HIGH NOON’S WESTERN AMERICANA AUCTION BIDS “HAPPY TRAILS” TO THE RECESSION! Mesa, AZ — It was "Happy Trails" to the recession at High Noon's 20th Anniversary Show & Auction held January 30 & 31, 2010 in Mesa, Arizona as 150+ dealers reaped the benefits of record attendance pr
News-Antique.com - Feb 05,2010 - HIGH NOON’S WESTERN AMERICANA AUCTION BIDS “HAPPY TRAILS” TO THE RECESSION!
Mesa, AZ — It was "Happy Trails" to the recession at High Noon's 20th Anniversary Show & Auction held January 30 & 31, 2010 in Mesa, Arizona as 150+ dealers reaped the benefits of record attendance propelled by the Roy Rogers Museum consignment to the popular Saturday evening auction. At the end of an exciting evening, just shy of $1.8 million was realized on the 320 lots offered reflecting the continuing upturn in the Western Americana market.
The ballroom of the Marriott Hotel was SRO as hundreds packed the venue for a chance to acquire one of the 15 coveted artifacts from the “King of Cowboys.” Hundreds more were registered to bid online and the phone bidders had their plates full. Also in attendance were curators and directors from several major museums.
The auction began promptly at 5pm Saturday. Anyone who attended will likely not soon forget the opening speech given by Roy (Dusty) Rogers, Jr. An impassioned and emotional speech, their wasn’t a dry-eye in the house as Dusty spoke of the legacy of his father and how difficult the closing of the museum has been for his family. He spoke of the promise he made to his father that, when the Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Museum was no longer financially viable, that the contents should be offered to the world for all to enjoy. With tears in his eyes, he magically joked that he would welcome the opportunity to visit these pieces in the new owners homes… and then the auction began.
When the dust settled, in this first offering of the initial 15 lots from the Museum, over $373,000 was earned highlighted by his Bohlin silver saddle at $103,000 (estimate: $50,000 - $100,000), his personal sterling and gold longhorn buckle for $23,000 (estimate $5,000 - $10,000), guns and gunbelt for $74,750 (estimate $20,000 - $30,000) and Rose Parade saddle at $75,000 (estimate $20,000 - $30,000). Even a pair of Roy's personal eagle boots quadrupled its $1000-2000 estimate realizing over $10K.
However, not to be outdone by the popular king and queen of cowboys, was a fabulous saddle made for the last Emperor of Mexico, Maximilian I. The stunning Imperial saddle, consigned by the heirs of the Julius Skilton family who acquired it shortly after Maximilian's execution by the forces of Benito Juarez in 1864, was lavishly adorned with multiple imperial crests and sold for a record setting $230,000 (estimate $100,000 - $150,000) propelled by animated bidding from the audience and all six telephone lines.
While Roy Rogers and Emperor Maximilian may have “stolen the show” substantial sales were had on the other amazing art and historic artifact that were offered. An important selection of fine art from listed Western artists was offered. Among the highlights of this category was an oil on canvas by Olaf Weighorst entitled “The Herder” which sold for $43,000 (estimate $25,000 - $35,000).
