GUN SPRING 2017
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, April 11, 2017.
EXTRAORDINARY AND RARE HIGHLY EMBELLISHED EDWARD BOHLIN "SPECIAL MODEL SADDLE WITH DIAMOND AND GOLD OVERLAY BRIDLE AND HALTER".Beautiful brown leather saddle with embossed floral decoration throughout is silver mounted with well over 100 silver conchos and intricate silver spots. A silver shield shaped plaque "EDWARD H BOHLIN / SADDLE MAKERS & SILVERSMITH / HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA / MADE FOR / FRED W. BERGMAN, JR" found on front of seat. The entire front, as well as cantle edge, are adorned with finely engraved chased heavy sterling silver. The back of the cantle board is fully silver mounted and also finely engraved and chased with repousse flowers engraved in central panel "FRED W BERMAN, JR / ELKINS PARK PA". Fred William Bergman, Jr. (1916-1978) was a world renown nurseryman best known for his specimen garden "Raraflora" near Philadelphia, his biography states he was quirky recluse. Martingale is adorned with large 3-1/2" silver floral concho. Bridle, reins and headstall have leather markings of "Visalia Stock / Saddler / San Fran". Silver buckles also marked "Visalia", but the three conchos decorating headstall have gold inlay and diamonds and are "Bohlin". These three conchos have steer heads on two and cowboy on bucking bronco on other; lower steer head concho has single mine cut diamond and the larger steer head is adorned with four mine cut diamonds (about 15-20 points each) as seen in photos. Bit is silver trimmed with matching engraving and floral conchos. Russet round reins are mounted with series of sterling collars over their first 16" before flattening the rest of their length. The orig Bohlin saddle pad with alternating black and white wool trim is present along with saddle stand. Accompanying this lot are 10 orig photographs of this saddle taken circa 1940 with Mr. Bergman on horseback with saddle along with orig 336 pg Bohlin Catalog with Bergman's name and address and notes as to extras he wished along with notes on Martingale & Headstall from Visalia (9/18/42). Also accompanying is cowboy hat made by Leyburn, which has inscription on sweatband "Fred W Bergman, Jr. Cuba 1934" along with address in Philadelphia. SIZE: PROVENANCE: Fred W. Bergman, Jr., about 1942; Christies, Lot 423, November 30, 1999. CONDITION: Saddle overall is sound and solid. Leather has areas of crazing and dryness to some straps, but overall above average and well preserved. Reins show much crazing but are sound and complete as is leather on headstall and bridle. Silver appears complete, including all spots and tips. There are scattered small dings and dents in candle edging and stirrup cover facings. Chain holding three conchos on headstall is broken on left side. Accompanying hat has some stitching and cord loose in sweatband, with scattered moth tracking. Catalog is complete with soiling and cracking at hinges. Photographs are all very good. 51493-1 JS (30,000-50,000)