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April 2020 THE INDIAN TRADER
Lebel’s 30th Annual Mesa Old West Show &
Auction Launches the 2020 Events Season By Tom Surface
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
Jesus M. Tapia (1856 - 1931) Filigreed Spurs. Sold for $29,500.
that gaveled 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-
