Morphy Auctions/Old West Events – Old West Show & Auction
JANUARY 24 & 25, 2025
Westgate Resort & Casino
3000 Paradise Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
www.oldwestevents.com

LAS VEGAS — Soon collectors of Western and Native-American art and antiques will be off to America’s entertainment capital, Las Vegas, for the mega-event of 2025, as Morphy’s presents its Old West Show & Auction in tandem with the premier Las Vegas Antique Arms Show. On Friday and Saturday, January 24-25, the three attractions will be conducted conveniently under one roof at the Westgate Casino & Resort, with a comprehensive selection of goods that includes Western art, antiques, jewelry, home décor, cowboy paraphernalia and much more.

Over both days, guests can browse and buy from 800 tables of items from some of the world’s finest Western dealers and craftsmen, and on opening day, starting at 4 pm local time, Morphy’s will take center stage to conduct a live auction. The 495-lot selection includes important and historical Western and Native American art and antiques; apparel, saddles, spurs, bridles and other equine tack; Wild West Show items; and other early memorabilia. All forms of bidding will be available, including live online through Morphy Live.

The auction is packed with well-provenanced pieces for both advanced collectors and beginners whose focus is squarely on quality and authenticity. The lineup is led by an Edward H. Bohlin sterling silver and gold parade saddle custom-made in the late 1930s for Louise Cottam of Santa Barbara, Calif. Its design is a slight variation on the Machris model that debuted in the 1937 Bohlin catalog. The motif features a figure-eight floral pattern and multiple pictorial carvings, including a longhorn on the seat and a detailed “let ‘er buck” cowboy on the fenders, characteristic of the work of Bohlin leather carver Gabriel Diaz. The saddle is an actual book example appearing in James H. Nottage’s Saddlemaker to the Stars and comes with a matching bridle, second breast collar, and saddle set. In 100 percent original condition and boasting provenance from the George Pitman collection, Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., it comes to auction with an estimate of $100/150,000.

Antique spurs, bridles and other equine tack have their own dedicated following and are well represented in the auction. Within the array of spurs, a collector would be hard-pressed to find a more desirable pair than the Qualey Bros., silver double-mounted “shield” spurs. Each of these massive productions has a 2¾-inch shank that displays the classic Qualey split-tip, with a 2½-inch rowel. On their insides, each spur is marked Qualey Bros. Joseph Ida, along with an additional single-stamp maker’s mark. The duo is expected to sell in the $20/30,000 range.

A special-order set of Hollywood spurs made by Bohlin 25 years ago — using the same design, pattern and dies as the original pair Ed Bohlin made for cowboy film star Tom Mix (1880-1940) — is lavishly engraved in four colors of gold. It has raised floral scrollwork with the “TM” brand and Mix’s trademark double-rowels precisely executed to replicate the originals ($15/25,000).

Yet another pair of spurs was created by (August) Buermann, a firm that employed the most talented craftsmen of the latter Nineteenth Century and was known for its innovative and influential designs. The number 1471 double-mounted sterling silver spurs display the Roosevelt pattern, with full inlays on both sides with a diamond motif and a large, round center holding a round shank. These spurs retain approximately 90 percent of their original bluing, with sharp edges and “stars,” large 3-inch sterling dome conchos and hand-forged markings. With provenance from the Netty and Ted McIntyre collection, they are offered with a $10/15,000 estimate.

Made in the early 1900s, a J. Tapia (Southern California) filigreed, overlaid and underlaid coin silver ring-bit on bridle has the maker’s characteristic stylized cheeks and slobber-bar adorned with raised, domed multi-petal floral spots. Its split-ear California leather headstall is attached to a later set of braided, closed-leather reins with a romel and popper ($15/20,000).

Every inch a work of art, a highly colorful Yuma Territorial Prison hitched horsehair bridle features a medley of bold zigzag, diamond and stripe patterns. Its details include domed conchos and buttons, black braided-hair foundation and colored horsehair tassels. With its correct iron bit, reins and romel, the bridle could reach a winning bid in the $12/16,000 range.

A selection of Native American artifacts includes textiles, silver jewelry, basketry and beaded saddles, bags and gauntlets; however, the top entry in this category is an item of historical importance. It is a ledger and story book belonging to Sitting Bull’s nephew, White Bull (1849-1947), that documents several Indian battles in the West. It contains a total of 162 pages, 120 of which are written and 33 with illustrations. Another 28 pages are blank and directly face drawings. “It would not be an overstatement to say that White Bull’s illustrated ledger, which chronicles a crucial period for the Lakota people, is every bit as important to tribal historiography as The Papers of Thomas Jefferson are to the historical context of America’s colonial period,” said Dan Morphy, founder and president of Morphy Auctions. The ledger’s recent provenance includes Morning Star Gallery, Santa Fe, N.M. ($75/125,000).

The Ballroom at the Westgate Casino & Resort is at 3000 Paradise Road. Onsite auction preview: January 23 from 5-7 pm and January 24 from 9 am-4 pm. For information, 877-968-8880, www.antiquearmsshow.com or www.oldwestevents.com.

Show Hours:
Friday, January 24th I 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM PST
Saturday, January 25th I 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM PST
Auction Hours:
Friday, January 24th I 4:00 PM PST

UPCOMING AUCTION HIGHLIGHTS
Breathtaking Edward H. Bohlin “Machris” Parade Saddle
Deer Lodge Penitentiary Horsehair Bridle
Dazzling Tom Mix Pattern Edward H. Bohlin Spurs
Great Lakes Ball-headed War Club
Henry Model 1860 Lever Action Rifle Attributed To Jacob Rideout
Richard Cushion Horse Shoeing Trade Sign
Nicholas S. Firfires (1917-1990)
Will James (1892-1942)
The 2025 Vegas Old West Show will feature the most prestigious national dealers of Western art, antiques, apparel, decor jewelry, collectibles, antique firearms, Native American arts and artifacts, spurs, saddles, photography, textiles, boots, books, and other fine Western merchandise in all price ranges.
IN CONJUNCTION WITH: LAS VEGAS ANTIQUE ARMS SHOW
Shop one big, top-quality show that brings together the very best dealers from two closely aligned categories, antique firearms and genuine Old West art and relics.
WWW.ANTIQUEARMSSHOW.COM