DENVER – Brian Lebel’s Cody Old West Show & Auction®, one of the nation’s top sources for Western art, artifacts and collectibles, will celebrate its 20th anniversary June 26-28 at the Denver Merchandise Mart. A series of events comprise this year’s showcase, including a show and sale featuring outstanding Western dealers, artists and craftsmen; a 400-lot auction that includes items from the estate of Annie Oakley, a separate fine art auction to benefit the Denver Art Museum, and a multi-gallery party and reception in Denver’s LoDo Arts District. LiveAuctioneers has been chosen to provide the live Internet bidding for both of the auctions.
Following is a rundown of events. Note: all times are local to Denver (Mountain Daylight Time).
THE KICKOFF PARTY: Thursday, June 25, 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
To celebrate the arrival of the Cody Old West Show and Auction in Denver, a reception will be hosted by local galleries in the Denver LoDo Arts District, including David Cook Fine Art, Rockmount Ranch Wear, William Matthews Gallery and Visions West Galleries. All are welcome to come enjoy art, wine and hors d’oeuvres at this special event.
THE CODY OLD WEST SHOW: Friday through Sunday, June 26-28
More than 200 diverse dealers will set up at the three-day sale, offering Western Americana, antique and contemporary Cowboy trappings, Indian and ethnographic artifacts, Western fine art, collectible firearms, Western design for home and lodge, and much more. From bits, spurs and saddles to oil paintings, watercolors and bronzes, the show will run the gamut of the best of both the Old West and the Modern West.
Purchase an impeccably tooled contemporary saddle, an 1870s Sioux tobacco bag, a Texas Ranger badge, or a custom pair of kangaroo leather boots. Watch a noted Navajo weaver at work or visit with Buffalo Bill and Annie Oakley re-enactors. Also in the works is a collaboration with the Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave of Lookout Mountain in Golden, Colo., highlighting Denver’s Wild West roots.
The show is open to the public Friday June 26 from 3-6 p.m., Saturday June 27 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, June 28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets are $5 daily, or $10 for a three-day pass. Early buying during Friday’s dealer set-up (for those wanting a first look at dealer merchandise) opens at 8 a.m., and can be purchased for $50 (includes three-day pass).
THE CODY OLD WEST AUCTION: Saturday, June 27, 5 p.m.
The award-winning Cody Old West Auction offers an incredible collection of historic, important, and collectible items to the public, with Internet live bidding through LiveAuctioneers.com. Personal effects of the legendary sharpshooter and Wild West performer, Annie Oakley (directly from her family descendents) are among the auction highlights that include Annie’s wedding ring, furniture, photographs, and traveling trunks.
The two finest “Main & Winchester” saddles ever offered at public sale are highly anticipated items, as is a large Marjorie Reed stagecoach oil painting that hung in the Ranchers Club of Tucson, Arizona. Antique and collectible firearms include a silver-finished, factory-engraved Colt single-action example. An extensive cowboy chaps collection will be auctioned, along with an incredible variety of antique cowboy trappings. Old West gambling items are also represented, including a set of ivory poker chips. Native American antiquities will be offered, and include fine beadwork and quillwork (moccasins, scabbards, clothing, etc.), pottery, jewelry, baskets and Navajo textiles. The original wood sign from Judge Roy Bean’s famous “Hall of Justice” will be sold.
The auction is widely recognized for its fine Western art, and this year is no exception. Among the many impressive fine art offerings are two original Frederic Remingtons and an important Will James self-portrait. Additional artists of note include, John Marchand, Edward Borein, Philip Goodwin, Ace Powell, John Moyers, Bob Scriver, Frank Hoffman and Nick Eggenhoffer. A number of highly collectible Buffalo Bill and Wild West lithographs will be offered, as well as original photography by the likes of Charles Belden and Edward Curtis.
Also during this Saturday night auction, a special offering of custom-crafted “lawman” items will be auctioned to benefit the Denver Police Museum, which is celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Denver Police Department.
SPECIAL BENEFIT AUCTION: Friday, June 26, 6:30 p.m.
The Cody Old West Show & Auction will conduct a special Friday night auction of fine Western American Art to benefit the Denver Art Museum acquisition fund, with Internet live bidding through LiveAuctioneers.com. This sale will include more than 150 works from artists such as Will James, Ross Santee, William Moyers, and Buckeye Blake, as well as a number of well-known Colorado and New Mexico painters, both contemporary and deceased. A large grouping of Saverio Mannetti lithographs is also part of the sale. This auction will be a unique opportunity to purchase new-to-market fine Western art while supporting a very worthy cause.
THE ROUND-UP:
All events are open to the public. Show admittance is $5 per day, or $10 for a three-day pass. Early buying at the show is $50. There is no charge to attend the reception, either of the auctions or the auction preview.
To enquire about any auction lot, call 307-587-9014. View the fully illustrated auction catalogs and sign up to bid absentee or live via the Internet at www.LiveAuctioneers.com.
ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
