Stuff I Know About Indian Camp Blankets    

 

By Barry Friedman      

 

While still doggedly pursuing my theory that Brian Lebel is Arnold Schwarzenegger's oldest love child, I've decided to take a momentary step back from that twisted tale to further educate Smoke Signals readers on my specialty, American Indian trade and camp blankets.

       

Certainly nobody can forget my March article that dealt with the history of the American Indian trade blanket. Everybody's still buzzing about that one and now here I am about to explain Indian camp blankets! I can hardly imagine your excitement and would give anything to be in your shoes and/or Lucchese's.

       

You'll recall that the fine wool geometric pattern blankets produced by Pendleton Woolen Mills and their competitors instantly became a staple of North American Indian life and remain so today. Pendleton is the only surviving pioneer trade blanket manufacturer and was the only mill that specifically went into business to create blankets for the Indian market. They manufactured their first blanket in 1896 and from the beginning made a very high quality product that commanded a good price. 

 

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Billy the Kid Tintype Brings $2.3 Million at Record-Breaking Auction     

The famous "Upham tintype" of Billy the Kid sold on Saturday, June 25, 2011 at Brian Lebel's Old West Auction, bringing $2.3 million including the premium. This is a record price paid at auction for an historical photograph, and is a record for any single item at Lebel's event, now in its 22nd year. Total sales equaled $3.6 million for 444 lots, a total sales record for the auction house. An impressive 94% sales rate was realized overall.

It took 2 1/2 minutes from the opening bid to the fall of the hammer for Billy's tintype to sell, with 5 bidders involved to 1.2 million and 2 bidders through the final stretch, all of whom were present on the floor. The winning bidder was Florida billionaire and collector, William Koch, who graciously granted interviews, posed for photos and even signed autographs after the sale.

A number of pieces brought well above-estimate prices, including a John Wayne Productions movie hat that sold on the telephone for $17,250, more than 10 times the low estimate. The Andy Warhol serigraph, Mother and Child (est. $8,000 - 10,000), brought $18,400. Other notable pieces include the Ed Borein watercolor, California Vaquero which brought $138,000, a record auction price for a Borein watercolor. A Colt Single Action with provenance to the Johnson County War brought $46,000 in a heated bidding contest.

Brian Lebel, auction owner, stated, "Across the board, prices were strong, and good pieces brought good money, as they always do."

A complete list of prices realized is available at www.denveroldwest.com. Additional details from the auction appear below.

Contact: Melissa McCracken
480-779-9378 /press@denveroldwest.com

___________________________________________________________________________________

MORE AUCTION LOT DETAILS:

Personal belt buckles of rodeo legend Jim Shoulders sold in 3 consecutive lots for a total of $27,600 combined, with the first offered bringing an impressive $12,650.

Phone bidding was fast and furious for a unique and finely woven Navajo "cow rug" that brought $8,625 (est. $3,500 - 5,500).

The personal scrapbook of Buffalo Bill's Wild West performer, Jordan Cottle brought $20,700 after a lively battle between bidders on the floor and the phones. Cottle's Wild West presentation Colt Double Action was equally sought after, realizing $26,450 in another contest between the phones and the floor.

The best line of the night was likely heard during the sale of original copies of the divorce depositions between Buffalo Bill Cody and his wife Louisa Cody. When the bidding stalled at $5,000 a ringman exclaimed, "They're the cheapest divorce papers you'll ever get!" They sold for $6,325.

(All prices include buyers' premium.)

July 23, 2011 7th Annual
National Day of the Cowboy

  by Linda Kohn Sherwood, Editor

The mission of the National Day of the Cowboy nonprofit organization is to contribute to the preservation of America's Cowboy heritage so that the history and culture which the United States Congress's National Day of the Cowboy resolution honors, can be shared and perpetuated for the public good, through education, the arts, celebrations, gatherings, rodeos, and community activities.

July 23, 2011 Seventh Annual National Day of the Cowboy

The Cowboy Code: 1 - Live each day with courage. 2 - Take pride in your work. 3 - Always finish what you start. 4 - Do what has to be done. 5 - Be tough, but fair. 6 - When you make a promise, keep it. 7 - Ride for the brand. 8 - Talk less and say more. 9 - Remember that some things aren't for sale. 10 - Know where to draw the line.

An official day honoring the Cowboy and Cowgirl has been observed in America since President George W. Bush issued a letter of support to Wyoming's U.S. Senator, Craig Thomas, stating that July 23, 2005, should be recognized as "a day to celebrate the Cowboy as a symbol of the grand history of the American West. The Cowboy's love of the land and love of the country are examples for all Americans."

In response to that first formal declaration of one Day for the Cowboy, the National Day of the Cowboy nonprofit organization was established in order to pursue permanent passage of the National Day of the Cowboy resolution, so that the fourth Saturday in July would always be recognized as the National Day of the Cowboy. The stated mission of the NDOC organization is to contribute to the preservation of America's Cowboy heritage so that the history and culture which the United States Congress's National Day of the Cowboy resolution honors, can be shared and perpetuated for the public good, through education, the arts, celebrations, gatherings, rodeos, and community activities. It stands to honor history; and the contributions made by cowboys all over the world.

Bethany Braley, the Executive Director of the organization, its Board of Directors, spokespersons, and those who volunteer their time and effort to this cause, are dedicated not only to perpetuating and preserving the 'cowboy' way of life, but also to building community all over the world among the many 'western' enthusiasts who continue to hold this element of America's history in high regard. This international cultural phenomenon is aptly highlighted in the words of the 2008 U.S. House Cowboy Day Resolution which declares, "The love of the Cowboy archetype transcends gender, generations, ethnicity, geographic boundaries, and political affiliation."
 
Last year they were proud to add the Autry National Center to the list of those dedicated to supporting the cause with their annual tradition. This year's event will be held July 23 of course, on the Autry museum grounds.

For more information, or to throw your hat into the ring in support of this great 'tradition' and dedicated organization, as a member or as a volunteer, visit www.nationaldayofthecowboy.org, and contact them through email at info@nationaldayofthecowboy.com 

Photo at top by and copyright Myron Beck.

Jim Nicholls

The Gentleman of Breckenridge     

 

 

By Jayne Skeff

We're going to flash forward to the end of the interview with Jim Nicholls as his closing comments are the best place to start. At the end of the interview, soft-spoken Jim said, "If I can say just one more thing... Aside from hunting big game, the experiences I've had at these shows are some of the highlight of my life. If I can count 100 true friends, 90 of them are in this room." That's one of those statements that gives you goose bumps, that makes all of us remember that it's not just about the "stuff" but, at the core, it's about the people and the journey along the way. For Jim, it's been a journey that began as a boy growing up in Gary, (IN). (Please don't start whistling that song, it's been in my head since the interview)

"I was always interested in history growing up and started collecting as a kid," he recalls. He also always had the "West" in his roots. His family founded the town of Fruita (CO) in 1885 so he was destined, by heritage, to eventually end up immersed in the world of Western Americana. As soon as he finished high school, he "bolted" for Colorado where he earned his degree in forestry and wood management. After a short stint for the US Forest Service, he quickly found that he was an entrepreneur at heart with strong creative abilities. He began to parlay these skills into architectural design then real estate development. It was Breckenridge (CO) that would capture his heart in the early 1960s. It was a historic town at the time on the verge of development. His passion for history and preservation would influence the city's development and his footprint there is very evident today. His heart was captured in Breckenridge in another way as well. It was on the slopes of a Breckenridge ski area that he met Maureen in 1965, the love of his life. They've been inseparable since then, now married for over 40 years.

Maybe we'll just call Jim and Maureen, "Mr. & Mrs. Breckenridge" because they have been instrumental in the careful development of that beautiful Rocky Mountain community. She's renowned as the city historian and Jim does what he can to ensure that old historic buildings are conserved and new buildings keep the same historic flavor. "So many new buildings are being constructed with wood. The reality is though, that in the 1800s, Breckenridge quickly discovered that these buildings burn and brick became the building material of choice," says Jim. It's the wonderful old brick buildings that are the true look of Breckenridge and you'll find any new buildings Jim has had his hand in designing, to be brick and solid brick.

Well, enough about Jim the developer, let's look at Jim the collector. He admits in his early days of collecting, he really didn't know what he was doing or collecting, just that he loved the process. He also admits he made a lot of mistakes but, that through those mistakes, his knowledge has made him an expert. His true love goes to Navajo weavings (he estimates he has bought and sold some 700 over the course of 20 years) and horsehair bridles but it was his gun collecting and collection that put Jim "on the map."  He was one of the original founders of the Colorado Gun Collectors Association and is still active today as a life member of the NBSSCA.

His early years in gun collecting taught him some very important lessons. "The first gun I bought was a Flintlock pistol for $150. I thought I had the real McCoy here. I took it to a show and was quickly told it was a Japanese version valued at $39.95. I still have that gun hanging in my office as a reminder to always question, to never stop learning." And learn he did. At one point, Jim owned what could likely be regarded as one of the most valuable and extensive collections of Marlin Lever Action rifles. "I still have 4 or 5 left, but have sold all of the rest over time. Now, I'm at a point in my life where I buy and collect to keep, not to sell. It's a nice change of pace."

Jim and Maureen are on the go and on the move constantly. When Jim is not in his shop in Breckenridge called "Cowboys & Indians Antiques" he is busy restoring and maintaining the charming original Victorian home in which it is located and the shopping complex he built to complement it.

Jim is truly one of the High Noon "originals" as well. He's been with us since the very first show that was held at the Holiday Inn in Phoenix - wow, now that's history.

Jim Nicholls
Cowboys & Indians Antiques
226 S. Main Street
Breckenridge, CO 80424
www.painthorsegallery.com
(970) 453-6813

 

This month we present cowboy poetry by Bob Frost, Arizona Poet Laureate...