Antiques and Horses
Tuesday, August 9th, 2011
These wooly chaps were recently on display, and for sale, at the Western Heritage Gallery.
Although it’s not in my usual section of the magazine, Inside the Arena, Cowboy Style (edited by Jennifer Denison) is always entertaining and informative. I look forward to it as a reader as well as an editor. For the September issue, I got to write the “cover story” for the section. It’s all about the Western Heritage Gallery in Denton, Texas.
As a confirmed antiques addict, I love stopping at antique malls and snooping for treasures. I’m always on the lookout for horse-related items that have a story of their own to tell. The Antique Gallery in Denton was one of my stops, and when part of the mall was becoming overrun with Western antiques, collectibles and memorabilia a few years ago, it was definitely of interest. When that conversion became official and the Western Heritage Gallery was opened, it really piqued my interest.
Late last year, the mall hosted a Western trade show. Our publisher, Darrell Dodds, and I went, talked with the owner and a few vendors, and got a lot of photos (well, he got the photos). Anyone interested in cowboy gear – whether it’s a bit that can be used every day or intricate spurs that are more suited to being displayed – will be fascinated by the mall. It contains artwork, saddles, furniture, jewelry, hats, books and fun “smalls” that are affordable and bring back lots of memories. There’s even a dealer that has boxes and boxes of old Western Horseman issues.
In September, in addition to the regular goods on display, a trade show will overtake another building in the same complex.
The Cowboy Gathering & Trade show will be held September 9-11. It features the Legends of Texas Western Auction on September 10. That auction will include the largest collection of Adolph Bayers spurs and bits ever featured in a public sale. Although those items will be out of my financial reach (so will a couple of Billy Klapper bits), it’s entertaining to see them and to find out what they’ll bring. And seeing the artistry of these works is inspiring.
The history of these items is intriguing. I can’t help but wonder what great cowboys might have worn those spurs, and what outstanding horses might have carried those bits. Sometimes the provenance is known and noted on a tag attached to the item. Sometimes it’s a mystery. Either way, it’s fun!
There’s a complete listing of auction items, with photos, on the Legends of Texas auction page on Facebook. Check it out, and check out the trade show and auction at the mall http://www.thewesternheritagegallery.com), which is just off Interstate 35 and Loop 288 in Denton. See you there!