F M Stern Saddlery

Saddlery-Saddle Maker
Opened 1852
San Jose, CA

Established in 1852, The F M Stern Saddlery is one of the oldest & most respected in California. Fred M Stern boasted in his 1909 catalog that he was the only "manufacturer in this line who confines himself entirely to Hand-made Harness, Saddles, Rawhide work, Bits, Spurs and other articles"....an obvious swipe at makers who carried more mass-produced items. Stern employed or represented some of the most accomplished bit & spur maker in California including Mardueno, Flores, Echavarria & Larios & carried a full line of finely braided rawhide in addition to his renowned saddles.

Marcus Stern came from Germany to San Francisco in 1852, and moved to San Jose, where he set up a shop for the construction of saddles, harness, and steamer trunks. He eventually made fire hoses as well. He was one of a number of Jewish immigrants who settled in the town and established businesses. A devout Jew, Stern was active in the establishment of San Jose's first synagogue and the founding of the Hebrew Society. Stern's saddles gained a wide-ranging reputation for quality, and he soon had a large export trade. His business, which moved to various buildings within San Jose, was passed along to the next five generations, making it the oldest surviving family enterprise in Santa Clara County.* Fred M. Stern's name is perhaps the most familiar, since the shop operated under his name for decades. Fred's son Harold took over the family business. Harold married outside the Jewish religion, and from that time, the family adopted the Protestant faith. The Stern family is still active and prominent in San Jose. The business is currently operating under the name Stern's Travel Shop, and sells a wide range of luggage by several manufacturers.

Survivals of Marcus Stern's work are quite rare; in fact, this (09 HN Auction piece) is the only example I've ever seen. It is all the rarer for having the name of the tree maker - Martin Haar of Petaluma - visible through the rawhide of the cantle. According to city records, Haar was in business from the 1860s to the early 1870s. The Marcus Stern piece is an exceptional example of an 1860s California saddle, with its external rigging, outsize tapaderos, exposed horn and cantle, and fine, deep floral carving throughout. It is entirely original, except for the replaced strings; the leather is still supple, with a fine natural patina. It doesn't get much better.

Submitted by Ron Soodalter