June 22, 2024 Brian Lebel's Santa Fe Old West Events Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/22/2024
Custom ordered for self-made industrialist, political kingmaker and Presidential Medal of Freedom honoree, Justin W. Dart (1907-1984), this near-mythical Edward H. Bohlin silver and gold mounted parade saddle is adorned with multiple silver and gold figural conchos, but what sets it apart from all other Bohlin saddles is the Disney homage on the swell caps, depicting a gold "Cowboy" Mickey Mouse twirling a rope with the name "Walt Disney" in gold cursive letters just below the iconic mouse. While both historians and Bohlin collectors have speculated and argued for years if or how Dart was able to get Ed Bohlin to replicate the highly protected Disney trademarked mouse image, it is well known that both Justin Dart and Walt Disney traveled in similar California social and political circles and Dart's wife, Jane Bryan, was a well-liked actress in Hollywood. However, the most obvious and deepest overlapping connection would probably be Ronald Reagan, who both men were closely associated with for many decades. Setting Mickey and Walt aside for now, the rest of this special order "San Gabriel" style parade saddle is rather impressive, with its gold-laden corner plates and square rope-edge silver conchos featuring gold bucking horses, longhorns, eagles, Indians, animals, buffalo, ranch brands, guns, dogs, religious imagery, a pipe (random) and several images that were obviously personal to Mr. Dart alone. The saddle is made on a Miles City tree, with a 15" seat, 15" swells, 5" cantle with twisted rope edge, 15" by 30" skirts, 9" fenders, and regal 24" long tapaderos. The horn replicates the rope edge of the cantle and gullet and is topped with Bohlin's familiar gold buffalo head concho. The fully matching breast collar, bridle and overlaid curb bit were also personalized by the owner with a combination of gold figures that do appear in the Bohlin catalog and many others that were custom made by Ed for this very discriminating client. The unique saddle set includes a black and white corona, cinch and wooden display stand.
Provenance: Ex George Pitman Collection, Rancho Santa Fe, CA
Justin Dart Sr. (1907 - 1984) was a self-made California millionaire who was one of a small group of men of similar backgrounds who played a key role in launching President Reagan into politics. A major political contributor and fundraiser, the jut-jawed Mr. Dart was a colorful and plain-spoken businessman to whom political observers accorded a prominent place in what they termed President Reagan's "kitchen cabinet," an unofficial group of friends, advisers and confidants. After starting in business as an employee of his father-in-law's drugstore, Mr. Dart went on to become head of Dart Industries, a diversified commercial empire, which in 1980 earned profits of $172 million. After marrying Ruth Walgreen, a daughter of the owner of the Walgreen Drug Co., he was sent to Phoenix to learn the pharmacy business. Advancing swiftly in the company, he was made head of store operations by 1932. Although he and his wife were divorced seven years later, the chain's founder, Charles Walgreen, left a substantial share of the business to his former son-in-law. Within a few years, Mr. Dart left Walgreen to join an old college fraternity brother in forming the United Drug Co., which operated four chains of stores. He moved to California in 1945 and renamed his company Rexall Drug Co. the next year. In 1969 it became Dart Industries, whose profits came from such products as Tupperware, Duracell batteries and West Bend pots and pans. In 1980, the concern merged with Kraft Inc., and Mr. Dart became chairman of the combined company. A gregarious man who was popular with other wealthy figures, Mr. Dart became important in California politics both as a contributor and fundraiser, and was widely regarded in his state as a political kingmaker. In many ways he appeared characteristic of those who were attracted to Reagan early on. Within the "kitchen cabinet", Mr. Dart was perhaps distinguished for his opinionated outspokenness. In 1982 he sent a letter of apology to President Gerald Ford after a newspaper quoted Mr. Dart as saying in vivid language that the former president lacked intelligence. Mr. Dart was a director emeritus of United Air Lines and UAL Inc. Active in civic affairs, he was chairman of the board of trustees of the University of Southern California from 1967 to 1971, and was a trustee of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles. He also was a member of the board of the Eisenhower Medical Center in Palm Desert, Calif. After his divorce in 1939, Mr. Dart married actress Jane Bryan in 1940, with whom he remained married for 44 years.
This is not a standard shippable item and will require 3rd party shipping or pickup arrangements to be made.