He says, “I think people are starting to appreciate the rarity and craftsmanship involved in the pieces,” Lebel says. According to Lebel, the market for equine items has fluctuated in recent years, as it does with any type of collectible, but prices have stabilized across most of the segment and higher end items have seen a nice rebound.

He also consults and appraises for private collectors and major museums. Brian Lebel is the man behind two of the largest and most prestigious Western Americana collecting events in the country: The High Noon Show & Auction, held every January in Mesa, AZ, and the Old West Show & Auction held in Fort Worth, TX, each June. If there are buyers for collectibles, there assuredly will be sellers who specialize in the category. From corporate offices in New York or Munich to living rooms in Texas, vintage tack and spurs are finding their way into prominent collectors’ displays. The Old West still captures the imagination of people around the globe, and the horse is forever hitched to that popular cultural genre. Additionally, enthusiasts now span a wide range of backgrounds, ages, and locations.

Whether it’s beautifully tooled bits, antique saddles, braided rawhide, or halters, interest in the history, artistry, craftsmanship, and design of these pieces is on the rise. Novem| Filed under: Current Articles, Editorial, Featured | Posted by: Brittany BevisĪll horse people accumulate a lot of trappings related to their passion, but there are some who take buying equine items to another level: the collectors.

Billy klapper bits and spurs