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Old West Events Realizes $2 Million at January Sale


            MESA, AZ – The 31st annual Mesa Old West Auction exceeded high    sold to floor bidders. Another important collection to cross the block
            estimates at the January 23rd live sale, with John Wayne featured in   was the Roger Wilmot Collection of bits and spurs, which included a
            two of the top ten lots. Wayne’s True Grit and Rooster Cogburn 1892   rare Goldberg, Staunton Saddlery Co. bit that brought $22,400
            Winchester Saddle Ring                                                   (estimate $10,000-$15,000) to a busy floor bidder.
            Carbine realized $88,500 on                                                Fine art also sold well, with an Edward Borein pen and ink
            the telephone (estimate                                                  bringing $18,880 (estimate $8,000-$12,000), and a diminutive
            $65,000-$75,000) as the top                                              5x7 inch Marjorie Reed  (left) realizing $4,840 (estimate $600-
            lot of the weekend. The                                                  $800). Other impressive sellers of the night included Steve
                                                                                     McQueen’s film-used Smith & Wesson at $26,550 to the floor
            Duke’s iconic hat from Cahill
            U.S. Marshall brought almost                                             (estimate $10,000-$14,000), and Ronald Reagan’s Bohlin
            ten times its low estimate of                                            saddle (below) which sold on the phone for $41,300 (estimate
            $3,000, selling for $29,500                                              $7,000-$9,000).
            to a phone bidder. The auc-                                                Brian Lebel, Old West Auction owner, was of course very
            tion saw a 41% increase in                                               pleased with the sale. “Like everyone else, I had no idea what to
            total registered bidders and                                             expect. I knew we had a really quality auction with a lot of amaz-
            realized an impressive 97.4%                                                                     ing material, and I was hopeful with
            sell-through rate. The live                                                                      the increase in registered bidders,
            auction was limited to 100                                                                       but it’s been a hard year to predict
            attendees, with masks and                                                                        things.” Lebel is excited by the over-
            social distancing enforced. Despite the limited audience, bidding was                            all turnout and looking forward to
            fast and furious between those floor bidders against the phones and the                          the next auction. “How can those of
            internet, with many lots selling above estimate for a total of over $1.9                         us in the western collecting commu-
            million. The accompanying online-only sale realized a 100% sell-                                 nity not be encouraged? Prices were
            through rate and pushed total sales for the weekend to over $2 million.                          high and people were excited; it’s
               Other highlights of the evening included lots from the Buzz Nyhart                            what we hope for every year.”
            Montana Territory Collection, which featured artifacts and firearms                                 Lebel’s next auction is the 31st
            from the founding of the Territory, with an emphasis on the Montana                              annual Cody Old West Show &
            Vigilantes. The 2nd and 3rd top lots of the night were both from the                             Auction, June 25-27, 2021 in Santa
            Nyhart Collection, a rare Sharps Creedmoor rifle with history to                                 Fe, NM. For information on this
            Granville Stuart that sold for $53,100 (estimate $30,000-$35,000),                               and other auction results, or to con-
            and a Colt Model 1860 Army with vigilante history that brought over                              sign, visit www.oldwestevents.com
            seven times its low estimate at $44,250 (estimate $6,000-$8,000). Both                           or call 480-779-9378.





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