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 showsaddle, $63,250; a Bruce Lovins sterling silver parade saddle,$27,750; an Edward H. Bohlin “Machris” parade saddle, $115,000; aW.E. Fulps Texas salesman sample saddle, $17,250; and a Visaliaminiature 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.