James Walker (1818-1889), Judges of the Plains, ca. 1877, oil on canvas, 303/16 x 503/16 in. Estimate: $400/500,000

Lebel, who’s been dealing some of the most diverse Western material in the country for more than three decades, famously unites paintings, sculptures and objects under one banner that brings them all together. The banner reads “Western Fine Art.”

Charles M. Russell (1864-1926), Merry Christmas, watercolor on paper, 6 x 4 in. Estimate: $20/30,000

This year’s event, once again split into a dealer show and a live auction, is expected to bring out top collectors in a hot market. “The market is strong. The response we received from our last show in Las Vegas showed that to us. We had lots of bidders on the phones, and even more online. There is an excitement for this material,” Lebel says. “I’ve also been watching the art business, including other sales, and I’m seeing a lot of strength in the market. In this business we hear about the aging collectors a lot, but luckily we’re also seeing a lot of interest from younger people who are registering for the sales, showing up at events and asking questions.”

Joe Beeler (1931-2006), Ambush Pass, oil on canvas, 20 x 30 in. Estimate: $8/14,000

The event, presented by Lebel’s Old West Events and Morphy Auctions, is expected to have dozens of dealer booths and more than 450 auction lots. One auction piece that is already generating a buzz is James Walker’s Judges of the Plains, a major work by the artist painted in the late 1870s. Walker’s works, especially important paintings, are rare to the market, which is driving interest in the painting. “This is one of Walker’s masterpieces, truly one of his greats. It belongs in an institution it’s so spectacular,” Lebel says. “It has a nice exhibition history and it’s been restored perfectly. It has all the bells and whistles.” The work, which is set near Ventura and Los Angeles counties in California, is estimated at $400,000 to $500,000. Even if it sells at the low estimate, it will still sell at more than five times the current auction record for the artist, which is $70,000. The image shows a herd of cattle, and within it are riders representing prominent families—Sepúlvedas, Verdugos, Picos, del Valles and Lugos—each with a colorful background that crisscrosses through California history. 

Lon Megargee (1883-1960), Home on the Range, oil on panel, 19½ x 21½ in. Estimate: $10/15,000

The sale will feature two Frank McCarthy works, Posse (est. $20/30,000) and Hoof Trails and Wagon Tracks (est. $10/15,000), which shows an epic cattle drive scene with an ominously dark cloud that hangs over the scene. Other paintings include Gilbert Gaul’s Indian by Campfire, estimated at $35,000 to $45,000; a Joe Beeler oil, Ambush Pass, estimated at $8,000 to $14,000; and Nicholas Firfires’ Leave My Calf Alone, estimated at $3,000 to $5,000.

R. T. Frazier studded chaps, 38 in. Estimate: $10/15,000

A classic Lon Megargee painting, Home on the Range, showing a cowboy in a bathtub, will be available to bidders with estimates of $10,000 to $15,000. The sale will have a Charlie Russell work on paper, Merry Christmas, a holiday greeting showing a woman in a fancy dress. It is estimated at $20,000 to $30,000. Finally, James Bama’s Kid Rodelo will be in the sale. The work, created for a book cover, has estimates of $10,000 to $15,000. Other painters with works in the sale are Mark Maggiori, William Matthews and Frank Hoffman. 

Frank McCarthy (1924-2002), Hoof Trails and Wagon Tracks, oil on canvas panel, 26 x 12 in. Estimate: $10/15,000

Qualey Bros. double-mounted spurs Estimate: $10/15,000

In addition to stunning paintings, the sale will also feature a large selection of bronzes, including a number of Harry Jackson pieces, and also a large collection of weavings.

And it wouldn’t be a Lebel auction without stunning Western gear, and this year is no exception. Pieces include Ray “Crash” Corrigan’s Edward H. Bohlin gun rig with Colt revolvers, estimated at $20,000 to $30,000. Another Bohlin piece is Justin Dart’s famous Bohlin “Mickey Mouse” saddle, estimated at $125,000 to $150,000. Dart was an industrialist in California who had a friendship with Walt Disney. When Bohlin made him the saddle, he brought his friendship with Disney into the engraving and overlay with images of Mickey Mouse, as well as other personalized elements. “The artwork is done in gold and silver and it’s stunning. And it was very specifically designed for Justin Dart. It has his horse, his airplane, his dog…everything he liked is there,” Lebel says. “These Bohlin saddles, they weren’t stamped by machine and rushed out the door. Each one is a work of art.” (Read more about Bohlin and his work in a feature on Page 46.)

James Bama (1926-2022), Kid Rodelo, oil on panel, 18½ x 15½ in. Estimate: $10/15,000

Other objects include R. T. Frazier’s studded chaps, Qualey Bros. double-mounted spurs and an engraved 1860 Henry lever-action rifle. —