides of bands and rowels.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 600.00 - 900.00
Sold to floor for (1,700.00) = 1,700.00
 
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Rare 19th Century Child’s Sombrero213 - Rare 19th Century Child’s Sombrero
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Black felt with fine lace decorative band and worn gold binding. Deep dish brim with 4” out and 3” rise. Crown is 8 1/2” tall from base. Inside is 6”
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 1,200.00
Sold to floor for (600.00) = 600.00
 
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Fancy Spanish Ring Bit214 - Fancy Spanish Ring Bit
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Early bit with 4” ring, double danglers on port, jingle bobs and chains. Double bobs on swinging bar below the slobber bar. Chased S pattern cheeks, c
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 900.00 - 1,400.00
Sold to floor for (1,300.00) = 1,300.00
 
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19th Century Mexican Spurs plus a Single Spur215 - 19th Century Mexican Spurs plus a Single Spur
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Pair of circa 1860s spurs with flower buttons and silver accents on narrow bands, replaced rowels. The single Mexican spur has a heavy rounded band wi
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 900.00 - 1,200.00
Sold to floor for (450.00) = 450.00
 
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Mexican Charro Chaps /Pants216 - Mexican Charro Chaps /Pants
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Exquisitely tooled late 19th century chaps or leggings with pitiado (cactus fiber) stitching and embroidered monogram on buckle strap. Canvas lined le
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 1,500.00
Sold to floor for (1,000.00) = 1,000.00
 
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Deep Dish Mexican Sombrero217 - Deep Dish Mexican Sombrero
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Brown and worn, the holes make a statement. This hat has great character, with an almost 4" rise to the brim and 8" crown.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 900.00 - 1,400.00
Sold to floor for (1,800.00) = 1,800.00
 
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Youth Size Sombrero218 - Youth Size Sombrero
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Gray felt hat in very rare size. 6” across inside, 4 1/2” brim with 7 1/2” tall crown. Braided 3-strand hatband and bound edge. Condition is very good
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 1,200.00
Sold to floor for (700.00) = 700.00
 
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Lot of 2 Mexican Saltillo Serapes219 - Lot of 2 Mexican Saltillo Serapes
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Colorful, nicely woven, textiles; one in classic serape style, the other more freely designed. c. 1920s - 1930s a) 72” x 40” bright eye dazzler patter
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 1,500.00
Sold to floor for (1,100.00) = 1,100.00
 
Details...Bookmark