Brian Lebel’s Old West Events/Morphy Auctions – Old West Show
June 21-23 2024
Santa Fe Community Convention Center Santa Fe, New Mexico
morphyauctions.com oldwestevents.com 877-968-8880

SANTA FE, N.M. — More than 100 dealers from across the United States will set up at Brian Lebel’s June 21-23 Old West Show in historic Santa Fe, offering an array of Western art and antiques, Native American artifacts, firearms, cowboy apparel, jewelry, home decor and much more.

The all-day show on Saturday, June 22, will be followed by an evening auction produced in association with Morphy Auctions and conducted on site at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center. Auction start time is 5 pm MT (7 pm ET), and all forms of remote bidding will be available, including absentee, by phone, via mobile app or live online through Morphy Live. All auction goods may be previewed in person during the show on Friday, June 21, from 9 am to 5 pm; on Saturday, June 22, from 9 am to 4, pm or anytime online. Both the auction and preview are free and open to the public.

The auction’s main categories include Western fine art, cowboy antiques and paraphernalia (saddles, spurs, bits, etc.); Native American relics and clothing; Hollywood cowboy memorabilia, Old West gambling and saloon items; antique and contemporary belt buckles and other silverwork; antique advertising and lithography; and Western decorative arts and furniture. The comprehensive mix of merchandise encompasses antique, vintage and modern items, and spans all collector price points.

Brian Lebel is especially enthusiastic about the quality and variety of goods to be auctioned this year, describing the event as “potentially one of the most exciting sales we’ve had in more than 34 years. We’ll be offering artworks by premier Western artists of the past and modern day, with an important and historical California masterwork by James Walker leading the group.”

Painted circa 1877, Walker’s (English/American, 1818-1899) oil on canvas titled “Judges of the Plains” depicts powerful rancheros of Ventura and Los Angeles counties, including members of the trailblazing Sepulveda, Verdugo, Pico, del Valle and Lugo families. The artwork measures 30-3/16 by 50-3/16 inches (sight) and is signed J. Walker. Its unbroken line of provenance begins with the painting’s sale by the artist directly to the Ignacio del Valle family. In 1924, it was purchased privately by the Rubel family. Its next owner was Los Angeles art broker Carl Schaefer Denzel, who sold it to its current owner in 2012. Those wishing to view a detailed condition report with additional historical details may do so on Morphy’s website ($400/500,000).

The June art selection also includes works by Harry Jackson, James Bama, Lon Megargee and Will James, as well as some by today’s most-collected artists, like Mark Maggiori, William Matthews, Scott Rogers and Buckeye Blake. An oil on canvas by William Gilbert Gaul (1855-1919, member N.A.D.) is untitled but known as Indian by Campfire. It captures the essence of what Gaul absorbed during his many trips to the American West from 1882 through 1891, when he lived on Army posts and with Indian tribes. It is worth noting that Gaul is renowned for his portrait of Sitting Bull, which was painted from life. Indian by Campfire, which is artist-signed and measures 39½ by 29½ inches, is expected to sell for $35/55,000.

A breathtaking witness to history is the documented Colt .45 single-action Army revolver with pearl grips, No. 147306, from a 10-gun shipment sent to the Dalton Gang and with ownership attributed to either Bob or Emmett Dalton. This showy gun, purportedly engraved by Colt master engraver Cuno Helfricht, was shipped from the Colt factory on August 18, 1892, to a Kansas hardware store. Historical documentation indicates that each of the five Dalton Gang members received two Colts the day before the ill-fated Coffeyville Raid, when they attempted to rob two banks at the same time. Four of the five men perished, but Emmett Dalton, the youngest of the gang, miraculously survived after incurring 23 gunshot wounds. The storied auction firearm will convey with an archive of information and a copy of the relevant Colt factory letter ($200/300,000).

As classic American longarms go, few can rival New Haven Arms’ Model 1860 Henry. Collectors taking part in the June 22 auction will have an opportunity to bid on an example of the so-called “gun that won the West.” Engraved by Samuel Hoggson, it is pictured in both The Henry Rifle by Les Quick and the first edition of George Madis’ book titled Winchester. Manufactured in 1864, it bears Serial No. 7627, with matching numbers throughout. Its line of provenance includes the Robert Maloy collection, followed by the celebrated Ron and Linda Gillett collection. The estimate is $45/65,000.

The Santa Fe Community Convention Center is at 201 West Marcy Street. For information, www.morphyauctions.com or 877-968-8880. For more information about the show, www.oldwestevents.com or 480-779-9378.

Show & Auction: Auction June 22, 2024 at 5pm MDT
Featuring Select Items from the George Pitman and Ron Gillett Collections
James Walker (1818-1889)
Hidatsa / Mandan War Shirt
Don Oelze (B. 1965)
R. T. Frazier Studded Chaps
Rawlins Wyoming Calfskin and Horsehair Bridle
The Legendary Edward H. Bohlin Justin Dart “Disney” Saddle
Harry Jackson (1924-2011)
Dalton Gang Colt Single Action
Fabulous Jesus Tapia California Spurs
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