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 A rare, unpublished Will James watercolor will be offered, as well as a number of 1st edition Will James books with original drawings and signatures.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
 
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John Wayne Productions Movie Hat220 - John Wayne Productions Movie Hat
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Very decorative prop hat marked inside J.W. No.12 BATJAC also signed inside Yakima Canutt. BATJAC was Wayne’s own production company. Style used by th
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,500.00 - 2,500.00
Sold to floor for (15,000.00) = 15,000.00
 
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Sioux Beaded Tabbed Pipe Bag221 - Sioux Beaded Tabbed Pipe Bag
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
24” x 7” multicolored geometric design on native tanned hide. Lane beadwork up the side and at opening, with triangular tabs at the base. Good conditi
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 1,600.00
Sold to floor for (1,200.00) = 1,200.00
 
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Lakota Tobacco Bag222 - Lakota Tobacco Bag
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Early buckskin with typical sidebar panels. Pumpkin and black beads down edges with bead drops between warrior tabs. 21 1/2” long and 4 3/4” wide, c.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,200.00 - 1,800.00
Sold to floor for (2,200.00) = 2,200.00
 
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Sioux Beaded Moccasins223 - Sioux Beaded Moccasins
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
11” long, multicolored red and green zig-zag designs on native tanned hide with green buffalo tracks and bifurcated tongue with cones. Fine condition
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 800.00 - 1,200.00
Sold to floor for (900.00) = 900.00
 
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Two Beaded and Quilled Pipe Bags224 - Two Beaded and Quilled Pipe Bags
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
a) 37”x 7” multicolored geometric designs on native tanned hide with red and yellow quill slats and 12” fringe. Good condition with some restoration,
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,400.00 - 2,000.00
Sold to floor for (800.00) = 800.00
 
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Lakota Pictorial Tobacco Bag225 - Lakota Pictorial Tobacco Bag
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Elk Dreamer Society, dancer with hoops and mirrors on front, with full body elk on reverse. Fringed double split tabs with dragonflies. 22” long with
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 3,000.00 - 5,000.00
Sold to floor for (5,000.00) = 5,000.00
 
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Crow Parfleche Case226 - Crow Parfleche Case
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Cylindrical bonnet case, 16” long with 13” long fringe and 4 1/2” dia. Geometric polychrome design, c. 1880-1890.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 2,500.00 - 3,500.00
Sold to floor for (2,300.00) = 2,300.00
 
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Crow Knife Case with Knife227 - Crow Knife Case with Knife
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Native tanned hide with square shank tacks. 13” long. Beaded panel with light blue, dark blue, red, pink rectangles. Fine condition, c. 1890.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,200.00 - 1,800.00
Sold to floor for (1,900.00) = 1,900.00
 
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Northern Plains Hair Roach228 - Northern Plains Hair Roach
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Early 20th century, 15” long with up to 9” hair. Excellent condition with custom medal stand.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 700.00 - 900.00
Sold to floor for (1,100.00) = 1,100.00
 
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Ankle High Moccasins229 - Ankle High Moccasins
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Star design with 3 colors of blue beads, yellow and black lines. Yellow ochre remnant on leather, thick hard soles. Victorian style button closures, 4
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 3,500.00 - 4,500.00
Sold to floor for (2,100.00) = 2,100.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Sioux Turtle Fetish230 - Sioux Turtle Fetish
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Beaded edges of green crosses on white and quilled center in red, yellow, and purple. Dyed horsehair and tin cones on beaded legs and quilled tail. 5
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 1,500.00
Sold to floor for (1,200.00) = 1,200.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Sioux Hair Drop231 - Sioux Hair Drop
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Beaded and quilled on hide with quill wrapped decoration and fringed base. 16” long with fringe, 2 1/2” wide at top, c. 1880s. Provenance: ex: Maryla
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 500.00 - 700.00
Sold to floor for (800.00) = 800.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Nez Perce Belt Pouch232 - Nez Perce Belt Pouch
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
7 1/2” x 6 1/2” flap, beaded pouch with central red, yellow, green morning star inside large blue-on-blue star. Pumpkin colored background with signat
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 1,500.00
Sold to floor for (1,100.00) = 1,100.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Crow Parfleche Envelope233 - Crow Parfleche Envelope
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Beautifully colored buffalo hide envelope, 27” x 14”, with classic Crow design elements in green, red, yellow and blue, c. 1870s.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 4,500.00 - 6,500.00
Sold to floor for (2,500.00) = 2,500.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Northern Plains Tacked Leather Belt234 - Northern Plains Tacked Leather Belt
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
9 to 10 rows of brass studs or tacks on heavy commercial leather strip 4” wide, 36” long body, re-attached buckle, c. 1890.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 2,000.00 - 3,000.00
Sold to floor for (1,900.00) = 1,900.00
 
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Northern Plains Knife Sheath235 - Northern Plains Knife Sheath
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Buckskin case trimmed with yellow and blue beads, 9” x 3”. Red quilled drops on bottom with tin cones on dyed red horsehair, c. 1890s. PROVENANCE: Pi
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 2,000.00
Sold to baldprairie for (650.00 + 130.00BP) = 780.00
 
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Cheyenne Moccasins236 - Cheyenne Moccasins
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
9 1/2” long. White, blue, yellow and red tipis along edge with green hoof panels. Fair condition with hard soles and slight bead loss, c. 1880s.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 700.00 - 900.00
Sold to floor for (900.00) = 900.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Southwest Basketry Figural Olla237 - Southwest Basketry Figural Olla
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Western Apache polychrome, woven of willow, devils claw, and painted red yucca root. Animal and cross devices. 12” tall by 13 1/4” across. Enhanced co
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 3,000.00 - 4,000.00
Sold to floor for (2,600.00) = 2,600.00
 
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Southwest Basketry Bowl238 - Southwest Basketry Bowl
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Western Apache bowl with fine primitive design and two rows of diamonds. Nice weave of enhanced devil claw and willow. 14 5/8” diameter by 3 3/4” deep
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,400.00 - 1,800.00
Sold to floor for (800.00) = 800.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Southwest Basketry Figural Bowl239 - Southwest Basketry Figural Bowl
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Western Apache, willow and enhanced devils claw with 18 animal (possibly dog) figures, central cross design. 15 1/4” dia and 4” deep. Clean, good weav
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,600.00 - 2,200.00
Sold to floor for (1,300.00) = 1,300.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Southwest Basketry Figural Bowl240 - Southwest Basketry Figural Bowl
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Western Apache bowl with random, primitive designs including human and chicken figures. Woven willow and enhanced devils claw. 14 5/8” diameter by 3 1
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,500.00 - 2,000.00
Sold to puffer for (800.00 + 160.00BP) = 960.00
 
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Navajo Rug241 - Navajo Rug
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
61 x 42 Hooked winged diamonds in black, gold and white on a grey field with a serrated red outlined side border and banded ends. Fine condition with
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 800.00 - 1,200.00
Sold to floor for (700.00) = 700.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Navajo Second Phase Variant Chief’s Rug242 - Navajo Second Phase Variant Chief’s Rug
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
45 x 62 Horizontal bands of black bars and serrated diamonds on a red background with black and white stripes. Fine condition, c. 1940s.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,500.00 - 2,500.00
Sold to floor for (2,800.00) = 2,800.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Navajo Rug243 - Navajo Rug
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
63 x 46 Serrated outlined diamonds and half diamonds and two floating diamonds in red, black, gold and white on a grey field with solid outside border
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 700.00 - 900.00
Sold to floor for (600.00) = 600.00
 
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Ned Jacob (b. 1938)244 - Ned Jacob (b. 1938)
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
3 Drawings on paper: a) A Warrior of the Piegan Blackfeet – Drawn from an old photo 5” x 4” Framed to 12 1/2” x 11” Charcoal Titled and signed on reve
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 1,500.00
Sold to cezanne1 for (1,200.00 + 240.00BP) = 1,440.00
 
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Assinaboine Warrior245 - Assinaboine Warrior
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Bronze 18” tall Stands on 1 3/4” wood base Signed with initials RBD 1/30 Colored patina Estate of noted Northern California collector
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 600.00 - 800.00
Sold to floor for (650.00) = 650.00
 
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Jie Wei Zhou (b. 1962)246 - Jie Wei Zhou (b. 1962)
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Untitled Indian Chief 24” x 30” Framed to 33” x 39” Oil on Canvas Signed lower left Jie Wei Zhou. Please Note: Frame has major damage top and bottom.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 800.00 - 1,200.00
Sold to floor for (1,000.00) = 1,000.00
 
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Eric Michaels247 - Eric Michaels
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Intruder Alert 36” x 48” Framed to approx 48” x 60” Oil on canvas Signed lower right Eric Michaels
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 14,000.00 - 16,000.00
Sold to floor for (16,000.00) = 16,000.00
 
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John Brent Jarvis (b. 1946)248 - John Brent Jarvis (b. 1946)
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Mother and Child 19” x 14” Framed to 32” x 27” Mixed media Signed lower left Dated 1990
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 900.00 - 1,400.00
Sold to floor for (800.00) = 800.00
 
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John Brent Jarvis (b. 1946)249 - John Brent Jarvis (b. 1946)
Brian Lebel's Old West Events
Pair Mixed Media a) Village 11” x 14”, framed to 22” x 25” Signed lower right, dated 1988; b) War Bonnet 5 1/2” x 3 1/2”, framed to 17” x 14” Signed l
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 800.00 - 1,200.00
Sold to floor for (700.00) = 700.00
 
Details...Bookmark