SPECIAL ORDERS AT G. S. GARCIA-ELKO, NEVADA

Occasionally bits, spurs and saddles will show up with an extra special twist—made to order and personalized.  These pieces impart the full realization of the reason for the existence of the beautiful pieces of art which we so revere: the cowboys, ranchers and Hollywood stars who ordered them.  Most collectors focus on the makers and the history of the craftsmen and designs simply because there are so few custom pieces out there and such a dearth of written history on those great works.  There were two ways to have an effect on the finished product when it was being ordered, customization and personalization.  Keep in mind, these buyers were ordering the most expensive and best made items of the day.  The price of an intricate bit from the G. S. Garcia shop in 1924 was equivalent of a month’s wages for a ranch foreman; a saddle took a long time to save up for and so did spurs.  The availability of these items through mail order opened up a whole new market and allowed people from all over the world to own these objects. They were the best quality and quickly became the top status symbol.  The draw to spend such an amount of money was the exquisite workmanship, essentially a guarantee of lifelong usability.  This was enhanced by the artistry which never failed to impart the wearer with an air of impeccable taste and financial means.  G. S. Garcia offered the same special order customization capability through his catalog as he did to those who came to his shop in Elko.  On spurs, the shanks could be special ordered by choosing your preferred style from the catalog illustration (as shown).

Saddles could be customized by a mix and match option of fenders, tree styles, engraving and stamping patterns as well as stirrups and tapaderos—offered separately so the rider could choose which were to be used depending on whether riding in a parade or an event or simply riding the range.

 The taps shown are from the 1924 G. S. Garcia catalog and are found in excellent condition on the G. S. Garcia saddle from the same time, at Pure Cowboy.  Bits could be ordered with slobber bar or chain, and the style of rein chains could also be selected by the buyer.

Customization ensured the customer was getting the best match between the spur, bit or saddle and its intended use.  This also allowed us to have some insight into the various preferences which were important to the people who customized their equipment.  We often remark on how wonderful it would be for these items to talk.  That won’t happen; but sometimes we can get the faintest of whispers from examining the personal touches of the special orders.

This article is reprinted with permission from the April 2012 issue of the Pure Cowboy Newsletter, available for download at: http://www.purecowboy.us/April%20Newsletter%202012.pdf

EARLY AMERICAN WEST BARBER SET

This wonderful piece of American day-to-day history is a complete collection of barber's items in a pre-turn of the century cabinet.  The list of items within this collection is extensive and all pieces are period-perfect and individually represent a wealth of history.  Taken together, this is a collection that would easily fit into a museum collection or private display of interesting and unique Americana.

This collection is available at www.purecowboy.us

The Early Barber's Set Includes:

Wooden Cabinet and Leather Strop

Wooden Cabinet with Mirror, 2 Shelves and Drawer: The cabinet measures 12 and 1/4" Wide by 22 and 1/2" High by 8 and 3/4" at the base.  The top of the display is carved with 3 flowers, the middle being the largest (1 and 1/2" in diameter), flanked by 2 smaller (3/4" in diameter) matching flowers.  The drawer has a beautiful period hardware pull (presumably brass).  The hardware measures 2 and 3/4" wide and is scalloped at the base where it is affixed to the drawer.  The drawer's interior measurements are 10" Wide by 6 and 1/2" Deep by 2 and 1/2" High.  The mirror is beautiful old glass, beveled at the edges.  Its' dimensions are 10 and 3/4" by 11 and 1/2".  The right side of the cabinet has a knob installed to hold the sharpening strop.  Beautiful!

The strop is a great piece of thick tanned leather, well used and still flexible without any cracks.  The top of the strop is fitted with a metal attachment and 2 chain links for hanging as storage, also to keep tension while sharpening the razor.  Length 23" by 2" wide.

Shaving Cup and Shaving Brush

This very nice pre-1900's shaving cup is for the mixing of the shaving soap and has a raised portion (with holes to allow the draining of the soap back into the mail cup area) for setting the shaving brush.  The only marking on the cup is a number on the bottom: 1204.  The main pattern is floral and the focal point is a portrait of a man with full beard and mustache, smoking a cigar, wearing a hat and seems to have a rifle slung over his shoulder.  The overall design is classic Victoriana.  The cup is 3 and 3/4" in diameter, 3 and 1/2" high, and the handle comes out 1 and 1/4 inches from the side.

The shaving brush is a thing of beauty and elegance.  The handle is brown-painted wood and the bristles are made of blonde colored badger hair.  The brush is 4" long.  The hair is still solidly attached to the brush and the wood remains crack-free.

Clothing Brush - for Hair Removal

A wooden and horse-hair brush for post-clipping hair removal from the customer's neck and clothes.  This is beautifully made with the wooden handle lathed in a multiple tiered pattern rounds with a knob at the end.  The horsehair has been artfully inserted into the handle in bunches of dark and light colored hair so as to have a quite stunning striped effect.  The brush is appropriately large, measuring 9" long.  The handle makes up 5 and 1/4" of that length.

Graduated Celluloid Comb

This comb is a faux mother-of-pearl or tortoise-shell pattern made of celluloid, as was the practice pre-plastics.  The graduated sizing of the tines begins as 3/4" and reaches 1" at the large end.  It is missing 2 tines, which only adds to its' character as a true relic of days long ago.  Measures 7 and 1/8" long.

Blue Glass Aftershave Tonic Bottle

This a an amazing glass bottle - made of blue opaque glass with a gilt floral painted design. The bottle features an ornate metal top stopper.  It is 8 and 1/2" high and at the widest point, the bottle measures 3 5/8" in diameter.  A beautiful piece.

Bottle of Chamberlain's Hand Lotion - Half Full!

This truly unique vial of Chamberlain's Hand Lotion is still half full of this 49% alcohol hand lotion.  The glass bottle measures only 2 and 3/4" high and 1" W by 3/4" Deep.  It is stamped in the glass: CHAMBERLAIN'S HAND LOTION / ALCOHOL 49%. The top is stopped with a miniature cork.

Straight Razor - Incredibly Decorated Handle

 An intricately decorated straight razor, made in Solingen, Germany.  Stamped: C. W. Engels / Solingen - Foch / 57 / Marked with an angel.  This razor is listed as a rare razor on page 20 of Celluloid Handle Guide for Straight Razor Collectors, Reflecting 50 Years of Handle Designs 1870 - 1920, by Robert A. Doyle.

  This is a quite rare and collectible razor with a fancy celluloid handle.  The scene is that of a hunt with horse and riders following dogs chasing a deer through the woods.  It's colored in burgundy on celluloid-ivory.  The other side is fully decorated with symbols: a fox head, rifle, crossbow, spears, skull and cross, horn, wreath, etc... 

These are symbols of a Germanic hunting theme.  The cross is called the Hubertus Cross which is a symbol of a battle on November 3rd, 1444 and was also built in 1776 in the middle of Germany.  A beautiful and interesting piece.

Scissors (not pictured):

The pair of scissors may have been sold through Montgomery Ward . They are simply marked FORGED STEEL / U.S.A. and measure 7 and 3/4" long.

 Antique Barber's Set/ Item #UA551