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Important 1920s Hollywood Salesman Sample Saddle

Currency:USD Category:Western Americana / Tack - Saddles Start Price:20,000.00 USD Estimated At:25,000.00 - 30,000.00 USD
Important 1920s Hollywood Salesman Sample Saddle
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This exquisite miniature parade saddle, salesman sample size, is marked “EDW C. LASHAWAY / MAKER / HOLLYWOOD, CAL.” on the back of the cantle. The tiny saddle is only 8 ½” in length, yet spares no detail, down to the mini silver stirrups that are no bigger than a quarter. Full perimeter lacing, heavy gauge intricately engraved sterling corner plates, swell caps, and twisted rope edge; fully silvered horn; twopiece, 4” high, full silver mounted highback seat. Floral carved skirts, back jockeys and fenders are trimmed with raised, floral engraved silver spots. Precision executed cinch rings; sheepskin lined. A magnificent saddle at any size.

Who was Edward Lashaway? Edward C. Lashaway created one of the finest antique salesman sample-size parade saddles ever built, but no one has ever heard of him before or since. To the best of our knowledge, this is the only marked Lashaway saddle ever made in any size. The intricate silver engraving and exceptional carving demonstrate the style and precision of renowned 1920s Hollywood saddle makers like Edward H. Bohlin and the Brydon Bros. The saddle appears in a photograph from the early 1930s in a store window, on display next to John McCabe’s legendary silver, gold and ruby mounted parade saddle. The Lashaway looks adorably small next to the McCabe, but is just as impressive for flash and style.

References to an Ed Lashaway can be found in several editions of “The Leatherworker’s Journal”: September 1906 as a member of Branch 10 in Atchison, Kansas; September 1915 in Miles City, Montana; and October 1920 in Kansas City, Missouri. None give any indication as to whether it is the same Ed Lashaway. A number of master makers of parade saddles would rise to prominence in the 1930s, 40s and 50s, but this one-of-a-kind, salesman sample saddle by an otherwise unknown maker, remains a miniature masterpiece to this day.