December 16, 17, & 18, 2020 Field & Range Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/16/2020
Fantastic sterling silver mounted Edward H. Bohlin custom parade saddle, bridle, and breast collar made for western film actor and personality, Mickey Eissa. Eissa was born in 1896 and later served in the US Army cavalry during WW1. He was discharged honorably as a Corporal. He then found his way to California and the booming Western movie industry. He was a contemporary and friend of the likes of Tom Mix, and and was close friends with noted western actor and personality Leo Carillo, aka "Pancho". Eissa had this saddle made in Hollywood in 1936 and rode it in the world famous Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena as well as other Southern California parades and the Santa Barbara Fiesta Days. He is pictured in a March 1939 issue of Life magazine astride this very saddle in a San Francisco parade. He also owned the Silver Saddle liquor store (no doubt named after his love of this saddle) in Redondo Beach, California, and prominently displayed it in the window. He was known for his love of the Old West, and his role in the Hopalong Cassidy (William Boyd) movie Riders of the Timberline (1941) and Outlaws of the Desert (1941). He died on August 14, 1962 in Hermosa Beach, California, USA. In trademark Bohlin fashion, the saddle is built on a Miles City tree with ornately engraved heavy gauge silver swells, horn, and scalloped silver cantle. The skirts and tapaderos are adorned with alternating engraved round and diamond conchos artistically separated by stacked pairs of Bohlin’s trademark silver spots. The fenders are 9” wide and 36" long with 20" tapaderos. Saddle has 15” swells, a 4” cantle and a 15” seat. The horn is 3" tall with a 2.75" solid silver horn cap with a horse head in relief. Heavy gauge engraved sterling plates on the tips of the taps also feature raised relief horse heads in fine detail. The saddle includes a matching Bohlin bridle and breast collar with maker-marked silver overlaid Bohlin made port bit with the original sterling ferruled reins. Eissa's name is on both the saddle and the rear cantle plate. All of the ornamentation on the saddle and accessories are sterling silver and are all hand cut and hand engraved. Consignor claims there is 200 ounces of silver on this saddle made up of over 500 individual pieces. Saddle and accessories remain in fine to excellent condition for their age and the saddle shows exceptional attention to detail. A rare opportunity to own a pre-war Bohlin with deep California ties. CONDITION: Excellent. NOTE: The display stands are not included with the saddle.
Condition: EXCELLENT.