Something for Everyone

Brian Lebel and Morphy Auctions return to Las Vegas for a live sale and dealer show.

When show owner and longtime Western art dealer Brian Lebel moved his hit Western show from Mesa, Arizona, to Las Vegas, there was immediately some quality-of-life changes that collectors and dealers enjoyed: an active nightlife that didn’t close at 9 p.m., multiple restaurants within walking distance and access to a huge Western city known for its extravagance. But just under the hood, down just a little further, Lebel noticed things that were even more encouraging: high participation, active bidding, increased foot traffic and no drop-off in attendance from the Arizona show. The move, by all accounts, was a success.

White Bull’s Historic Ledger and Story Book, 14 x 8½ x ¾" Estimate: $75/125,000

Now, Lebel and Morphy Auctions are returning to Las Vegas for the Old West Show & Auction on January 24 and 25 at the Westgate Resort & Casino. Also returning is a 500-lot auction and a massive dealer show with vendors who are experts in the Old West, Southwest, Far West and everything in between, as well as Native American dealers who specialize in pottery, basketry, weavings, carvings, paintings, beadwork, quillwork, historical artifacts and so much more.

“We’re excited to be back,” Lebel says of his popular show. “We had fun last year in Las Vegas, so we wanted to come back and do it again.”

The Old West Show & Auction kicks off January 24 at 9 a.m. with the opening of the show, which runs until 5 p.m. That afternoon, starting at 4 p.m., the auction will take place in the same location, with a live auctioneer taking bids in the room and staff monitoring bidding from online platforms and phones. On January 25, the show once again returns from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Great Lakes Ball-Headed War Club, 27” Estimate: $6/8,000

As always, Lebel offers exclusive VIP access on January 22 and 23 during the dealer set-up period for any collectors who want to get a jump on viewing and purchasing material before the public part of the show opens.

Noteworthy auction lots include a wide variety of Native American material and objects, including important artifacts from the 19th century. Lebel estimates about 20 percent of the sale will be material made by Native Americans. Among the highlights is the White Bull historic ledger and storybook, estimated at $75,000 to $125,000. The book appeared in a previous Lebel sale, but failed to find a bidder. Since then, Lebel and his team have lowered the estimates to more competitive numbers and have also done more research on the lot.

Navajo Yei Dancer Textile, 96 x 50" Estimate: $3/4,000

Navajo Silver Bridle, 19" Estimate: $3,5/4,500

“White Bull did two ledgers, and this was the second one. The first one didn’t have words, but this one does so we feel it’s a bit more historic,” Lebel says, adding that he brought in a handwriting expert to help transcribe some of the writing. “It’s a powerful book that has all of the great battles. It’s something that needs to be looked at and placed with the right bidder.”

The sale has acquired two historic weapons that will be offered: a Great Lakes ball-headed war club (est. $6/8,000) and a Plains Indian gun stock war club (est. $8/10,000).

Unique Early Navajo Silver Bridle, 19" Estimate: $4/6,000

Gros Ventre/Assiniboine Beaded Bridle, 32 x 10½ x 7" Estimate: $7/9,000

Another well-represented category is Native American bridles. Two different lots feature silver Navajo bridles with estimates under $6,000, and then a third lot is a Gros Ventre/Assiniboine beaded bridle (est. $7/9,000). All three are made with high-quality materials and by skilled hands.

The Las Vegas sale will feature a number of textiles that should excite collectors from that category. “We always have a great selection of weavings, and they are always very affordable,” Lebel says. “This year we have some mid-century pieces and some really wonderful pictorials. We have probably 45 pieces we’re going to be offering. There will be something for everyone. Now is the time to be buying weavings. I think people are missing the boat on some of these great pieces we’re seeing.” One example is a Navajo Yei dancer textile measuring 96 by 50 inches. It’s estimated at $3,000 to $4,000.

Lot of Four Vintage Plateau Beaded Flatbags, various sizes ranging from 7½ to 10 in. long Estimate: $1,5/2,500

Plains Indian Gun Stock War Club, 32” Estimate: $8/10,000

Finally, the sale will offer four vintage Plateau beaded flatbags in various sizes. They will be sold together with estimates ranging from $1,500 to $2,500.

Lebel notes that he acquired so much material, all of it very quickly, that he’s already begun to fill a March 2025 online sale. “We get some of the best material in the world,” he says, adding that he hopes people visit in person so they can get the full experience. “It all comes down to our dealers. They are so knowledgeable. So, while we do have online bidding, people should come to the show to meet our dealers and learn from the best people in the business. They can help them start collecting or take their collecting to the next level.”

January 24-25, 2025
Brian Lebel’s Old West Show & Auction
Westgate Resort & Casino, Ballroom West
3000 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, NV 89109
(877) 968-8880, www.oldwestevents.com