: The 2006 High Noon show and auction of Western Americana on
January 27-29 wrapped its 16th annual edition at the Phoenix
Civic Plaza and adjacent Hyatt Regency with a record-setting
auction total exceeding $2 million and a robust gate producing
generally positive results from the majority of the 250 Western,
American Indian and fine art exhibiting dealers.
Linda Kohn, show promoter and co-owner of High Noon, reported a
20 percent increase in overall show attendance and a 30 percent
increase in auction revenue over the previous year.
Co-producer Joseph Sherwood theorized that much of the show
increase resulted from expanded radio and TV advertising, with
the auction benefiting from broad diversity in consignments that
included an unreserved high-end gambling, saloon and Gold Rush
consignment from a downsizing New York collector, plus a
collection of extremely rare cattle and early brand books from a
popular Santa Fe, N.M., cattleman.
Recapping some of the top sellers in various categories, auction
highlights included, in Miscellaneous Cowboy, fancy 1960s Rios
cowboy boots, $4,025; Edward H. Bohlin filigreed chaps, $10,925;
Deerlodge horsehair bridle, $8,050; a Luis B. Ortega braided show
quirt, $16,100; and Luis B. Ortega fancy braided rawhide reins,
$24,150.
An Edward H. Bohlin "Machris" parade saddle topped the Western
saddles category at $115,000.
Among Western saddles were a Visalia silver mounted show
saddle, $63,250; a Bruce Lovins sterling silver parade saddle,
$27,750; an Edward H. Bohlin "Machris" parade saddle, $115,000; a
W.E. Fulps Texas salesman sample saddle, $17,250; and a Visalia
miniature presentation saddle, $31,050.
Spurs high fliers included G.S. Garcia snake spurs, $21,850; G.S.
Garcia Gal leg spurs, $25,300; and Abbie Hunt "His & Hers"
spurs, $29,900.
Top American Indian lots were a Sioux beaded 1890s half-seat
saddle, $86,250; a Navajo transitional blanket, $3,738; and
Southern Cheyenne beaded moccasins, $12,650.
The gambling, saloon and Gold Rush category was highlighted by a
sterling and ivory boar's tusk cigar cutter, $7,475; double
horse-head ivory corkscrew, $6,325; and a Will & Finck, San
Francisco gambler's dirk, $23,000.
Western art was led by an Olaf Wieghorst 30-by-36-inch oil on
canvas, $138,000. Other highlights were Ray Swanson, oil on
board, $20,700, and Martin Grelle oil on canvas, $26,450.
A James Arness (Matt Dillon) Gunsmoke lot topped the
Hollywood Cowboy category at $33,350.
Livestock and brand books were led by Prose and Poetry of the
Live Stock Industry at $25,300, and the highest selling lot
among Mexican, Charro and Vaquero items was a "Rose Parade"
Mexican saddle for $29,900.
Prices reported include 15 percent buyer's premium. For
information, 310-202-9010 or www.highnoon.com.
