Lebel’s 30th Annual Mesa Old West Show & Auction Launches the 2020 Events Season

By Tom Surface

Jesus M. Tapia (1856 - 1931) Filigreed Spurs. Sold for $29,500.

Lively Bidding and Solid Sales Kick Off the New Year

Brian Lebel’s Old West Shows and Auction took center stage in Mesa, Arizona, in late January, providing a solid start to the 2020 show and auction season. According to information provided by Lebel’s auction team, the two-day Auction netted more than $1.3 million in live sales, with over 95 percent of the lots gaveled “sold.” Additionally, many Show event participants reported enjoying a continuing uptick in buyer interest and stronger sales over recent years.

AUCTION WAS A COLLECTORS PARADISE

The two-day auction, January 24-25, featured more that 600 lots up for bidding. The first day featured some 200 plus lots from the Cordy Rich Collection of American Firearms. Cordy was a renowned firearms collector from New York State. His uniquely American collection included arms from the 1700s through the Civil War, Wild West, and into the 1960s. Online and in-person bidding was brisk with most items meeting or exceeding estimated values. A strong bid of $40,000 went to a factory engraved Colt 1860 Army Revolver. However, according to the Lebel’s team, the highlight of the auction was a Henry Repeating Rifle that sold at $70,800 including buyer’s premium. However, there were a number of relative bargains realized during the first day’s auction. A 1921 Baby Hammerless sold for only $100, while a Boy’s Long Gun went for $200. Several highly collectable firearms sold in the $300 to $400 range including a Remington Pocket Revolver, a Colt 220 Revolver, and a Springfield 1861 Musket.

Day 2 of the auction encompassed a wide selection of premiere Western Americana and Native American offerings. The items ranged from highly prized boots, spurs, saddles and firearms, to movie and TV memorabilia, original western oil painting and photography, and Native American textiles and arts. Movie memorabilia from Clint Eastwood, Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, Peter Brown (“Laredo”), and Jamie Foxx (“Django”) were up for grabs. Two great deals of the night turned out to be Rusty’s Iconic Kids Cavalry Shirt and Scarf from the 1950s TV show “Rin-Tin Tin” that went for $300 and the outfit worn by actress Gail Davis in the “Annie Oakley’s TV Show” auctioned at $600. The top bid on day two of the auction was reserved for a Henry Repeating Rifle that garnered a final bid of $60,000. A Northwest Coast Carved Flintlock Rifle and Flask went for $32,500 while a nice pair of Jesus Tapia Spurs earned a top bid of $25,000. Original artwork by well-known western artists held its value throughout the auction as did ornate parade saddles and silver spurs. Overall, auction prices were solid but there were also a number of “great” deals for discerning collectors.

Jamie Foxx’s “Django” Hat. – Sold for $4,750

Dale Harwood 1999 TCAA Exhibition Saddle – Sold for $26,550

A Rare John Cox Canon City Prison Pistol Bit – Sold for $23,600

Lee Aaker’s Iconic Shirt from “Rin-Tin-Tin.” Sold for $300.

MESA CIVIC CENTER HOSTS OLD WEST SHOW

Some 180 vendors descended of the Mesa Civic Center for two days of selling, buying, bartering, and exchanging “tall tales.” Sellers and visitors roamed the aisles of endless kiosks and stands bartering over Western Americana collectibles, historical artifacts, cowboy gear, Native American arts, antique firearms, movie memorabilia, books and ephemera, boots, and literally anything associated with the Old West.

According to several vendors contacted by “The Indian Trader,” attendance was good and buyer interest and sales were stronger than other recent shows and events. Interest in high-quality Western Americana memorabilia, Western-themed art and jewelry, and Native American collectables remains robust.

Lebel’s next auction and show – the Cody Old West Show & Auction – will take place at the Santa Fe Community Center in Santa Fe, NM, June 26-28, 2020. For more information go to: www.oldwestevents.com. Lee Aaker’s Iconic Shirt from “RinTin-Tin.” Sold for $300.