The Cowboy Boot

People collect things for various reasons. Some collect antique furniture while others are interested in glassware, ceramics  or whatnots. Still others might be interested in cars. Byron Price collects antique saddles.

It’s said that Price became interested in Western history and saddles after leaving his hometown of Lubbock for college. He ended up with a graduate degree in museum science, which fueled the fire for things to come.  For over 40 years, Price studied American saddle-making with a special interest in antique saddles and their makers.

Price advises when purchasing an antique saddle, to consider the following: History, embellishment and condition. He suggests that saddles made prior to the late 19th century are extremely rare and hard to find. Embellishment has to do with saddle decor, and condition is self-explanatory. Those in good condition are worth more than their counterparts.

So — if you want to know when saddles were first developed and who developed them, or how saddles came to North America, Byron Price is your go-to guy. While you’ve got his attention, he can also advise where to purchase the hard-to-find and rare saddles, preservation, and wonderful books to read up on the subject.

Source: Cowboy & Indians, June 2008 Issue

Tags: cowboy history, saddles