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ANTIQUES PEEK by Jessica Kosinski
ANTIQUES PEEK

I Should’a Been a Cowboy

ave you ever wanted to rope and ride Cedarstaff was the first to like Hank Williams. Keeping the traditions of
like a cowboy? Well, if so, you need patent the design for a bolo tie the cowboy lifestyle alive shows up time and
Hthe proper attire. A lot of cowboy even though Native Americans again today with popular shows like
gear is highly collectible, whether an antique are thought to have crafted Yellowstone and earlier, Nashville. Modern
from the American Old West or produced in bolo ties before he applied for bolo tie craftspeople bring in lifestyle looks
more recent times. One example is the bolo that patent. In either case, that have a heavy nod to cowboys and the
tie. Bolo ties first appeared in the early 1900s. one thing historians agree American West, and that association will
Let’s take a peek at these great neck pieces and about is that many bolo ties continue for years to come.
why they are collectible today. were crafted by Native
Americans throughout the
What is a Bolo Tie? mid-1900s. Bolo ties made by
A bolo tie is sometimes craftspeople from Native
called a bola tie or a shoestring American tribes are particularly
tie. It is a tie usually made from sought after because of the
leather cording and is typically intricate designs they created.
tipped with metal. Each bolo Many craftspeople used
tie also features an eye-catching precious stones or intricate
“slide” holding the two sides Calabaza beadwork when creating them.
bolo3
together. The composition of Turquoise stones were quite
bolo ties varies widely. Some commonly used in the early days of bolo tie
are made using beads, others designs. As time has passed, parts of bolo ties
made of wood, metal, or other have evolved. Today, some have silver or
decorative materials. metal tips. Many are made using leather or
cord. Some are braided, while others are not.
The Debate Over the The slides, which help hold the ties in place, Paul Newman as Buffalo Bill wearing a
Origin of the Bolo Tie are perhaps the most interesting, though. buffalo bolo slide.
There are no less than three Their designs and patterns have expanded
theories about how and where rapidly with the passage of time. Today, you Collecting Bolo Ties
the bolo tie was originally cre- can find bolo ties with slides shaped like spirit You can collect bolo ties purely for the sake
ated. One story is that Manny animals, conchos like those that adorned of collecting them. They work well when
Goodman, a craft store owner parade saddles, Western folk, arrowheads, displayed in cases or on hanging racks.
in New Mexico, invented it in guitars, cowboy hats, and other objects. However, the best reason to collect bolo ties is
the 1930s after he saw Native You can also choose from many different to wear them. The more you own, the more
Americans, including the Hopi slide materials including gold, silver, leather, unique fashion statements you can make.
Bolo tie
tribe, wearing bandannas and more. They offer a great means of self-expression
around their necks, which gave him the idea. and artistic expression.
A second origin story is that a man named The Cultural and Historical Impact of If you are going to collect them, you have
Victor Cedarstaff, who was an Arizona silver- Bolo Ties the option of looking for the earliest possible
smith and leather expert, invented the bolo There was a time when bolo ties were worn bolo ties, 1970-2000 vintage ties, or more
tie. According to his own story, his hat blew only by male cowboys in the early 1900s, but modern neckwear. Many companies still
off his head when he was out riding and when 100+ years later times have changed. Today, produce them and sell them today. However,
he found that the band had become detached, more and more women are also getting in on the antique and vintage bolos often have the
he slipped the band over his head and let it the bolo tie wearing action. You can also best craftsman-
hang loose around his neck. His companion find people wearing bolo ties throughout ship. You can
joked, “That’s a nice-looking tie you’re the United States these days. Although, they find them
wearing, Victor,” so he adapted it into the are still by far most prominent in the south- online on web-
design for the bolo tie. western part of the country. In fact, the state sites like eBay
The third tale is that Victor popularized of Arizona declared it the official tie type of and Etsy or in
existing bolo ties. The theory is that he saw the state in 1971. Although, it is referred to as person at flea
Native Americans in his area already wearing a “bola” tie there. New Mexico did the same, markets, in
them. Thus, he essentially stole the invention but not until 2007. antiques shops,
from them and attached his name to it. and many
However, the truth has seemingly been lost Bolo Ties as Modern Fashion Statements southwestern
to history. In the Southwest, bolo ties are still quite craft, jewelry,
popular today. They have seeped their way and clothing
The Popularity and Craftsmanship of into popular culture thanks to the populariza- stores as well as
Early Bolo Ties tion of the cowboy through early television Collected bolo ties showing a tack shops and
Most historians agree that, regardless of series like The Lone Ranger, cowboy movies variety of metals, stones, and even Western wear
where and how he got the idea, Victor like The Cowboys, to country music artists wolves’ teeth. specialty stores.

Jessica Kosinski has been a freelance researcher and writer since 2001. She developed a passion for 1980s pre-1980s TV and films as a kid, and she has never grown out of it. Recently, she turned that
passion into a retro TV and film blog. Follow along with her at https://medium.com/@jkos_writing, as she dives deep into the characters, actors, quirks, and trivia that brought us some of the greatest
films and shows in TV history and also discusses some of the more obscure films and shows most of us may have forgotten.

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