Collecting the West and Your Top 5 Tips for Acquisitions
Posted by Jim Olson on Sep 22nd 2024
When people think of the "Old West," they often visualize Outlaws, Lawmen, Cowboys, and Native Americans — as portrayed by Dime Novels and Hollywood during the first half of the 20th century. However, the true Old West was much more. While the American exploration of the West began in the early 19th century, it wasn’t until after the Civil War that folks ventured out in droves in search of a better life. The Old West, as a historical period, is often considered to span from the end of the Civil War (when people started going west en masse) to the 1890s (coinciding with the end of the Indian Wars, the fencing of the ranges, and modern firearms). And these are definitely the most romanticized years, but we believe the collectible period associated with the Old West covers from when Mountain Men, Fur Trappers and Explorers came west in the early 1800s — and extended well into the 20th century (after all, Arizona didn’t even become a state until 1912, and Buffalo Bill’s Wild West was still active at the time).
As one can see, Old West collectibles are a vast subject, covering a century or so of time, and they appeal to a wide range of interests. Whether you are interested in the history of art depicting the era, weaponry, Native American or Western Americana, the Old West offers something for collectors of many interests. It wasn’t all just about “Cowboys and Indians” however; the Old West encompasses many facets of American history, including the Mountain man era, post-Civil War era, mining, railroads, gunfighters, emerging artists, the Wild West shows and beginnings of rodeo, and the list goes on.
Given the wide variety of categories which fall under Old Western memorabilia, it is recommended for collectors to choose a specific area of focus. Some may start with a certain subject which has a personal connection to them, while others' interests are more general. Potential subjects for a collection are vast, but in the beginning, budding collectors should narrow their attention to a particular subject area before expanding into other interests. Regardless of the chosen subject, thoroughly learning about it is a critical step. Among other things, it helps the collector identify the authentic pieces and avoid spending good money on bad items, helping to ensure their collection is both historically correct and valuable.
In no particular order, here are a few of the more popular subjects one might consider:
Famous Figures
Known outlaws, lawmen, warriors, ranchers or any other figure to have made a significant impact on the history of the Old West would be considered the “crème de la crème” of collecting. Of course items directly associated with these figures also fetch high prices and coincidentally are the most faked. So this subject is not for the novice collector.
Cowboys
An American cowboy is probably the most iconic image associated with the Old West. To this day folks still emulate them. Items like saddles, spurs, chaps, hats and boots from the 19th and early 20th centuries are highly sought after by Western collectors.
Native Americans
Native Americans are right up there with Cowboys when images of the Old West are imagined. Native American artifacts are popular among collectors. Items such as baskets, rugs, bead work, pottery and weapons are particularly sought after.
Military
Militaria from the Old West era can cover numerous subjects starting with the Mexican - American War, Civil War, Indian Wars and Pancho Villa even raided Columbus, New Mexico as late as 1916, which sent the American Army into Mexico for several months afterwards looking for retribution. Militaria is a special area of interest to many collectors.
Weapons
Weaponry of all kinds, whether it be rifles, pistols, knives or bows and arrows — from any of the categories mentioned above — are highly collectible and sought after by collectors. However, antique firearms, being one of the most sought after collectibles from the Old West period, do require a special area of knowledge in order to avoid buying “a pig in a poke.”
Mining
Gold and silver discoveries of the 19th century had a huge impact on the development of the Old West. Mining tools and equipment, old photos, stock certificates, and maps associated with mining have become popular collectibles.
Wild West Shows
Wild West shows, popular from the 1880s thru the 1920s, not only played a significant role in romanticizing the West, for the most part, they used real life Western Characters. While Buffalo Bill's Wild West was the most famous, others such as Pawnee Bill’s Wild West Show, Texas Jack's Wild West and the 101 Ranch Wild West Show were well-known. Collectibles such as posters, programs, and costumes associated with the shows are highly prized collectibles.
Western Art
Just like the Wild West Shows, towards the later part of the Old West era, works by artists such as Remington, Russell, and Maynard Dixon portrayed images and characters of the West in a way that has been hard to successfully recreate. Significant works of art from the period are another example of high-end Western memorabilia. Just like items associated with historical figures however, this subject is not for the novice. Reproductions are numerous and the entry fee is usually high, so one can lose a small fortune if one does not know what they are doing.
Top 5 Tips for Collecting Western Memorabilia
1) Choose a Focus: Start by selecting a specific subject area within Old West memorabilia to guide your collection. Focus will help you build a cohesive and meaningful collection.
2) Research Thoroughly: Invest time in researching the items you are interested in collecting. Knowledge is key to identifying authentic pieces and avoiding fakes.
3) Condition and Provenance: The condition of an item and its provenance significantly impacts value. Be cautious of items that look old but lack proper provenance, as they may have been made for the tourist trade in the 20th century.
4) Buy from Reputable Dealers: The value of Western memorabilia can be great, so it's essential to purchase items from trusted sources who stand behind what they sell. This can help ensure authenticity.
5) Start Small, Think Big: Begin with smaller, more affordable items as you build your collection. Over time, you can expand your collection to include more valuable pieces as your knowledge and budget grow.
These tips can help collectors successfully navigate the world of Western memorabilia and build a collection of historical significance and value. By collecting items associated with the passing of the American frontier, YOU can help preserve and perpetuate our rich Western History and Heritage for future generations.
Jim Olson © 2024