In June 2020, Brian Lebel did not hold his usual summer sale and show due to the pandemic. It was a painful decision, but one that he knew was necessary. “We want to see all our friends, but we want it to be safe,” he said at the time. 
Left: Frank McCarthy (1924-2002), Gunfight, oil on board, 20 x 12” Estimate: $4/6,000
A year later and there is a hopeful feeling in the air: New Mexico is opening back up slowly, vaccines are being administered to more and more people every day, and events are slowly returning to the market. “Everyone is champing at the bit to do something again, so we’re excited in what this summer may bring,” says Lebel, who owns and runs the Cody Old West Show & Sale. “And we have some really great material we want to offer people. We held a great sale in Mesa, Arizona, in January, and we’re confident we can do it safely and securely again so everyone can have fun.”
Olaf Wieghorst (1899-1988), Bucking Horse, watercolor, 14 x 11” Estimate: $6/7,000
Rare Florence Penitentiary (AZ) horsehair bridle Estimate: $8/12,000
This year’s Cody Old West sale is scheduled for June 26 at the Hilton Santa Fe Historic Plaza in Santa Fe, and it will feature more than 400 lots of Western material.
Highlights in the sale include a Frank McCarthy shoot-out scene with a unique composition, Gunfight (est. $4/6,000), and an Olaf Wieghorst watercolor, Bucking Horse (est. $6/7,000). Other artworks in the sale are Eric Michael’s Leaving for Cheyenne (est. $3,5/4,000) and a lot consisting of four bronzes (est. $2/3,000) from saddlemaker Edward H. Bohlin. 
Collection of Hollywood cowboy hats, both screen-worn and personal, from such notable leading men as John Wayne, Jack Palance, Gary Cooper, James Cagney, Ben Johnson and Clint Eastwood. Estimates vary.
In addition to fine art in paintings and bronzes, Lebel always has a stunning array of Old West materials. This year he will be offering a pair of filigreed spurs with overlaid silver (est. $7/9,000), a rare horsehair bridle from the Florence Penitentiary in Arizona (est. $8/12,000) and a Colt single-action revolver (est. $20/25,000) that belonged to Arizona Ranger O. Frank Hicks. There is usually a hefty grouping of Hollywood materials, and this year’s sale is no different with a number of cowboy hats from actors John Wayne, Jack Palance, Gary Cooper, James Cagney, Ben Jonson and Clint Eastwood. “In the past we’ve had a lot of movie-worn hats, but many of these are the personal hats worn by these great actors, which really makes them special,” Lebel says. “One exception is the Eastwood hat, which was worn in the movie Joe Kidd.”
Colt single-action Army revolver belonging to Arizona Ranger O. Frank Hicks Estimate: $20/25,000
Elsewhere in the sale will be an extensive collection of fine Southwest and California baskets from the estate of a Colorado collector, Old West antiques from the collection of Earl Hagerman, an impressive collection of authentic Old West and Wild West saloon/gambling items and works by Traditional Cowboy Arts Association members such as Scott Hardy, Leland Hensley and Mehl Lawson.
In addition to the live, in-person sale—which will be supported via app, as well as online, telephone and absentee bidding—there will also be an online-only component where some more affordable works are offered to competitive bidders.
In addition to the sale, there is a possibility that there will be a show component to this year’s Cody Old West event, but due to visitor limits at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center and certain health restrictions still in place in New Mexico, guests are encouraged to check the website for more information leading up to the June sale. —
Brian Lebel’s Cody Old West Show & Sale
June 26, 2021
Hilton Santa Fe Historic Plaza, 100 Sandoval Street, Santa Fe, NM 87501
(480) 779-9378, www.oldwestevents.com
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