Something’s timeless about the allure of the Wild West. Even if it’s just through the hammer at an auction, the Old West's ghosts find ways to keep their stories alive and more evocative than ever. June 20 in Santa Fe, the stage was set for such a tale at the Morphy's Old West & Native American Art Auction.
Historic Firearm Leads the Charge
At the center of the excitement was a Manhattan Arms Navy Series IV Single Action Percussion Revolver. This wasn't just any antique weapon. Legend has it, this bad boy was once wielded by none other than the infamous outlaw Jesse James himself. It was reported to be one of the tools of the trade during the 1868 Southern Bank of Kentucky heist. With relation confirmed by family letters, this piece fired to $100,860, topping the auction lots of the day. Imagine the tales it could tell!
A legendary gun from history’s hands is worth every penny to some.
Auction Hits Nearly a Seven-Figure Mark
When the dust settled, Morphy’s raked in over $900,000 across its 515 lots. Not a bad haul for a day's work in Santa Fe. Dan Morphy himself highlighted the strong finish, expressing eager anticipation for the next event scheduled for Mesa, Arizona, in May 2027. Western art aficionados were in their element, and the bidding just kept moving at a blistering pace.
Art and Antiques: A Rich Tapestry
The auction wasn't just about Jesse’s pistol. There was plenty to tempt the wallet. A Frederic Remington sculpture titled The Rattlesnake rumbled in with a final bid of $86,100. Cast in silver back in '89, this art isn’t just a visual feast but a metallic investment in itself given the escalating prices of the precious material.
Sculptures, you say? Well, if a more practical flair tugged at your fancy, there was a Nolte-Olsen silver parade saddle from 1937, decorated by a top-notch silversmith, hitting $46,750. Call it high-class riding if you will.
More Than Just Guns and Art
The spectacle didn’t end there; the lineup included antique spurs, vintage cowboy attire, and even lawmen’s badges. Talk about diving deep into history. If you were searching for cherished family heirlooms or getting up close to Old West artifacts, this was the jackpot. Not to miss was a unique Waltham pocket watch, complete with intricate gold paneling and a grizzly bear motif, going for $27,060. Timepieces like this make you wish they could talk, reminiscing about the cowhands who glanced at them while out on the range.
On a lighter note, a Sharps 'Old Reliable' cartridge belt didn’t just surpass the expectations; it nearly quadrupled them. It was designed with such precision and history that its $24,600 tag seemed almost a steal.
What’s Next on the Horizon?
The allure of auctions such as these is undeniably magnetic. History buffs, plotters, and investors all found their own slice of the west through Morphy's Santa Fe showdown. Mark the calendars because with next year’s event in Arizona, there are always more stories to uncover, treasures to showcase, and whispers of eras past echoing through the auction halls.
Planning to consign or maybe even dive into such an opportunity next time? The folks at Morphy’s keep things hush and respectful, without commitment. By the looks of it, the Wild West’s got plenty more tales to tell.
