Saddle photo Courtesy Christie’s New York and High Noon, July 14-15, 2010 - – A saddle that the singing cowboy actually rode on, as opposed to the 2002 saddle that was meant for promotional display, also brought in a top-dollar bid-$320,000, at a joint auction by High Noon and Christie’s New York on July 14-15, 2010. The seat was small, and the saddle was made to be featured in a traveling display case at Sears across the nation, to promote Rogers-branded toys, household items and clothes on sale. The interesting thing about that top-selling saddle is Rogers likely never rode on it. Roy Rogers photo Courtesy High Noon, January 19, 2002 -īut that’s not even the auction record for a Rogers saddle! In 2002, the saddle collecting world was stunned when a collector earned $375,000 selling the actor’s John McCabe saddle at High Noon. The Roy Rogers-owned John McCabe saddle that shocked the collecting world in 2002 bid high for $375,000 at High Noon auction. It hammered down for $320,000 at a joint July 14-15, 2010, auction by Christie’s New York and High Noon (the latter is now produced by Lebel).
McCracken is referring to the saddle Roy Rogers rode on for his TV series and in most of his films as early as 1942, which is when the singing cowboy actor purchased the saddle from Bohlin.
Francisco “Pancho” Villa (above) holds the world record for a Western Americana saddle $625,000. The last saddle of Mexican Revolution Gen. To the best of our knowledge, anyway,” says Melissa McCracken, spokesperson for Brian Lebel’s Old West Events. “Roy’s saddle is probably the record for a Bohlin. It’s also not the record price for a Bohlin saddle. This is not the highest auction price paid for a Lone Ranger col lectible that honor goes to A&S Auctions in Waco, Texas, for the Lone Ranger outfit that bid at $195,000. Meanea those saddles usually fetch more than $100,000.īohlin is the saddlemaker behind the saddle Clayton Moore rode on Silver while starring as the Lone Ranger in the ABC series. Museum-quality saddles sell for much higher, particularly those made by respected saddlemakers, such as Edward Bohlin and Frank A. Vintage Western saddles typically sell for under $10,000. A collector successfully bid $130,000 for the saddle, the auction’s highest-selling lot. The Edward Bohlin saddle, bridle and breast collar set are in the style of Bohlin’s San Gabriel model, with a few variations.
The Lone Ranger’s saddle has joined the top-dollar club, hammering down at Brian Lebel’s Old West on June 23 for $130,000. The history of a saddle often drives up the price. When coupled with beautiful craftsmanship and outstanding ownership, they can be collector’s items. Western Americana saddles are more than just a piece of horse equipment. Wrather’s estate sold the Lone Ranger’s saddle used in the ABC series at Brian Lebel’s Old West auction. Clayton Moore’s Lone Ranger, next to his trusty white horse Silver, shakes hands with Texas native Jack Wrather who purchased the rights to the show in 1954.