The Economy and Collecting

by James H. Nottage

Albert Nottage worked his way through the Great Depression as a locomotive engineer for the Union Pacific Railroad. Through those hard economic times, he managed to create a world-class collection of American coins. For him, those were tough financial times, but there were also real opportunities to collect. Just as we have justifiable concerns about money today, these could be good times to collect as well.
      In writing about this subject, be assured that I have no crystal ball. I cannot tell you with certainty about what will happen to the value of great spurs, important saddles, significant Indian objects, or Western paintings. I can offer opinions about short-term opportunities that as a collector you might keep in mind.

 
Through his photos, award winning photographer Myron Beck (Los Angeles, CA) inspires us to dream and embrace the beauty that surrounds us in the people we see, the environments in which we thrive and the diverse cultures that enrichen our lives.  www.myronbeck.com
 

A Look to the Future: We All Will Say "We Knew Him When..."
Tyler Crow - Cowboy Artist


While the saying goes "there are only two things certain in life -death and taxes," we at High Noon would like to add a third - that Tyler Crow will be one of the preeminent Cowboy artists of America.

Tyler was dearly missed by so many of us this year in Phoenix. Over the past few years, his young infectious charm and enthusiasm lit up the show as he spent his time working with Jacquie Smiley and Justin Walker, talking to people, learning the business and sketching amazing drawings of life as a cowboy.

Jack Slaughter
Gallery of the Old West

The Dealer · The Historian · The Gentleman


Jack has been part of our High Noon Family since our first show in Mesa 19 years ago. Jack is known nation-wide for his knowledge and collection of antique guns - specifically Colts and Winchesters. With his reserved demeanor, he keeps his passion for his field of expertise quietly under wraps until you start asking some questions then his face lights up with that elegant smile and the stories begin to unfold.

 

Each month, Smoke Signals will give a little insight into who makes High Noon happen. This month, we'd like you to meet the real Audrey Roberts - aka, the "nerve center" of High Noon - without her we'd all be adrift in a tumultuous sea of tumbleweed.


Audrey Roberts
High Noon Office Manager · Show Manager · World Traveler

For the past 12 years, Audrey has been the "afternoon voice" of High Noon. It's her signature sunshiny tone when she answers the phone that says you've called the right place. Good day, bad day, a stressed-to-the-max, it doesn't matter to Audrey, she'll never let on. Her first priority is to take care of anything you might need. If she doesn't know the answer, she'll find out and she will call you back. Let's call her the "nerve center" of the office - it all rotates around Audrey.

Whether it's her job or her personal life, Audrey goes to mat, leaving no stone unturned or opportunity overlooked.

When she's not "High Nooning" Audrey spends her time living life to the fullest with her foremost passion being travel. He personal goal is to see every corner of the earth. So far, she's banked Alaska, China, London, Spain and France with Costa Rica next on the list. These adventures she shares with husband Greg Simoes who she met about nine years ago through an online dating site.

Many of us know Greg as the official High Noon shuttle driver each year at the show. But did you know that you were being shuttled by the Exhalted Ruler of the Culver City Elks Lodge? Bet not. That would make Audrey the First Lady of the Elks Lodge, a role she embraces with pride. She and Greg work tirelessly and selflessly in their respective roles dedicating their time to producing fundraisers for homeless shelters and charity benefits for children of disadvantaged and low-income families.

Not traveling or fundraising? Audrey and Greg hit the town going to dances, plays, and concerts. Comments Linda Kohn Sherwood: "Audrey and Greg go to more cultural and entertainment events than anyone else I know in Los Angeles!"

Linda comments further that "Audrey has won more contests than anyone I know as well."  Whether it's dialing into a radio station or entering a sweepstakes, Audrey has won concert tickets, movie tickets, money, a stereo system, gifts... you name it, she's won it. Maybe she'll win a trip around the world next - that would be perfect!

And the end of a long day or after returning from a long trip, Audrey snuggles up with the two real loves in her life, Sugar and Spice, her precious calico cats. Perhaps she's just a home girl at heart.