2012 High Noon Auction Results

High Noon Western Americana Weekend Sets World Record on Saddle, Realizes Nearly $2 Million on Just 300 Lots

by Jayne Skeff
 
Mesa, Arizona - The High Noon Western Americana Weekend event was held January 28 and 29, 2012 in Mesa, Arizona at the Mesa Convention Center and adjacent Marriott Mesa Hotel. Produced by High Noon of Los Angeles, the two-day event began on Saturday morning when the doors to the High Noon Show opened - an event that showcases over 150 of the finest purveyors of Western Americana antiques, fine art, artifacts, cowboy, vaquero, American Indian, jewelry, clothing and much more. Record attendance was recorded for this 22nd annual event. For two days, shoppers and collectors packed the aisles of the convention center with many dealers reporting this was their best show ever.

While the show was extremely successful, it was the High Noon Auction, held on Saturday evening, which had eyes around the world watching. No one in attendance would be disappointed at the excitement and the dollars realized on the 300+ important lots of Western and Native Americana, fine art, artifacts, historic property and Hollywood memorabilia. The ballroom at the Marriott Mesa Hotel was standing room only as almost $2 million was realized on the lots offered. Bidding was highly competitive from the floor, phone and internet and it was an exciting evening to watch. (Note, all prices reflected here include buyers premium)

The key offering of the sale, which received worldwide media attention, was the rare, historic, silver embroidered saddle that belonged to the infamous renegade and revolutionary hero Pancho Villa. Prior to Villa's assassination in 1923, the magnificent saddle was created for him by renowned Mexican artisans and presented to him.

Smothered in silver-wrapped threads over leather stamp work with boldly-domed silver conchos, the saddle bears the marks of the craftsmen, and on each silver stirrup the carved styled initials of Francisco Villa (Villa's given name) appears.

Offered without reserve, the consignors sat in the audience with great anticipation hoping it would be bought by someone who would share this important piece of history with the world. Estimated to bring $150,000 to $250,000, auctioneer Troy Black opened the bidding at $125,000 and quickly escalated the increments until it became a two-bidder war at $500,000. The bidding competition ensued until the hammer dropped on the winning bid of $625,000 ($718 including buyer's premium) - new world record for a saddle at auction!

Applause and cheers filled the ballroom in honor of the new owner, a passionate south Texas collector who plans on having the saddle on display in a museum (to be announced). To see a video of the sale of the Pancho Villa saddle, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tBFigi3lUY

It was another saddle and en suite spurs that would take second place in prices realized. The elegant and important sterling and gold mounted 1920s Mabel Yorba saddle, custom made by Edward H Bohlin, (Lot 190 - estimated to sell for $60,000 to $90,000) and the Mabel Yorba spurs, custom made Edward H Bohlin (Lot 191 - estimated to sell for $7000-$11,000) earned an impressive $109,000 + $23,000. 

Fine art performed very strong with an Edward Borein (1872-1945) signed watercolor on paper headlining this category. Entitled The Long Drive, (Photo 5) this work sold for $80,500. (Lot 193)

Comin' in the Roundup, (Lot 73) a signed oil on board by Frank McCarthy (1924-2002) took second place in the fine art category earning $44,850. An oil on canvas entitled Self Portrait on Horseback, (Lot 83) by Frank B Hoffman (1888-1958) sold over estimate at $34,500.

The American Indian category had several rich and important offerings. A Southern Cheyenne Beaded Shirt, circa 1870, in yellow ochre native tanned hide (Lot 170) sold for $43,125 and a circa 1890 Sioux Beaded dress (Lot 120) earned $17,250. A stunning and brightly beaded Crow Mirror Bag (Lot 113), circa 1880, also performed very well selling within estimate at $11,500.

High Noon has a reputation for offering the finest in bits, spurs and bridles and this year did not disappoint. Lot 238, a Jesus M Tapia marked Southern California Bit featured his characteristic engraving and trademark tendrils. This pair earned $17,250. The top seller in the bridles offered was a circa 1910 Walla Walla Prison Horsehair Bridle (Lot 263) which sold for double its high estimate at $9,775. And coming in top in the spurs was Lot 285, Montie Montana's personal Bohlin spurs. Purchased by Montie in the late 1930s, these spurs made several appearances in his movies, and over 50 Pasadena Rose Parades and sold nicely for $14,375. And in chaps, the key Lot, #214, was a pair of 1929 Hamley exhibition chaps. At the time they were made, they were the most expensive chaps the Pendleton, Oregon saddlery had ever produced. They sold for well over estimate at $9,200.

Rounding out the top lots at this exciting auction was a parlor gaming chest, (Lot 37). Created by the famed Udall & Ballou of New York, this early 20th century chest sold for $34,500.

A rich piece of both Texas and American history was the very 1st Texas Brand Book (Lot 266) that was offered. Printed in 1865 and one of only four copies known to exist, this sold for an exciting $31,625.

And as always the glory days of the Hollywood cowboys are vied for by bidders and collectors. This year, it was legendary silver screen hero Tom Mix and his personal belt and Bohlin buckle (Lot 121) that flew past its high estimate selling for $20,700.

The record setting prices, combined with the robust and record setting attendance to the weekend event, further confirm this country's and the world's burgeoning appreciation and interest in the finest works that are truly the great American West - our history and our heritage.

For complete prices realized and more information, please visit www.highnoon.com or call the offices of High Noon Los Angeles at (310) 202-9010.