Art collector and dealer Chris Lusher has always enjoyed the festive atmosphere during the summer in Santa Fe, New Mexico. But something he always felt was missing was a large auction in the month of August, when thousands of visitors flood into Santa Fe for markets, gallery openings and art fairs. So he set out to change that with his own sale on August 3 not far from the Santa Fe Plaza.
Antique early classic Moki serape wearing blanket, ca. 1870s, 76 x 49 in. Estimate: $18/25,000
“We are very pleased to offer Old West and historical Western material, Native American material that is historic in nature, as well as Spanish Colonial and Mexican art. We’re aiming for around 340 lots, so we’ll have a nice collection of materials,” the Santa Fe-based Lusher says. “Everything from really great Western material to antique fireams, to Navajo and Southern Plains bridles, to Mexican spurs and saddles. It will all represent the Southwest quite well.”
Visalia batwing chaps with sterling silver conchos, marked “Visalia Stock Saddle Company, San Francisco, Cal, H.C Nelson.” Adorned with Silver conchos including four depicting a bronc rider. Hans Christen Nelson, Californian Republican politician, ca. 1920-1930s. Estimate: $4/6,000
Lusher has been acquiring historic material for decades, something he credits to his father. “It all came together through the eyes of my father, who was an avid collector of 60 years. He amassed an amazing collection in all of these areas. I started going to shows in Santa Fe in the 1990s, and I just genuinely fell in love with it. I love seeing this history,” he says. “That interest soon became me buying interesting pieces and collecting these great stories. Next thing you know I’m getting tables at the shows. My wife and I have been empty nesters for four years, so it evolved really fast since then.”
Charro large spurs single mounted Estimate: $1,500/2,500
The sale preview will be held on August 2, followed by the live sale on August 3 at 2 p.m. Both the sale and preview will take place at the Drury Hotel, a short walk from the Santa Fe Plaza. Lusher will offer a printed catalog, but will also use auction platforms LiveAuctioneers and iCollector so bidders can view and bid online or through their phones. The online catalog will be available for viewing on July 15.
Lots in the sale include a finely made Moki serape from around the 1870s. It carries estimates of $18,000 to $25,000. Also available are a pair of beaded gauntlets with eagles and American flags, estimated at $400 to $800; an Idaho prison bridle with reins, estimated at $3,000 to $5,000; several pairs of silver spurs with engravings; a pair of early 20th-century Visalia batwing chaps with silver conchos, estimated at $4,000 to $6,000; and a Charleville French Indian gun with tacks, estimated at $6,000 to $12,000.
President Ronald Reagan spurs in ornately designed presentation box presented to President Ronald Reagan at Rancho Del Cielo (Sky Ranch), Santa Ynez, while Governor of California (1967-1975). Mexican-made with mark “D.” Estimate: $10/12,000
Presidents north and south of border have connections to two different lots: one is a presidential saddle made by Jesus Mejia Olca Talabarteria for President Luis Echeverría Álvarez of Mexico, and then also a pair of ornately designed spurs and box given to American President Ronald Reagan at Rancho Del Cielo (Sky Ranch), Santa Ynez, while Reagan was the governor of California.
Lusher adds that other items include Edward H. Bohlin saddles, paintings and bronzes, and also a 1700s-era British-made ceremonial tomahawk that would have been given to Native Americans. The auction will also feature a selection of works from the Forrest Fenn Collection directly from the Fenn estate. —
Lusher Auctions
August 2-3, 2024
Drury Hotel
828 Paseo De Peralta, Santa Fe, NM 87501
www.western-treasures.com
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