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139

E F Blanchard, Yucca, AZ Spurs

Currency:USD Category:Antiques Start Price:1,200.00 USD Estimated At:3,500.00 - 5,000.00 USD
E F Blanchard, Yucca, AZ Spurs
Special order, one-of-a-kind, maker-marked iron (not stainless) silver mounted (by McCabe of Los Angeles, CA) for Arizona cutting horse legend Bill Simon -- this particular Blanchard spur pattern actually became the Bill Simon Catalog Pattern No. 5. Engraved silver overlay by McCabe of Los Angeles, with 1", 16 pt rowels, original floral carved and lined two-piece leathers with 3-piece McCabe marked buckle sets and domed silver dollar conchos. Very fine, 100% original condition, c 1950s PROVENANCE: Purchased from Bill Simon by O S Carlton in 1956. Letter from Carlton, included. Before Rex Bell became the Arizona Cowboy, the crown was arguably held by Bill Simon (1890-1976). Born in Pennsylvania in 1890, Bill broke 5 world track records in his youth before journeying west to work on several ranches in Yvapai County, AZ. Bill entered the bronc riding in the Army rodeo held in Paris in July, 1918 then returned to Prescott to resume cowboying after the war. He and his wife Betty went into the Rodeo circuit full time, becoming an acclaimed contestant in 1954 when his mare won the cutting horse championship of Arizona. One of their most memorable horses was an old gelding named Spaniard who Mrs Simon rode during a rodeo comedy routine. During his rodeo stardom days, Bill worked in a few Tom Mix movies ultimately turning down an offer to become a Hollywood singing cowboy. From the Simon’s horse camp in Prescott, AZ, Bill continued to ride and train horses until shortly before his death at age 86. For students of Southwestern lore, Bill Simon was the complete Arizona Cowboy! McCabe Silversmiths was established in Southern California in 1923 reaching its apex during the Hollywood Cowboy era of the 1930s & 1940s when it shared the spotlight with its more well-known competitors like Ed Bohlin and Hollywood Saddlery. Charley Martinez, a nephew of John McCabe, was its most prominent owner expanding the silver line to include bolos, tie slides, saddle trimmings and conchos in addition to their popular ranger & trophy buckles. McCabe mounted only a few saddles and spurs -- but the ones they did were uniquely custom and always impressive. When Martinez died in the late 1940's his widow sold the company and dies to Bob Stanton of Sunset Trails under whose ownership these spurs were mounted in the early 1950s.
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