And Things That Make Us Western: Collectors love the Old West, and Western art, firearms and collectibles remain popular coast to coast.

Every year thousands of auctions are held in the United States. They range from small estate auctions to auctions run by large companies with national reputations and scope to eBay, which is a different thing altogether. That’s a lot to choose from. Selecting auctions to include in True West’s “Collecting the West” column is less daunting. The magazine’s title provides the direction. We only include auctions with authentic exceptional offerings from the true West. Those would be the art, firearms, clothing, horse gear, Western movie memorabilia, and other items that capture the stories and spirit of the American West.

Edward Bohlin’s personal silver-mounted gun belt with Colt Single-Action Army revolvers sold for $307,500. They took top dollar at Lebel’s Old West Auction in January. Courtesy Brian Lebel’s Old West Auction

This past year the auctions that met those criteria did not disappoint, and offered some standout items. The merger of Brian Lebel’s Old West Auctions with Morphy Auctions started 2024 with a huge show of firearms and Western artifacts in Las Vegas, creating an event not to be missed. The accompanying auction did not disappoint, offering choice pieces like Edward Bohlin’s personal silver-mounted gun belt with Colt Single-Action Army revolvers and Roy Rogers’ silver-and-gold-decorated parade chaps. The June Lebel/Morphy Auction in Santa Fe doubled down with several silver-mounted parade saddles, including a Disney-themed saddle made by Bohlin. Among a nice assortment of spurs at that auction was a silver overlaid pair made by Idaho’s Qualey Brothers in 1920.

Firearms are the specialty at Rock Island Auction Company, which always has a nice selection of weapons associated with the West. The American West met the Australian west in Quigley Down Under, starring Tom Selleck. Rock Island offered one of three rifles created for the movie. Another rare find at the auction was a Merwin, Hulbert and Company 3rd Model Army revolver presented by Theodore Roosevelt to his hunting guide.

Roy Rogers’ silver-and-gold-decorated parade chaps brought $184,500 at January’s Old West Auction. Courtesy Brian Lebel’s Old West Auction

As might be expected, a piece by Charles Russell drew the top bid at the Charles Russell Museum’s annual art auction. The painting titled The War Party was based on his experiences among the Blackfeet in Montana. Twelve hundred miles to the south, Carmelita, a portrait by Nicolai Fechin, and Summer in the Mountains by Berger Sandzen were among the top sellers at the Scottsdale Art Auction.

In 2024 these and other auctions provided a nice range of artifacts for collectors of the West. Their due diligence also ensured the quality, authenticity and connoisseurship that we have come to expect out here in the true West.

Steve Friesen comes to “Collecting the West” with over 40 years of experience in collecting for museums, including evaluating and acquiring artifacts from the American West.

A pair of silver overlaid spurs made by the Qualey Brothers, sons of a Norwegian blacksmith, sold for $25,830 at the June Lebel Auction. Courtesy Morphy Auctions

Bohlin’s Disney saddle, made for Walt Disney’s friend Justin Dart, included an image of Mickey Mouse wearing a cowboy hat. The top bid for it at Lebel’s Santa Fe was $307,500. Courtesy Morphy Auctions

Best Western Museum

Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, Scottsdale, AZ

The beautiful design of this building and its outdoor sculpture gallery offer just a taste of what you will experience inside this state-of-the-art museum filled with paintings, sculptures, cowboy gear and ranch paraphernalia, including the Abe Hays Spirit of the West Collection. Western Spirit recently acquired the Eddie Basha Collection of Western American fine art and a new wing will be built to exhibit it.

scottsdalemuseumwest.org

Readers’ Choice
Desert Caballeros, Wickenberg, AZ

Best Western Art Collection

Museum of Western Art, Kerrville, TX

“Shermalee & Lou, The Mack Cowboys” runs from January 25 – March 15, 2025.

museumofwesternart.com

Readers’ Choice
Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, Canyon, TX

Best American Indian Collection

Eiteljorg Museum, Indianapolis, IN

eiteljorg.org

Readers’ Choice
Buffalo Bill Center of the West, Cody, WY

Best Western Art Collector

Tom Petrie, Petrie Institute of Western American Art, Denver Art Museum, CO

DenverArtMuseum.org

Readers’ Choice
Myron R. Diebel (Wickenburg, AZ)

Best Western History Collector

Richard Fike (Museum of the Mountain West) Montrose, CO

Founded in 1997, the Colorado museum was created by founder Richard E. Fike, a Western historian, archaeologist and lifelong collector of Western memorabilia. Fike dreamed for decades of a center dedicated to the preservation of frontier heritage. In addition to the museum’s exhibits, the grounds of the Museum of the Mountain West have 28 historic buildings that were donated by neighboring community members.

MuseumOfTheMountainWest.org

Readers’ Choice
Bob Nelson (Nelson Museum of the West), Cheyenne, WY

Best Pioneer History Collection

Old Cowtown Museum, Wichita, KS

Old Cowtown Museum has 54 historic and recreated buildings, 27 of which are original. Built along the Arkansas River in Wichita, the museum is a popular living history center with an outstanding 1860s-70s frontier collection. Visitors will step back in time when they enter each building furnished with historic pieces and materials that provide a window into life for Kansas pioneers.

OldCowtown.org

Readers’ Choice
Legacy of the Plains Museum, Gering, NE

Best Old West Collectibles Auction

Morphy Auctions, Denver, PA

For the third year in a row, True West’s editors honor the excellence of Morphy Auctions. In 2023, Morphy acquired Brian Lebel Wild West Auctions and is now considered the premier Western collectibles auction house. Morphy has five collectible divisions: Advertising & General Store, Automobilia & Petroliana, Coin-Op & Gambling, Fine & Decorative Arts and Toy & Doll. Collectors can find hundreds of items from the Old West in the annual auctions.

morphyauctions.com

Readers’ Choice
Richmond Auctions, Greenville, SC

Tom Selleck’s Shiloh-Sharps rifle used in Quigley Down Under sold for $105,750 at the Rock Island Auction Company’s final sale of 2023. Courtesy Rock Island Auction Company

Best Western Collectibles Gallery

C.M. Russell Museum, Great Falls, MT

Readers’ Choice
Cisco’s Gallery, Coeur d’Alene, ID

Best Old West Art Auction

Scottsdale Art Auction, Scottsdale, AZ

Led by robust results in a variety of different collecting categories, Scottsdale Art Auction boasted a 97 percent sell-through rate and set several world auction records during its two-day sale, April 12-13. Both historic and contemporary Western art achieved high results over the 406-lot auction, which achieved a strong $10,479,549 overall. The Scottsdale Art Auction is currently accepting consignments and will hold its next auction on April 11-12, 2025.

ScottsdaleArtAuction.com

Readers’ Choice
Heritage Auctions, Dallas, TX

Best Old West Firearms Auction

Amoskeag Auction Company, Manchester, NH

amoskeagauction.com

Readers’ Choice
Rock Island Auctions, Rock Island, IL

Best Historic Firearms Museum

Museum of the Fur Trade, Chadron, NE

The Bob Chow Collection showcases a unique exhibition of firearms that were popular during the settlement of the West in the 19th century. The museum has a great collection of original art by Will James and seasonal exhibitions of cowboy gear, wildlife and pioneer items.

furtrade.org

Readers’ Choice
Northeastern Nevada Museum, Elko, NV

Best Treasure Hunting Device

Garrett Metal Detectors, TX

Founded in 1964, the family-owned company remains a leader in the metal detector marketplace. The company’s philosophy is to make the best metal detectors, sell them at a fair and reasonable price, and place customer service and satisfaction at the top of their priorities. For the everyday consumer, its Sport Division offers amateur and professional detectorists one of the most highly regarded product lines manufactured today.

Garrett.com

Readers’ Choice
Electroscopes by Thomas, PA

One of several Russell pieces offered at the Charles Russell Museum’s annual auction in March, The War Party sold to the top bidder for $2,570,000. Courtesy C.M. Russell Museum

Best Western Painter

Frederic Remington

Readers’ Choice
Maynard Dixon

Best Western Painter (Living)

Andy Thomas, Carthage, MO

Many call Andy Thomas the “Storyteller” and if you have ever had a chance to view his work you just might agree. He tells many stories with his action-filled Western art and is bringing the cowboys back to life. In the past, Andy has painted many subjects from American history—a picnic by a river, kids playing sports to a brutal bear fight. All of his paintings end up telling you, the viewer, some kind of story of their lives. We just never know what he will present to us next.

Readers’ Choice
Sherry Blanchard Stuart

Best Western Art Gallery

Legacy Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ

The Legacy Gallery represents over one hundred nationally known artists and offers the finest in representational and impressionistic art. The Legacy Gallery has specialized in paintings and sculptures in a wide variety of subject matter, including Western, figurative, wildlife, still-life and landscape. In addition, the Legacy Gallery offers works by 19th- and 20th-century century artists, including Olaf Wieghorst, Charles M. Russell, Olaf C. Seltzer, Joseph H. Sharp, Frederic Remington and Taos Founders.

legacygallery.com

Readers’ Choice
Ed Mell Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ

Best Western Art Museum Gallery

Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles, CA

The Autry Museum of the American West brings together the stories of all peoples of the American West, connecting the past with the present to inspire our shared future. Located in beautiful Griffith Park, the Autry features unique galleries filled with paintings, sculptures, film memorabilia, photographs, historic firearms and so much more, all related to the American West.

theautry.org

Readers’ Choice
Museum of Northwest Colorado, Craig, CO

Arthur Merrifield led Theodore Roosevelt on his first hunts in the West. The Merwin, Hulbert and Company 3rd Model Army revolver presented to him by Roosevelt fetched $164,500 at the Rock Island Auction Company’s sale. Courtesy Rock Island Auction Company

WESTERN WEAR

Best Western Bootmaker

Old Gringo, Fort Worth, TX
Old Gringo, founded in 2000, is a renowned boot manufacturer combining traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design. Handcrafted in Mexico, their boots feature intricate detailing, premium leathers and bold styles, blending Western heritage with modern fashion. Known for quality and innovation, Old Gringo is a favorite among boot enthusiasts worldwide.

oldgringoboots.com

Readers’ Choice
Tecovas, Austin, TX

Best Western Hatmaker

Catalena Hatters, Bryan, TX

Catalena Hatters is renowned for crafting the finest handmade custom felt hats in the world. Celebrated by industry professionals and hat connoisseurs alike, the hats reflect unmatched quality, craftsmanship and attention to detail. Catalena Hatters continues to set the gold standard for timeless style and exceptional custom hatmaking.

catalenahatters.com

Readers’ Choice
Knudsen Hat Co/Golden Gate Western Wear, Richmond, CA

Best Western Clothing Maker

Miller International (Cinch Brand), Denver, CO

In 1918 Philip Miller moved to Denver for health reasons and to sell hats for his family’s New York City-based Miller Brothers Hat.

Miller’s trip to Denver evolved into a Western clothing business and a passion for the American West. The Miller Ranch and Cinch Brands are based on the traditions and values that made the company a significant part of Western heritage and culture.

cinchjeans.com

Readers’ Choice
Recollections, Hawks, MI

Best Western Clothing Maker

Frontier by Lawrence Scott,
Los Angeles, CA

frontierls.com

Readers’ Choice
Michael J. Guli Designs, Bellvue, CO

Nicolai Fechin’s portrait Carmelita, gathered $292,500 at the April Scottsdale Art Auction. Courtesy Scottsdale Art Auction

Old West Preservation

Best Preservation of a Historic Western Building

Fort Smith National Historic Site (Hanging Judge Parker’s Courthouse), Fort Smith, AR

Fort Smith National Historic Site brings frontier justice to life at Judge Isaac “Hanging Judge” Parker’s courthouse. Explore the gallows, jail cells, and exhibits detailing law and order in the Wild West. This historic landmark captures the struggles of outlaws and marshals, offering a vivid glimpse into America’s untamed past.

discoverfortsmith.com

Readers’ Choice

TIE: Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site, Laramie, WY/Jesse James Farm & Museum, Kearney, MO

Best Historic Cemetery of the West

Boot Hill, Dodge City, KS

Readers’ Choice

Concordia Cemetery, El Paso, TX

Best Preserved Historic Fort of the West

Fort Concho, San Angelo, TX

Readers’ Choice

Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site, La Junta, CO

Best Architecturally Preserved Western Town

Tombstone, AZ

Readers’ Choice

Silverton, CO