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 A rare, unpublished Will James watercolor will be offered, as well as a number of 1st edition Will James books with original drawings and signatures.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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Unsigned Saloon Nude21 - Unsigned Saloon Nude
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Classic reclining figure popular in the bars and saloons of the west, c. 1880s 29 1/4” x 46 1/4” Oil on canvas. Shows quality restoration. Surface age
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 4,000.00 - 5,000.00
Sold to floor for (2,300.00) = 2,300.00
 
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Full Body Mount Standing Grizzly Bear22 - Full Body Mount Standing Grizzly Bear
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
High quality taxidermy mount of a 6’ tall bruin standing with open mouth. Overall with the base this specimen rises almost 8’. The hair and hide are i
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 5,000.00 - 8,000.00
Sold to floor for (4,500.00) = 4,500.00
 
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Cyrus Edward Dallin (1861-1944)23 - Cyrus Edward Dallin (1861-1944)
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Scout 37”tall x 36” long, 12” deep Bronze Signed in bronze C. E. Dallin 8/30 Copyright 1912 Casting date unknown, on 1 1/4” marble base
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 2,000.00 - 3,000.00
Sold to floor for (1,700.00) = 1,700.00
 
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James Earl Fraser (1876-1953)24 - James Earl Fraser (1876-1953)
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
End of Trail 28” tall, 30” long, 9” deep Bronze Signed in bronze J.E. Fraser 38/150 Casting date unknown
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 600.00 - 800.00
Sold to floor for (800.00) = 800.00
 
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Wilson Hurley (1924-2008)25 - Wilson Hurley (1924-2008)
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Spring Snow in the Sandias 24” x 40” Framed to 34” x 50” Oil on canvas Signed lower left Water damage to left side of canvas PROVENANCE: Ex: Denver Ar
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 6,000.00 - 8,000.00
Sold to floor for (11,500.00) = 11,500.00
 
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Raphael Lillywhite (1891-1958)26 - Raphael Lillywhite (1891-1958)
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Pack Burro 24” x 30” Framed to 29 1/2” x 35 1/2” Oil on masonite Signed lower left Raphael Lillywhite
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 3,000.00 - 4,000.00
Sold to floor for (2,500.00) = 2,500.00
 
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Michael Coleman27 - Michael Coleman
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Black Bears-Nimpskish River 24” x 30” Oil on board Signed lower right Michael Coleman
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 4,000.00 - 6,000.00
Sold to nickl3022184 for (5,000.00 + 1,000.00BP) = 6,000.00
 
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Cyrus Edward Dallin (1861-1944)28 - Cyrus Edward Dallin (1861-1944)
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Massasoit 41” tall, 15” wide, 13” deep, on 2” base Bronze Signed on bronze C.E. Dallin 1914 6/30 Casting date unknown. (Note: description previously s
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 2,000.00 - 3,000.00
Sold to floor for (1,800.00) = 1,800.00
 
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Dave Powell CA (b. 1954)29 - Dave Powell CA (b. 1954)
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Praying to Sindi 30” x 40” Framed to 39” x 50” Oil on Canvas Signed lower left Dave Powell CA
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 8,000.00 - 12,000.00
Sold to floor for (3,500.00) = 3,500.00
 
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Remington Schuyler (1884-1955)30 - Remington Schuyler (1884-1955)
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Pair of Pulp Cover Illustrations in large format 31” x 22” each Framed to 39” x 30” Oil on board Signed lower right Remington Schuyler
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 3,000.00 - 4,000.00
Sold to floor for (3,250.00) = 3,250.00
 
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Ross Stefan (1934-1999)31 - Ross Stefan (1934-1999)
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Pueblo Evening 22” x 30” Framed to 31 1/2” x 39 1/4” Oil on Canvas Signed lower right Ross Stefan Ex: Denver Art Museum; Harmsen Museum of Art Exhibit
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 4,500.00 - 5,500.00
Sold to floor for (3,500.00) = 3,500.00
 
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William Matthews (b. 1949)32 - William Matthews (b. 1949)
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Buffalo 18 1/2” x 18 1/2” Shadow box framed to 28 1/2” square Watercolor on paper Signed lower right William Matthews Gallery tag attached to reverse.
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 2,500.00 - 3,500.00
Sold to floor for (2,500.00) = 2,500.00
 
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Linda Tippetts (b. 1944)33 - Linda Tippetts (b. 1944)
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
The Sacred Lodge 18” x 24” Framed to 25” x 31” Oil on Masonite Signed lower right Inscribed lower right Where Brothers Begin – Promises are Spoken – N
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 2,000.00 - 3,000.00
Sold to floor for (200.00) = 200.00
 
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Thomas deDecker (b. 1951)34 - Thomas deDecker (b. 1951)
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Native American Campsite 16” x 20” Oil on board Signed lower right
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 2,000.00 - 3,000.00
Sold to floor for (1,150.00) = 1,150.00
 
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“Cowboy” Chuck Ryan35 - “Cowboy” Chuck Ryan
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Lot includes: belt & holster rig, revolvers, boots, buckle, spurs, photos, book. Belt and holster rig with a pair of Great Western single action...
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 4,500.00 - 5,500.00
Sold to floor for (4,500.00) = 4,500.00
 
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Montie Montana Shirt and Pants36 - Montie Montana Shirt and Pants
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Turk shirt with embroidered floral design, blue yoke, Montie’s famous Rocking MM brand on chest and over pockets on pants. 2 pair of pants, one with r
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 800.00 - 1,200.00
Sold to floor for (600.00) = 600.00
 
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Buck Jones Personal Belt Buckle37 - Buck Jones Personal Belt Buckle
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
3-piece sterling and gold set, most likely made by the Srour Company in Los Angeles in the late 1920s or early 1930s for mega cowboy movie star Buck J
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 6,000.00 - 8,000.00
Sold to floor for (5,000.00) = 5,000.00
 
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Tim McCoy Movie Poster38 - Tim McCoy Movie Poster
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
“Cornered” c.1932 Lithograph poster, 40” x 27” Morgan Litho Co. Framed in step style to 51” x 38”
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 2,000.00 - 2,500.00
Sold to floor for (1,500.00) = 1,500.00
 
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Pair of Buffalo Ranch Lithographs39 - Pair of Buffalo Ranch Lithographs
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
“Real Wild West” posters 55 1/2” x 20” each. Colorful and exciting graphics. a) Cowboys - Cowgirls - Indians - Mexicans “History Blended with Pleasant
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 1,500.00 - 2,500.00
Sold to floor for (1,800.00) = 1,800.00
 
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Gary Keithley Melba, ID Custom Qualey Pattern Spurs40 - Gary Keithley Melba, ID Custom Qualey Pattern Spurs
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Extra large size with 2 3/4”- 30 pt rowels. Sterling conchos and buckles. Conchos are 2 1/4” with synthetic rubies. Inside marked with Gary’s maker-ma
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 3,000.00 - 4,000.00
Sold to floor for (3,250.00) = 3,250.00
 
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