Since the pandemic started, show and auction owner Brian Lebel has tried to put on three major shows in New Mexico and Arizona. The first, in June 2020, was canceled completely as Covid tore through the country. The second, in January 2021, was reduced from a show and auction to just an auction. Then, in June 2021, Lebel was ready to host a reduced capacity dealer show and sale, but then at the last minute, New Mexico relaxed some of its health protocols, allowing a larger show to take place.
Morenci turquoise matched set with Roger Skeet conchos, Jose Bowannie inlay, and a Rolex watch band by Fred Thompson. Through C.G. Wallace, with paperwork. Estimate: $15/25,000
Inch by inch, Lebel is reclaiming his popular events. And on January 21 he may get as close as ever to that pre-pandemic level of show everyone is fighting to get back to. “We go into these things very carefully, because it can always change, but this one feels really good and it’s looking like it might be a full show,” he says, adding that he quickly sold out of more than 150 dealer booths and the auction will be two sessions, with around 400 lots in each. “People are ready to come back, and not just to the auction, but to the full show. These dealers are friends, and many have been with me for nearly 35 years, so it’s going to feel good to have them back in Mesa.”
Joe Quintana (Cochiti, 1915-1991), cuff with high-grade Number 8 turquoise Estimate: TBD
Mark Chee (Navajo, 1914-1981), custom silver and turquoise gun grips, made to fit a Colt Bisley revolver Estimate: $3/3,500
The Mesa Old West Show & Auction features two evening sales, held on January 21 and 22, and a two-day dealer show held on January 22 and 23. The auction portion takes place at the Delta Marriott Mesa in Mesa, Arizona, while the show takes place at the Mesa Convention Center next door to the hotel. Lebel’s dealer shows have a rich history in both Western and Native American collecting circles, and they routinely feature top dealers from all around the country. Whether its Sharps rifles or Winchester repeaters, vintage bits and spurs, parade saddles, Pueblo pottery, Navajo weavings or countless other Western materials, Lebel’s shows often feature experts in all of the different categories.
“We’re very proud of the dealers we have,” he says. “In Santa Fe this summer, when the city was forcing us to reduce our numbers to 65 dealers, people might have thought, ‘Why would I want to come if there’s only 65 dealers?’ Well, my response then was that these were the 65 best dealers in the country. You wouldn’t have to wander far to talk to the professionals about whatever it was you were inquiring about.”
He’s quick to add, “Of course, I’m very happy we will have more than 65 dealers this time. We’re expecting more than 150.”
Upper Missouri hide and quilled men’s coat, ca. second half 19th century Estimate: $10/15,000
Assiniboine hide and quilled men’s shirt, ca. third quarter 19th century. Estimate: $8/12,000
Highlights from the sale include the Dick Flood Sr. and Daro Flood Family Collection, which take place during the first session on January 21. Dick Flood was responsible for starting the influential Trailside Galleries, which is still bringing top-quality Western artwork to collectors today. The Flood collection includes hundreds of paintings, sketches, etchings, bronzes and more. Much of the collection is Western material, but key portions are from Native American artists, including numerous pieces of silver and turquoise jewelry. The Floods made meticulous records about their art, and much of it was saved in boxes that were sent to Lebel for the auction. “I started with 65 file boxes of materials,” he says. “I’m down to eight left. It’s been quite a process going through it all and matching it to pieces in the collection.”
Southern Cheyenne beaded moccasins, ca. early 20th century, 10½” long Estimate: $1/1,500
Austin Wilson (Navajo, 1900-1976), cuff with Number 8 turquoise Estimate: TBD
Other highlights include a matched set of Morenci turquoise Roger Skeet conchos with Jose Bowannie inlay, and a Rolex watch band by Fred Thompson. The items have documentation that shows they passed through the hands of noted 20th-century art dealer C.G. Wallace, who had become a prominent force at the Zuni Pueblo. The items are expected to fetch $15,000 to $25,000.
Pictorial Apache Olla, ca. first quarter 20th century, 14½ x 11½”. From the Dick Sr. and Daro Flood Family Collection. Estimate: $6/8,000
Mary Knight Benson (Pomo, 1877-1933), Pomo basket ring Estimate: TBD
Other jewelry items include pieces by Cochiti artist Joe Quintana, and Navajo jewelers Austin Wilson and Mark Chee, who created a rare pair of silver pistol grips (est. $3/3,500) that were made to fit a Colt Bisley revolver. “These are very rare. In fact, they’re the only pair I’ve ever come across,” Lebel says. “If there are any more out there then I haven’t seen them. They should be interesting in the sale.”
Other works include three clothing items: an Upper Missouri hide and quilled men’s coat (est. $10/15,000), that likely comes from the second half of the 19th century; an Assiniboine hide and quilled men’s shirt (est. $8/12,000) and Southern Cheyenne beaded moccasins (est. $1/1,500) from the early 20th century.
Native American Art magazine is a proud media sponsor of Brian Lebel’s Mesa Old West Show & Auction.
January 21-23, 2022
Brian Lebel’s Mesa Old West Show & Auction
Mesa Convention Center, 263 N. Center Street,
Mesa, AZ 85201
(480) 779-9378, www.oldwestevents.com
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