Into the Old West

Bidders will have a chance to bid on art of the American West at Brian Lebel’s Mesa Old West Show & Auction

Brian Lebel's Old West Show & Auction
1041 Westend Dr., Ste 107
e: Email Gallery

Brian Lebel’s Old West Events will be presenting its next show, the Mesa Old West Show & Auction, January 20 through 22 at the Mesa Convention Center in Mesa, Arizona. The sale portion of the event will take place January 20 and 21 and will feature more than 700 lots related to the American West.

“It’s always fun to watch this great material come in,” Lebel says. “They are wide-ranging items and for all types of collectors, whether they are the beginner or the advanced collector.”

Eanger Irving Couse (1866-1936), The Pipe Maker. Oil on board, 12 x 16 in. Estimate: $100/150,000

One of the auction highlights of the sale will be an Eanger Irving Couse painting, The Pipe Maker, coming from a distinctive private collection. The oil work is estimated at $100,000 to $150,000 and it shows one of Couse’s famous interior scenes with a Native American subject. The painter, one of the founders of the Taos Society of Artists, frequently used Taos Pueblo models for his works. Today these interior paintings are treasured works in collections around the country.

Bert Geer Phillips (1868-1956), Springtime in Taos. Oil on board, 7 x 7 in. Estimate: $10/15,000

One work that will pair nicely with the Couse is Springtime in Taos (est. $10/15,000) by Bert Geer Phillips, another of the six Taos Founders.

Carl Oscar Borg (1879-1947), Mexican Market. Watercolor, 15 x 20 in. Estimate: $8/14,000

Other paintings include Edgar S. Paxson’s untitled Native American watercolor and gouache portrait (est. $7/9,000) and Carl Oscar Borg’s watercolor Mexican Market (est. $8/14,000). One work that Lebel is watching closely is John Fery’s Elk in Glacier National Park, a painting by the early landscape painter that should draw considerable attention. “It’s one of the best I’ve seen of his in a long time. Not as big as most, but it’s a realy sweet piece that we’re already getting interest in,” Lebel says.

John Fery (1858-1934), Elk in Glacier National Park. Oil on canvas on board, 137/8 x 23½ in. Estimate: $8/12,000

The sale will also have some historic art objects related to Roy Rogers, the iconic Western actor and singer. Lebel will offer one of Rogers’ three iconic gun holsters and a pair of matching spurs. The 1949 gun rig, estimated at $60,000 to $90,000, was made by Nudie’s of Hollywood and includes two Colt single-action revolvers. The gold Crockett spurs come with Nudie’s of Hollywood straps to match the rig. They are estimated at $12,000 to $18,000. While both pieces will be highly sought after, the gun rig will be a special prize. “The rig is adorned with deep floral carving, scalloped and engraved sterling conchos, gold-washed buckle sets for the double holsters, and a ruby-studded initial ‘R’ on the belt’s three-piece ranger buckle set,” Lebel notes. “The rig includes Roy’s pair of matching Colt Single Actions with horsehead-carved mother-of-pearl grips.”