Bill Mackin

What is likely one the world's most extensive and important cowboy and gunfighter collections had been on display at the Museum of Northwest Colorado for a number of years. Bill Mackin, owner of this collection, was preparing to retire from his "real" job as a mental health counselor and started dropping hints to the museum that he would need to begin liquidating, a.k.a. selling, some of these pieces. Well, the Museum and Moffat County was having none of this! They were not about to see their pride and joy and the perfect representation of a region built on the gritty history of the west, be relinquished elsewhere. Moffat County, home to Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid among other notorious types, is all about cowboys and gunfighters and the collection was going to stay where it was. And yes indeed, it has. The local government and community raised the money to buy this amazing collection outright from Bill and Mickee and, as Bill puts it, "Now I can have my cake and eat it too! Everyday, I can go see it and be part of it but I've got the money in the bank."

It's this delightful humor and tenacity that makes Bill such a treasure in the world of the Wild, Wild West. But how did it all begin? These are always the best parts of the story.

Well, for Bill, it began at the age of 9, growing up in the Salt Lake Valley. He had a belt with a silver buckle, which a schoolmate coveted. His schoolmate had a Top Break pistol which Bill wanted - the trade was done and Bill's life of collecting began. It was at the age of 15 that Bill stumbled upon a gun which now resides in the permanent collection at the Museum. He was in a bar (I didn't inquire why he was in a bar at the age of 15...) and saw a very rare 15 inch barrel highwall Winchester Rifle under the cash register. It was illegal to own this weapon at the time and it took Bill another 15 years to be able to buy it and another 7 years to clear the ATF - that's dedication to collecting.

While over the past 50 years Bill has amassed this amazing collection, for him, it's always been about the story behind the pieces, the research, the owners and the makers. Even as a young boy, his thirst for knowledge of the authenticity and history of gunfighter gear made him a bit of a Hollywood movie critic or, as he puts it, the smart Alec in the front row of the theater who could tell you that there was no way that gun even existed during the Civil War - they're using the wrong gun in the movie...He has story after story about Hollywood's mistakes.

Bill has spent a life collecting but also sharing his knowledge with the world. In 1989, he published the most comprehensive book on the subject entitled Cowboys and Gunfighter Collectibles. A quick search finds this book available at Amazon, et al. He has written over 100 articles for national magazines and for 5 years had a regular column in Trail's End Magazine.

While his massive collection may now reside in the Museum of Northwest Colorado, his passion for the life of the gunfighter and cowboy still remains.

Among the many pieces housed in the permanent collection is the finest known Bridgeport Rig on a J.S. Collins Cheyenne belt and a very rare Mexican loop holster by E.L. Gallatin. Oh yes, and the 15" barrel high wall Winchester that took him 22 years to own is there too.

Craig, Colorado is where you'll find the Museum of Northwest Colorado, located in famous Moffat County, today, home to world-class dude ranches and hunter clubs. Yes, the West still lives on in Moffat County and Bill Mackin's collection is an important part of that world and ours.

The Museum of Northwest Colorado
590 Yampa Avenue
Craig, CO 81625
(970) 824-6360
www.museumnwco.org

Norm and Jeanine Moldenhauer

Is there anything quite more infectious than the full belly laugh of Norm Moldenhauer? Sunny. Charming. Genuine. That's Norm and wife Jeanine and, for over 14 years, High Noon has been honored to have them as treasured members of our family.

But don't let that "sunny" disposition fool you. Norm is, hands down, one of the foremost experts in Indian baskets and the world of Western and Cowboy collecting. Ask Norm about art or arrowheads and his astounding in-depth knowledge casually comes to the surface.

Norm opened his first store, Treasure Trails Indian Shop, in 1966 inside the Disneyland Hotel. But that was just the beginning. In 1967, he opened Norm's Trading Post in South Laguna (CA) where he acquired his first major collection of 360 Indian baskets. This was one of the largest and most important collections to ever come on the market and Norm jumped at the opportunity to own it. He purchased the collection for $11,000, then sold it for double the price...Today, that collection would easily fetch $300,000!

In 1974, Norm opened Southwestern Antiques & Gallery in Laguna Beach. It was during this time that he was able to buy the Eugenia Foster Collection of 1,800 baskets - the largest private collection to have ever been sold.

Norm may be all about baskets, but Jeanine holds her own chatting expertly about beaded Indian dresses, saddles, bits and spurs. An unstoppable team for over 27 years.

What a life they have had, the people they have met and adventures experienced, all which have fueled their passion and their knowledge.

For 28 years, Norm was a member of the Rancheros Visitadores. His role as saddle repair expert gave him the opportunity to know and share the experience of the 18-mile journey with the likes of Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, and Ronald Reagan to name just a few. While Norm stopped riding "the ride" about 5 years ago, it does his heart good to know his son Hal has stepped into his "un"fillable shoes. Hal's been on the ride for 13 years now and counting.

While today Norm and Jeanine are "retired" (that just means they no longer have a store) their schedules are full, doing shows across the country sharing their knowledge and their amazing collections. When asked if he loves to dance? Oh, there's that belly laugh and a story behind it that he's just not sharing...

From all of us at High Noon, we look forward to at least another 14 years of Norm and Jeanine and their infectious energy and pure sunshine around them.

Mary Nyholm-Vidano
MC Antiques

Mary Nyholm-Vidano has an enchanting way of bringing refinement and elegance into this rough and tumble world of the Great Wild West.

Mary's love and appreciation of Native American works goes back to her childhood. Her grandparents would spend their summers on a Navajo reservation working with the Indians and Mary would wait impatiently in Seattle for their return. She loved the materials, textiles, fabrics they would bring back for her. While her life evolved into other directions, that being a professional tennis player, her heart always went back to her love of the American Indian and the American West.

Post the pro-tennis circuit and now married and living in beautiful Boulder, Colorado, as she tells it "I needed something to do." "I started collecting the finest Western antiques I could find and then, as so typically happens, I became a dealer." Mary joined the "show circuit" doing Brimfield, Heart O' Country and yes, High Noon. She's been part of our family for 15 years. Each year, she comes to the show with her beautiful Bohlin buckles, Native American textiles and a wealth of finely selected and finely crafted Western antiques and artifacts.

Mary also specializes in old hickory furniture and a look at her website shows a wealth of hickory furnishings from chairs to tables to the very unusual.

The show bug captured her to an even greater extent. Mary partnered with long time friend and fellow dealer Cynthia Brooks who specializes in early Americana. Together, they decided to produce their own shows and created MC Presents. Today, as a team, they produce six art and antiques shows a year in locations such as Vail, Jackson Hole and Sun Valley.

When Mary's not doing producing or exhibiting at shows, she's traveling the world with her husband of 21 years whose career takes him (and her along) to the far reaches of the globe. Last year, their travels took them to Cambodia, Thailand and Dubai.

She's elegant, she's smart, she's fun and she's a true treasure of our High Noon family.

Mary Nyholm-Vidano
MC Antiques
www.mcpresents.com
mary@mcpresents.com
(303) 570-9763

Ted Birbilis and
Sandy Raulston

When you step into the Roadside America booth at the High Noon show, walls dripping in fine Native American textiles and exquisite early California antiques, you wouldn't suspect that 28 years ago, Ted was selling advertising and toys at the Dallas Fair Park Show where he met Sandy who was peddling early Americana and painted furniture just a few stalls down from Danny Neill. The stories are always so interesting and the evolution of lives inspiring. But the name Roadside America is most befitting of the 28 years Ted and Sandy have shared a life together and built a thriving business collecting, buying and selling along the two-lane blacktops that criss-cross this country. "In the early years," Ted recalls, "we'd run the roads buying from local collectors and doing shows like Round Top when there were only 25 dealers."

Yes, they've done their time at Brimfield and shows across the country, from Nashville to the Rose Bowl, along the way, refining their direction and their passion. Spending the majority of their time in the East, most snowbirds went to Florida but they chose Southern California finally landing in Los Angeles where they established themselves as experts in the genres of Native American, and California antiques. "As anyone in this business knows," says Ted, "you have to continually re-invent yourself, be a chameleon, to survive." And survive they have, from roadside collectors to a thriving Los Angeles business where they developed A-list clientele to producers of the elegant Golden California Antiques Show.

Well, anyone who knows Ted and Sandy, won't be surprised to hear that moss won't be growing under their feet anytime soon! Santa Fe has always been in their hearts, particularly Sandy's heart, who has repeatedly stated, "Someday, we're getting out of LA and moving to Santa Fe." Well, that day has come and a very exciting one it is.

In a move that seemed destined to be, Ted and Sandy have pulled up their LA stakes and have moved to Santa Fe where, in late April, they will open the doors to their new gallery - The Americana Trading Company - located in the heart of Santa Fe's new trendy arts and entertainment district. Featured in a January issue of the Sunday New York Times travel section, Santa Fe's Railyard District is where you can find them now.

The Americana Trading Company is a very exciting partnership between Ted and Sandy and Eliot and Toni Michael of Rumble Seat Music, Ithaca, New York. The gallery will be an entirely new experience, fresh and exciting, incorporating the finest American Indian and Southwest art and furnishings and fabulous vintage guitars and exquisite decoratives and jewelry.

Yup, the chameleons are on the move again and we can't wait to see the magic they create when the doors to The Americana Trading Company open. Watch out Santa Fe - here come Ted and Sandy!

Ted Birbilis & Sandy Raulston
The Americana Trading Company
340 Read Street (corner of Guadalupe & Read)
Santa Fe, NM
tednsandy@earhtlink.net

Reggie and Kay Sawyer
Hanging Tree Gallery

Walk into Reggie and Kay Sawyer's booth at the High Noon Show and you immediately feel embraced by a genuine warmness - it's like you stepped into the coziest of living rooms where everyone is welcome. Kay's soft-spoken demeanor complemented with Reggie's mischievous twinkle make them a most engaging pair, two people passionate about what they do and what they collect.

Art from deceased New Mexico artists such as Ben Turner and contemporary artists such as Hector Morales fill their walls. They both have the amazing ability to look at one of their paintings and imagine the story it's telling. They thrive on the life the scenes and characters play in these works - no, you won't find any abstracts in their gallery...

It all began after Reggie retired from the military in 1980 when they moved to New Mexico. Kay had always been an antiquer specializing in traditional furniture until they became enamored with the culture and heritage of New Mexico, the Native Americans and the American West. They switched their "collecting gears" quickly focusing on Cowboy and Indian, from fine art to artifacts.

They look for things that reflect the heart and soul of the person who created it. Whether it's an Indian basket or painting of a village in New Mexico,  "every piece is one of a kind and we can't replace what we sell. That's what makes this so important to us and so special," says Kay.

Married 39 years, Reggie and Kay have two children and 3 grandchildren with one another on the way. They love their life and their work. If ever in Old Town Albuquerque, make sure to stop into Hanging Tree Gallery. Pottery, Navajo rugs, fine art and yes, that embracing warmness will make you glad you did.

They've been part of our High Noon family for over 10 years and we look forward to sharing our 30th Anniversary with them!

Reggie & Kay Sawyer
Hanging Tree Gallery
416 Romero N.W.
Old Town Albuquerque, NM 87104
(505) 842-1420

Danny and Dina Neill

In doing an interview for Smoke Signals, there's a certain format we writers try to adhere to in gleaning the pertinent information we need to create a story. Just 30 seconds into the phone interview with Danny, it was clear those guidelines were going to be tossed out the proverbial window. Rarely in life, does one get the opportunity to feel the energy and passion an individual has for what they do, literally electrifying the phone line. That's Danny and his wife and life partner Dina.

Danny's been a centrifugal force in the last 20 years of High Noon. Dealer yes, but so much more than that. Many know Danny for his world-class collection of Mexican Charros, but it's his passion behind what he sells that sets him apart.

To Danny, it's not the specific pieces or stuff, it's what they represent. Danny's real goal in life is to educate people about and preserve the rich Mexican history, which is the foundation for the American Cowboy and its legacy. Few people really know that it was the Mexican Vaqueros who were the original cowboys. They brought horses from Europe, they brought in the cattle and they created the foundation of the craftsmanship used to create the saddles, the bits and the spurs. It's this history and the preservation of this heritage that is center most to Danny's heart.

For the past 40 years, he has been collecting, buying and selling, visiting Mexico 5 to 6 times each year. "These aren't trips where you run down, buy stuff and come back and sell them. It's a process of relationship-building with the people: staying in their homes, getting to know them and their story." It's the stories that hold the key to the value of the stuff - otherwise, it's just stuff.

Danny has had many enriching and also frightening travel experiences which he felt best not to share, other than one time when he had to change his shorts. We can only imagine. He did mention one trip, hours and hours long on a bus through rural Mexico, where he shared his seat with a goat and had to hold a woman's chickens...

His experiences, his knowledge and his commitment to furthering a deeper understanding of Mexican heritage is what has finally brought him national recognition. In the fall, he was invited to be a guest lecturer at the National Cowboy Museum in Oklahoma City and he was a smashing success! Museums across America and Mexico have been in touch with him since to participate in their educational programs, and he recently got a call from the Smithsonian who is interested in working with him on a special exhibit of Mexican Charros - congratulations Danny!

And then there's his fabulous wife Dina. Vintage clothing diva, and dealer, who draws buyers from around the world for her spectacular collections of cowboy and couture vintage fashions. You can catch her each month at the Rose Bowl where the "Hollywood" types race to buy her latest offerings.

It was her Cowboy clothing that led to Danny and Dina meeting. Over 20 years ago, Danny would buy from Dina and, lo and behold, that was kismet. Four years later they married. Not your typical wedding either. They married in Cody, WY during Brian Lebel's Cody Old West Show. A whole entourage assembled at the Cody Court House to share this event and Brian Lebel was Danny's witness. When vows were said and the marriage license was signed, the judge looked at Brian and told him he signed where the groom should. So, the question remains, is Dina married to Danny or Brian?

Danny and Dina Neill, an unstoppable team, of the highest integrity, passion, and, oh yes, spectacular stuff.

Bill Reynolds
He "looks to the past to create the future..."

All of us who were at the High Noon Auction last February in Phoenix were no doubt taken by the warm and embracing speech given by Bill Reynolds who recounted the life and legacy of his father, John T Reynolds, whose life and work was devoted to ensuring that the integrity and traditions of the West remain alive. Perhaps his father was known as an ambassador for the Western lifestyle but today, William C (aka Bill) Reynolds has not only stepped into his father's shoes, but has taken those shoes (or, ahem, boots) to a new level for cultivating that legacy.

Bill's father taught him at an early age that "passion is the wood putty of life." Talk to Bill for just a few minutes, and his passion for the West and the people who drive that culture today is magnificent and infectious. His energy is unstoppable and his mission admirable.

Bill grew up in Los Angeles and spent a good deal of time as a boy with his grandfather who - in the early 1900s - ranched in Tucson where he worked side by side with the Papago Indians and came to quickly love and respect their culture. As a young man back in Los Angeles, Bill met Edward Bohlin, an opportunity he directly attributes to his father's position in the TV industry. While Bill recalls, "Bohlin could be a cranky fellow," he persisted in developing this relationship and through it, became deeply involved in the traditions of the American cowboy craft. So much so, that by the early 1990s, Bill and his father John bought the Bohlin Company. They eventually sold it but that experience catapulted Bill deeper into the world of the Western Lifestyle, which has become not only his work but his life.

It was in the early 1990s that Bill met Robert Hartman whom he helped grow an ad base for Hartman's then groundbreaking Cowboys & Indians magazine, a publication that would bring to the forefront, the "high-end" world of the Western Lifestyle. Bill fulfilled the role of Associate Publisher at Cowboys & Indians from 2000 to 2007. It was then he was approached by the Paragon Foundation in New Mexico, whose sole mission is to support the true meaning of the Constitution and protect the right of those individuals who continue to sustain and create a living in the Western traditions of the cowboy against incredible odds. To that end, the Paragon Foundation, with Bill's energy behind them, launched The Cowboy Way magazine in the Fall of 2008, a stunning yet important quarterly publication that honors and supports the American Cowboy. Bill Reynolds is proud to be the editor of this magazine, which, in short order, has won national awards.

Bill Reynolds knows that the integrity and traditions of the American Cowboy have reached the hearts and souls of people across this planet. It's not region specific for Bill, but rather it's the culture of a people who, as single individuals, build a relationship with the land and the animals - and that influence is worldwide and world-embraced. The traditions of the Western American Cowboy and the Western American Lifestyle "make the world a smaller and much richer place."

Bill Reynolds, Proponent and Supporter of the Great American West, lives in Southern California with his beautiful family: his wife and two daughters.

Bill Reynolds
wcreynolds@mac.com

Jacqué Smiley
Western Vintage Revival
Altus, Oklahoma

For over 20 years, Jacqué has been creating the most beautiful jewelry, incorporating her eye for high design with her passion for heritage and history. She’s pure Oklahoma-born-and-raised and her designs are influenced by her deep Western roots. But what they truly reflect is her unstoppable energy to create pieces to be worn by the most stylish women world-wide. From Sydney to Paris to New York, necks are dripping in Jacqué Smiley designs.

It doesn’t take but a minute of talking with Jacque’ to know she’s all heart and soul. One look at the home page of her website reveals a woman whose family roots is center to her life. She may be the creator of sterling masterpieces but the background on her website is the hand-tooled leather from the saddle from her “granddaddy’s daddy”, the very one on which she learned to ride.

So how did Jacqué begin creating jewelry from china and antiques? “I married a Yankee” she says with an edge. “We ended up living in the antiques capital of the country, Lancaster County, PA, for 10 years.” While living there, she spent time learning about antiques from the wealth of experts in the area who were more than eager to share their knowledge. She began to look at the beautiful old traditional china patterns like Flo Blue and Transferware. Inspired by their delicate patterns and beautiful designs, she began to create a line using tiny pieces from these china patterns as the “jewels” in her jewelry.

To further her work, she took silversmithing classes and became a master engraver and designer. The combination? Jacqué Smiley’s signature and original line of charm-laden necklaces and bracelets all created using pieces of china and sterling. Her signature “spoon” bracelets are another drop-dead gorgeous creation from her endless creative mind. Wonder what to do with the sterling silver flatware you inherited or really don’t use anymore? Have Jacqué create jewelry from these pieces — fabulous bracelets, watch bands — they always turn heads. Jacque’ will also create pieces just for you from your family china or sterling. A perfect way to preserve your heritage while looking high fashion at the same time.

Now, safely back from “Yankee world” and working in her studio in Oklahoma, Jacqué’s line of jewelry designs is extensive. Pages of spectacular designs fill her website with new creations continually added. Her newest line called “Bad to the Bone” is rock star worthy and very cutting edge. Beyond her website, Jacqué’s work is featured at top boutiques across the country from New York, to Jackson Hole to Los Angeles. But her success hasn’t changed her in the least. She’s still that embracing Oklahoma girl whose genuine energy is infectious, who is always looking to mentor an up and coming artisan and who is one of the best ambassadors for the Western Lifestyle.

Jacqué Smiley
Western Vintage Revival
Altus, OK
(580) 379-9060
www.westernvr.com
vintagerevival@sbcglobal.net

PHOTOS: Always a show stopper at the Western Design Conference in Jackson Hole, WY, pictured here are two of her competition pieces from the 2009 and 2010 event. These are fine examples of her ever-evolving designs to captivate stylish women worldwide.

Howard Knight
Rocking K Custom Leather,
Stevensville, Montana

Perfection with an eye to the classic Western floral style, that is what goes into the works of art created by Howard Knight. Works of art that we see as boots, purses and belts but what he sees as his passion and life-long dream.

Today, one of the country's best leather toolers, he began his journey as a young boy in 4-H learning leather craft. With an obvious natural ability and artistic talent, he then trained under master leather carver Ray Pohja, perfecting his skill. For several years, Howard did this only as a hobby as his "real job" as an electrician consumed most of his time. A work related injury took Howard out of the electrical game for a while. To fill his time off, he began designing and creating his leather works of art we know today. Soon, he had so much business that he said good-bye to "Howard the electrician" and hello to Howard Knight, Rocking K Custom Leather. Woo-Hoo! - and the world is a more beautiful place because he did!

It was about this time 8 or so years ago that Howard realized he needed to get out in the show world to market his amazing creations. He had heard of the High Noon Western Americana Show so he flew down to Mesa and checked it out. Taken by the quality and energy of the show, Howard knew this was a good fit for him and he's been part of the High Noon family ever since.

Howard's artistic creations in leather are inspired by his love for nature and fly-fishing. It's the natural rhythms and elegance of the water that are reflected in what he creates. "It's hard to explain" he says, "but it's almost like the designs just come out of my hands." A look at his work reveals those hands are pretty amazing.

Howard is also inspired and thrives on collaborating with other artists on projects such as Lisa Sorrell, Susan Adams and Doug Magnus. Everything Howard does is original and meticulously done by hand. His work is featured in shops in Vail, Santa Fe and Jackson Hole where our own Mary Schmitt features him at Cayuse (we just love these connections and our High Noon family!) It was his exposure at the shop in Vail however, that put Howard over the top. A rather wealthy gentleman noticed his work there and Howard received the commission to create a special pair of boots for him. 780 hours later the masterpiece was done and Howard hit the six-figure mark for a single pair of boots! Well done!!

We don't have to worry about that going to his head though. Howard is one of the most genuine and genuinely original Western men.

Howard Knight
Rocking K Custom Leather
3443 Baldwin Road
Stevensville, MT 59870
(406) 777-3542
howard.knight@montana.com
www.rockingkcustomleather.com

PHOTOS:
Briefcase: This fabulous briefcase is destined for its new owner in Dallas for a cool $18,000
Pure Luxury: These boots are the result of the collaborative effort between Howard Knight and Lisa Sorrell. Good team effort indeed!

Mary Schmitt, Cayuse Western Americana

Cowgirl, Collector and Conservationist

Each month Smoke Signals gives special focus to one of our High Noon dealers in our Dealer Spotlight feature. In our Inner Cowgirl column, we take a look at the women who help drive the energy of our Western world. Well, this month, we feature someone who fits both. If you believe in past lives, you can be assured that Mary Schmitt was one of those daring and dedicated women who, along side their cowboy counterparts, helped tame the Wild West in the 1800s.

Southern California born and raised to parents who were antique aficionados, Mary was no stranger to collecting. She attributes her passion for history and antiques to her mother Barbara (who we all know from the shows) and her father Jim (whom few have ever seen and most believe really doesn’t exist - Mary assures us he does).

Mary lived the corporate lifestyle working for high tech companies as a marketing executive for several years. Funny, she reflects, that by day she was part of creating products that would be obsolete in 6 months but on the weekends, she spent her time passionately searching flea markets and antique shows in the quest for treasures that have endured the years.

The beauty of Western Wyoming was always in her dreams. She and her family would vacation often in Jackson Hole and she knew, somehow, some day, that would be her home. Her parents had that same dream and they moved there in the late 1980s.

So how do you make the switch from high tech exec to cowgirl extraordinaire? Out antiquing in L A one day with her mom in the 80’s, they stumbled upon a spectacular vintage cowgirl skirt. It was love at first sight and her career in cowgirl, cowboy and American Indian collecting began.

She started by buying and selling and educating herself on the weekends at markets in and around Southern California — embracing the history and amassing all the knowledge she could about this collecting genre. And then it happened, as it does to most of us, she couldn’t live the “double life” anymore and new it was time to live her dream.

With her parents and family already in Jackson Hole, she took the plunge, said goodbye to corporate America and joined them in Jackson. Beginning first by working out of her home she quickly knew she had to get a gallery to really make her mark. Cayuse Western Americana opened its doors in 1997 and it has become life, her passion and her livelihood.

She attributes her success to understanding that being a retail location in a tourist city does not necessarily guarantee success. She actually attributes her ability to survive the early years to the High Noon Show and the Cody Old West Show where she networked, made the contacts and met the buyers that sustained her. A funny note she recalls was at the first High Noon Show, she was in her booth and a gentleman was looking around. He then excused himself explaining he would return when her father was there. She laughs at this – just one of the many reminders she was treading into male dominated territory.

Flash forward 13 years later, Cayuse Western Americana is thriving and Mary is considered one of the country’s experts in cowgirl, cowboy and Native American antiques. Her personal cowgirl collection is now part of the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame in Ft Worth, TX.

She also is very proud to represent some of the finest new artisans in the Western tradition such as Clint Orms and Susan Adams. Cayuse represents the best of the old and the finest of the new.

Mary’s life has been enriched through her life in the world of Western Americana. “I respect the people who originally owned these pieces.” She also comments that everyone in our Western family are just truly wonderful and genuine people.

When she’s not at the Gallery? Mary is a cowgirl herself. She spends as much time riding her horse Gambler with dog Pearl alongside. She is part of the Jackson Hole “Citizens Mounted Unit” which supports law enforcement on horseback. She just loves wearing her uniform, riding Gambler proudly for the tourists to enjoy. Mary also spends a great deal of her free time working with handicapped children employing Pearl as her sidekick.

She’s living her dream, both where she lives and what she does and she wouldn’t change a thing.

Mary Schmitt
Cayuse Western Americana
255 N. Glenwood Avenue
Jackson Hole, Wy 83001
(307) 739-1940
www.cayusewa.com

John Upton Holden, aka Dirty Hats John

“It was about twenty years ago, I was at this show in Amarillo, TX and this girl came up to me. She had this look in her eye and in her very convincing way, you know how she can be, she asked me if I wanted to head up the membership committee for the NBSSCA. I didn’t know anything about bits, spurs or saddles but there I was, agreeing to head up the membership committee for an organization I knew nothing about. That girl? That girl was Linda Kohn.” And there was born the beginning of John’s lifelong relationship with High Noon. That brief meeting pretty much changed the direction of his life. And, apparently John picked up some information about bits, spurs and saddles along the way for today, he’s serving his fourth year as President of the NBSSCA. Pride twinkles in his eye when he talks about the Association, the work they do and the role he feels honored to play.

Born and raised in Lamar County, TX, John (as one can only imagine) was a bit of a wild child. He loved riding bareback, loved rodeos and would compete in a circuit of weekend Jackpot Shows, winning some and losing some but having the time of his life. His “mamma” who wasn’t overly thrilled at the idea of his activities, would pretend she didn’t know where he was going but always on his return, she’d ask how he did.

Well, he had to grow up sometime so he put his tenacious ability to sell anything to anyone to good use. He became the leading salesman for a well-known women’s clothing company, JH Collectibles of Milwaukee, WI where he had buyers from top retail chains like Marshall Fields, Macy’s and Gimbles clamoring for his product. Hard to envision John in the hard-core corporate role but oh, he did it very well. As he tells it, eventually JH Collectibles sold themselves to another company and the new management “fired my ass.”

Now John had always been a collector of Western antiques and hats in particular so this was his chance to go off on his own and turn his hobby into his work — he never looked back. Today he lives in Dallas with his collections for sale at the “Lost Antiques Mall” there and works tirelessly in his role as president of the NBSSCA.

John exhibits at shows across the Western US (including High Noon) and has a ball doing them — selling dirty hats and “holding court” with insatiable conversations. And you’ll always see him with “the girl he runs with whose name is Maddie” – she’s absolutely charming with her four legs and wagging tail…”

So, what’s a dirty hat? “Well, I buy real cowboy hats, give them to real cowboys to wear for a while, they give them back to me and I sell ‘em.”

The dirty hats are real and so is John Upton Holden — real cowboy, real gentleman and REAL’ important to us.

John Upton Holden
President, NBSSCA
P.O. Box 1969
Addison, TX 75001
jholden@tx.rr.com
www.nbssca.org

RG (Ron) Munn

Auctioneer, Savvy Indian Collector and Great Teller of Stories

After chatting with RG about the life and times of RG Munn, one’s ribs hurt from laughing so hard. His experiences are vast, his collecting knowledge rich – 40 years in the business and 40,000 stories to share. So many it’s hard to choose so let’s begin and set the tone with the one about Olaf Weighorst…

Years ago, when RG’s shop was just 3 blocks away from Olaf Weighorst’s gallery, Weighorst would frequent his shop trading RG sketches for Indian items at $35 a pop. On one occasion many years ago, Weighorst did a water-wash sketch of Munn. Well, as things happen, along the way, he had to sell it. Years later, RG made a visit to Olaf’s studio up the street to see if he could possibly get another. Olaf quickly and curtly notified him that he already did one and that he’d never have another. OH MY. To add salt to that wound as RG tells it, Olaf’s wife, who was there at the time and nearing her 80s, came traipsing into the studio from their home in her bikini — “I didn’t know a body could wrinkle that much”— he recalls in near hysterics. No, he never got another sketch from Olaf Weighorst but he did get one he has treasured forever from Ace Powell on one of his trips to Montana (that’s yet another story for another day…)

It was 40 years ago and RG was a gun dealer on the gun show circuit, earning a living for he and his family. On one occasion, a buyer wanted to trade some Indian goods for one of his guns. Okay, done. Well, it turns out that people wanted to buy this Indian “stuff” so RG quickly figured there’s money in this. He started running ads to buy Indian collections and voraciously began studying everything he could about collecting in this field. Goodbye guns — hello Indian artifacts.

As RG recalls, he got extremely lucky with one collection that would set his career in stone. It’s always a fluke that seems to get the ball rolling. His daughter’s Sunday school teacher called one day to say his father had an enormous Indian collection and would he be interested. His father had been a wood inlayer and the collection included an inlaid trunk containing all of his tools and, oh yes, a fully quilled Sioux cradle.

“Yes, I’ve found some treasures along the way. Some I’ve kept, some I’ve sold.” The treasure for all of us is that he’s part of our family. When RG arrives, the show begins. It’s his infectious personality, always sunny disposition and serious depth of commitment that makes us proud that he’s part of High Noon.

When he’s not High Nooning? RG’s busy running auctions from his Alamagordo, NM gallery — about 18 a year is what he hosts. With wife Julie at his side, son Ronnie Guy and his wife Christy, daughter Bambi and husband Mark and a virtual bevy of grandchildren, RG Munn Auctions is truly a family affair. In between all this, you’ll find him at other shows including Marin and Del Mar – enlightening and enlivening these events with those stories and that smile.

RG Munn Auction, LLC
1000 Zuni Drive
Alamogordo, NM 88310
(575) 434-8861
rgmunnauc@pvtnetworks.net

Ilene and Bruce Johnson, Mystic Warriors

It’s no surprise to us that a practicing attorney (Ilene) and daily newspaper executive for 28 years (Bruce) are the foundation behind Mystic Warriors — one of the country’s most renowned resources for Northern and Southern Plains Indian art, antiques and artifacts.

Well, everyone has to have a “day job” but their passion for Native American culture goes back over 30 years. Bruce first became interested in collecting and trading during his college days in Montana where his roommate was a Crowe Indian. Immediately following college, Bruce took a teaching job on the Crowe Indian reservation where he worked for two years before moving back to his native Illinois to begin his newspaper career. It was at this point, back in Chicago that he met his wife Ilene. Mainstream professionals by day, their first dates were arrow hunting excursions (how romantic Bruce). Lucky for him, his passion for Native American culture became hers, so much so that she went on to obtain her Masters in Indian Studies and today routinely consults with several museums. Bruce took a position with the Rocky Mountain News bringing them to Colorado where they live today. (He’s now retired but she still practices law.)

Together, 20 years ago, they formed Mystic Warriors – their true mutual passion. Their focus is on authentic Sioux, Comanche and Apache art, antiques and artifacts and their clients span the globe. As members of the Antique Tribal Art Dealers Association, ensuring the authenticity and integrity of their collection and offerings is of the utmost importance to them. Their gallery in Evergreen (CO) is just 30 minutes outside of Denver and they still enjoy doing the shows including High Noon, Cody Old West, Marin and Santa Fe.

High Noon is honored that they have been part of our show and family for 15 years and we look forward to many, many more.

Bruce & Ilene Johnson
Mystic Warriors
P.O. Box 3353
Evergreen, CO 80439
(303) 670-4402
mwarriors@aol.com

Lewis Bobrick, Lewis Bobrick Antiques

We just call him " Lew-Bob"

Lewis Bobrick, "Lew-Bob" to us at High Noon, has been an integral part of our family for a very long time (well, not that long, we're not old enough☺). While he's only been doing the High Noon Show for five years, we met Lewis over 15 years ago "setting up in Santa Fe" when he was just getting into the business, selling Indian rugs and jewelry.

How he even got into the world of collecting Native American was a bit of a fluke. As he tells it, he was originally a Persian rug dealer. Along his hunts he kept finding Native American rugs and realized "they were really cool." And the rest, as they say, is history.

Flash forward to 2009 and "Lew-Bob" is known nation-wide for his fine Native American and Mexican jewelry, and for the two things he is most passionate about - Indian beadwork and textiles. His gallery in Denver is filled with fine pottery, baskets, art, folk art and yes, that exquisite jewelry.

What started out by accident has become not only his livelihood but his life. Lucky for him for as he tells it: "The only two things I know how to do are build houses or be an antiques dealer - I'd be in real trouble if I had to be building houses right now."

When asked how he feels about the High Noon Show? "I always have so much fun and my expectations are always exceeded." Yes, we love you Lew-Bob!

Lewis Bobrick
Lewis Bobrick Antiques
1213 East 4th Avenue
Denver, CO 80218
(303) 744-9203
www.lewisbobrickantiques.com
lewis@lewisbobrickantiques.com

Roger and Carolyn Baker, Antiques of the West

High Noon Dealers and Newlyweds!

First, from all of us at High Noon, we want to wish Roger and Carolyn the warmest of congratulations on their wedding! Roger and Carolyn were married in December after nine years of developing a friendship that would last a lifetime.

Roger has been part of our High Noon family since the first show. He admits to being "addicted" to just about everything that represents the history of the Wild West but he tries to limit his selection to the best of the best - sterling silver match safes to cigar cutters with fine spurs in the mix as well.

And Carolyn? Always a lover of history, hanging out with Roger for the past nine years has put the antique bug in her as well. Carolyn's passion lies in music however. She both writes music and plays piano with several recordings in her repertoire.

As for Roger, his reel love is " chasing big fish with small bugs" aka - fly fishing. Whenever you see him at a show he is either coming back from or planning his next fishing expedition, always with a big smile on his face!

Together? They love spoiling their two dogs, Spikey and Hobo.

Congratulations again Roger and Carolyn!

Roger and Carolyn Baker
Antiques of the West
P.O. Box 716, Chicago, Park, CA 95712
(530) 272-3505

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.

Jack’s entry into the rich history of the West started as a child when his family moved to New Mexico. He “rodeo’d a bit as a child” but ultimately became an electrician spending a good deal of time on a Navajo Indian reservation. It was during this time when he began to acquire an in depth knowledge of fine Native American crafts, jewelry, horse accoutrement and yes, antique guns. He opened his first trading post in Gallup, NM in 1968 right along Route 66. One thing led to the next and Jack opened one of the first antique shops in Santa Fe, NM which he kept for many years. The store, named Gallery of the West, was located in the richly historic Candelaria Building in Santa Fe, the site of the oldest trading post in the United States. It was the perfect location for a man so respectful of the history and heritage of this country.

1980 was a particularly busy year for Jack. He was instrumental in founding the Colt Collectors Association that year and is one of its first 50 charter members. That same year, Jack was also involved in starting the NBSSCA and is also one of its original founding members.

1984 was another banner year for Jack, the year he married Rita, who’s been at his side at almost all of the High Noon shows. Jack and Rita have two children and one granddaughter whom they adore.

Jack’s appreciation, knowledge and commitment to preserving the legacy of the American West are what makes him such an endearing member of our High Noon family.

Jack Slaughter
Gallery of the West
P.O. Box 5582
Santa Fe, NM 87502
(505) 983-8929

Ray Huffman, Broken Heart Trading Company

High Noon Dealer | High Noon Staff | Artist Braider
www.brokenhearttrading.com

Ray has been an integral part of the High Noon family since 1991 when he first started exhibiting at the 2nd show in Arizona in 1991. At that time, Ray was primarily a trader in “Cowboy” antiques. The name Broken Heart Trading reflects the personality of pieces he sells, many of which honor the “Cowgirl”.  Behind the scenes however, he was practicing the art of braiding, studying under the best including Ed Pass. Today, Ray Huffman, while still a “Cowboy trader” is known nation-wide for his braided reins, quirts, hackamores and other horse accoutrement. His braid work hangs in private collections around the country and are also on display at the Don King Western Museum in Sheridan, WY.

It’s that natural artist in him that, his eye for design that is invaluable to the High Noon auction. Each year, it’s Ray who helps takes “all this stuff that arrives in boxes” and creates and auction preview room as beautiful as any museum exhibit.

When Ray’s not “High Nooning?” He’s living the life he loves in the cabin he built in Athens County, Ohio, raising horses, braiding leather and “riding and roping” with a close circle of loyal friends. Ray’s braided gear is only available by special order and his website is a wonderful representation of the products he creates. But note, he prefers a call over an email. As he states on the home page of his website: “I’m a braider, not a typist.”