Edward H Bohlin Sterling Silver American Indian Chief Letter Opener
View Similar Items
Edward H Bohlin Sterling Silver American Indian Chief Letter Opener
About the Item
- Creator:Edward H. Bohlin (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 10.5 in (26.67 cm)Width: 2 in (5.08 cm)Depth: 0.25 in (6.35 mm)
- Style:Other (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1930
- Condition:Fine definition.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: BM8781stDibs: LU89808803513
Edward H. Bohlin
Edward Bohlin was born in 1895 in Sweden.He ran away from home at age 15, working his way to America on a huge four-mast schooner with dreams of Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West in his head. Bohlin worked cattle drives around Montana before opening his first saddle shop in Cody in Wyoming, where he did rope tricks in front of his shop to draw business. He met Tom Mix while performing at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood and Mix convinced Ed to stay and produce silver and leather items in the Los Angeles area. From his humble beginnings to his fame in Hollywood for high-end pieces, he crafted more than 12,000 Bohlin saddles, including many grand silver outfits of Tournament of Roses Parade fame. He also dressed many silver screen heroes and horses with his grand style of buckles, spurs and gun belts. His company was without equal among western style silversmiths building a reputation on flawless workmanship. The Edward H Bohlin company, which operated from the early 1920s through the 1980s (under Ed's watchful eye but continues to operate under other ownership), reached its apex in the 1930s, when the Hollywood cowboys reigned supreme. Bohlin was a stickler for details and employed the finest silver and leather workers of his era to satisfy discriminating clients, including Mae West, Hopalong Cassidy, Monte Hale, Lyndon Johnson and Ronald Reagan. Bohlin Saddles Roy Roger's Diamond Special Bohlin Saddle Ed Bohlin was known for his beautifully crafted parade saddles.
A perfectionist for good and bad, he never accepted anything less than the best craftsmanship. The leather on his saddles still squeaks after 60 years. The silver requires only a cloth to clean because he used the highest grade of sterling. He and his artisans made many of the pieces by hand, especially the gold figures on his saddles. His carving was stunning and recognizable. Many of High Noon's customers remember going into Bohlin's shop as children while their fathers purchased saddles, buckles, belts, bolos and money clips. Some time the kids got a special gift, too, from their dads. A few child's saddles (The Jackie Cooper model) were made to match their fathers' for parades. The Tim McCoy model and others were made for the stars of the era. Fiesta was truly a work of art, both in the silver and the pictorial carving. The Murietta was one of his brilliant models, mounted with Indian and Tepee design with distant hills all done in three shades of gold. The Dicksons were used many times for riders who wanted to twinkle with silver in parades.
Bohlin saddles have always been valued higher than any other maker and have kept their value throughout the years. Both riders and collectors of Western Americana still clamor for Bohlin, whether they plan to ride using them or only to display them proudly in their offices or living rooms as art. Bohlin Buckles Edward H. Bohlin's filigree gold buckle Ed wanted the riders of his saddles to look elegant and match the beauty and artistry of the outfit. He made fine matching vests, chaps, belts, gunbelts, bolos, hat bands and buckles to dress his riders. The most personal of Bohlin's buckles were made, some by his hand. He made buckles to honor horses, longhorns, rodeos, ranches and women. He used sterling silver, gold (in 3 colors) rubies and diamonds. He cut the metals to form lacy overlays and bound the edges to look like rope. Matching gun belts were made of the same fine leather of the saddles with the same elegant silver spots and engraving. Special gun grips were fastened to Colts and other pistols and shotguns, all sterling silver and gold with matching buckles. Bohlin spurs are also highly coveted.
Bohin made magic with plain Crockett blanks, when he covered them with fine silver and gold, making leather straps and conchos to match. The same for bits, which were highly sought after and matched the headstalls and breast collars of the parade outfits. Bohlin also had a sense of humor and would make anything the clients wanted. Mae West was a favorite and he fashioned a sterling silver telephone for her use. He made silver picture frames, pins, conchos, bolos, satchels and desk sets. Bohlin loved his customers and they loved him. Memories of Bohlin in his shop are still vivid whenever you slip that leather belt around your waist and cinch it up with that Bohlin buckle.
- Antique Native American Indian Chief Sterling Silver Letter OpenerLocated in New York, NYAmerican Edwardian sterling silver figural letter opener, ca 1910. Cast terminal in form of gaunt face surrounded by feather headdress. Neckcloth spills over onto round frame (vacant...Category
Early 20th Century American Edwardian Letter Openers
MaterialsSterling Silver
- English Victorian Novelty Sterling Silver Ruler Letter OpenerBy George Neal & George NealLocated in New York, NYVictorian sterling silver letter opener. Made by George Neal & George Neal in London in 1900. In form and with dimensions of a 12-inch ruler. Tapering point for getting underneath th...Category
Antique Early 1900s English Victorian Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Antique Kerr American Art Nouveau Sterling Silver BookmarkBy William B. Kerr & Co.Located in New York, NYTurn of the century Art Nouveau sterling silver bookmark. Made by William B. Kerr in Newark. Dagger blade engraved with interlaced script mono...Category
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Antique American Sterling Silver Inkwell by Shreve, Crump & LowBy Shreve, Crump & LowLocated in New York, NYAmerican sterling silver inkwell, circa 1880. Four gently curved sides on corner block supports. Cut ornament including scrolls, flowers, and chevrons. Sterling silver neck collar with imbricated leaf borders. Hinged bun cover same; top has chased garland, ribbon, crisscrossing horns of plenty, and laurel wreath surmounted by crown engraved with interlaced script monogram. Marked “Sterling” and Shreve...Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- American Art Nouveau Sterling Silver and Glass Inkwell by GorhamBy Gorham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in New York, NYArt Nouveau glass and sterling silver inkwell. Made by Gorham in Providence. Rectilinear clear glass block bulbous well. Sides have carved ornament: Fluid scrollwork and stylized flo...Category
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Antique American Modern Sterling Silver and Glass Inkwell on StandLocated in New York, NYModern sterling silver and glass inkwell on stand, circa 1920. Lobed melon-form glass bowl; sterling silver cover domed with overlapping ovoid ring finial. stand has well and large l...Category
Early 20th Century American Modern Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Sterling Silver Letter OpenerLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis sterling silver letter opener is a handsome piece that makes a great gift. Not only is it functional but a beautiful accent to your desk. Sleek and unadorned it works with any d...Category
Vintage 1940s Sterling Silver
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Bvlgari / Bulgari Sterling Silver Letter OpenerBy BulgariLocated in New York, NYBvlgari / Bulgari sterling silver letter opener with heavy gage silver. This high-quality decorative piece measures 7 1/2'' in length by 1'' in width, marked "Bvlgari", is sure to be...Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver
MaterialsSilver, Sterling Silver
- 1980s Sterling Silver Swan Letter OpenerBy Sarah Jones Silver 1Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon TyneAn exceptional, fine and impressive vintage Elizabeth II English sterling silver letter opener; an addition to our diverse ornamental collection This exceptional vintage Elizabeth II cast sterling silver letter opener has a sabre shaped form. The arched terminal of this letter opener has been realistically modelled in the form of a swan's neck and head. Condition This vintage sterling silver letter...Category
Vintage 1980s Great Britain (UK) Letter Openers
MaterialsSilver, Sterling Silver
- 20th Cebtury Italian Big Sterling Silver Letter OpenerBy Arval Argenti ValenzaLocated in VALENZA, ITLarge, completely handmade, sterling silver letter opener. Perfect for a prestigious desk. The blade is smooth while the hand is embossed by hand on both sides with scrolls and fl...Category
1990s Italian Other Letter Openers
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Rare Gucci Solid Sterling Silver Lion's Paw Letter OpenerBy GucciLocated in Bath, GBI have only ever had one other of these and it was silver over bronze; I was amazed to find this heavy solid silver example fully marked "925" on the underside and signed by the famo...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Letter Opener Sterling Silver Blue Enamel on Guillochè SalimbeniBy Salimbeni, Giorgio SalimbeniLocated in Firenze, FIShaped letter opener with rectangular base in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamels on guillochè. Base cm. 7.5 x 15.5 long letter opener cm. 21. Weight ...Category
Early 2000s Italian Islamic Sterling Silver
MaterialsGold, Sterling Silver, Enamel
$7,256 Sale Price20% OffFree Shipping