DENVER, COLO. – Western painting was front and center in Leslie Hindman’s Denver salesroom as William Robinson Leigh’s 1913 painting “The Roper” surpassed all others to sell for $281,0000, nearly doubling its high estimate.  Consigned by a Midwestern museum, Hindman’s cover lot descended in several Oklahoma collections from soon after its creation to its sale at Sotheby’s in 1988. Accompanied by Southwestern pottery, jewelry and other American Indian art from the Ruth and Robert Vogele collection, Hindman’s Arts of the American West auction on November 5-6 offered everything from Navajo blankets to furniture by Thomas Molesworth.  Watch for a full report in a future issue.