One of the premier western auctions and shows is called High Noon Western Americana. Kathy and I have attended for many years and are always impressed by the quality of the items.
There is a vendor show with maybe 150 booths featuring different western (mostly antique) items and a definitely high end auction on Saturday night.
This year the event will be held in Mesa, Arizona January 30-31, 2010. One of the auction items will be one of only two known, documented saddles belonging to Emperor Maximilian I (1832-1867) of Mexico. The saddle, known as the “People’s Saddle” was presented to Emperor Maximilian by the People of Mexico during his Imperial reign from 1864 to 1867.
The company also does valuations for sellers and collectors, handles estate sales, and has a great free e-newsletter called Smoke Signals that you can subscribe to at their website. My friends Linda Kohn Sherwood and Joseph Sherwood run the company.
From their website:
“For over 20 years, High Noon has served as the nation’s catalyst for the rich and exuberant Wesern Americana market, the arts created during this vibrant time in American history plus the works from today’s Western artists and artisans have been catapulted to the forefront in the world of collecting and investing. High Noon is the nation’s definitive resource for information, historical perspectives and market valuations for all that encompasses this collecting genre. From fine art to Native American works to saddles to Western Hollywood memorabilia, High Noon is your window into this celebrated world.
“The High Noon goal is to provide an atmosphere to fulfill the dreams of every cowboy and cowgirl, to share facts and friendships.
“We have followed the American Cowboy from his rise following the Civil War in 1865, through the hardships and triumphs of Western expansion, culminating in Hollywood’s silver screen versions of the rough-edged heroes we admired growing up. High Noon also specializes in Charro and Vaquero artifacts dating from the mid-1700s, Native American historic and reservation period pieces, and Fine Western Art.
“High Noon is the world’s most powerful window to the art, the crafts and cultural legacy of the Native American Indian, the Cowboy, the Vaquero and the Old American West.
“Step through our window and embrace the history, the people and the romance of these rich traditions.
* Fulfill your cowboy & cowgirl dreams
* Gather with those who are likewise captivated, humbled & inspired
* Engage in dialogs of facts & fiction
* Capture pieces of history
“Born in 1988, High Noon is dedicated to preserving all that encompasses our rich Western heritage and works to ensure that these traditions remain intricately woven into our lives today —to become stronger and stronger and never forgotten.”
You can get more information HERE.