In honor of the 118th Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, we invite you to get into the stock show spirit with a visit to the Sid Richardson Museum to view our legendary collection of the art of the West. As part of an ongoing series during the stock show, today we’re highlighting a special piece of the museum’s collection: Sid Richardson’s Bohlin Parade Saddle outfit.
Edward H. Bohlin Company, Parade Saddle and Outfit, 1947 Saddle: Leather, sterling silver, stainless steel, mohair, wool fleece, wood Vest and Chaps: Leather, sterling silver
This saddle was made by Edward Bohlin in 1947 (pictured below). At the young age of 17, the Swedish Bohlin pursued his dreams of becoming a cowboy and moved all the way to Montana where he quickly developed a passion for fine saddles. Shortly after opening a small leather-working shop in Cody, Wyoming, Bohlin began a career in show business, making boots, saddles, and other costume pieces for Western movies. His pieces were both functional and fashionable works of art.
Edward H. Bohlin, Inc. catalog, 1927. Courtesy, Cabin Creek Enterprises LLC, www.cabincreekcds.com
A saddle is one of the most important pieces of cowboy equipment. Can you name some of the major saddle parts?
Interesting to read about products from Bohlins workshop. I live in Sweden. Mr. Ed Bohlin was a brother of my grandmother. We called him “uncle Helge” in the family. In 1979 i met Mr. Bohlin in his home in Hollywood, the year before he died. I have some objects from the fourties at home, gifts from him to my grandmother. I also have his original 1930 catalog at home. One month ago, Nov 2014, I had the opportunity to visit the Autry museum in LA and see his “big saddle”. https://sites.google.com/site/gmalmsten/diversebilder/G%C3%B6ran%20big%20saddle.JPG
Wow! How fascinating! Thanks for sharing, Göran. If you’re ever in Fort Worth, I encourage you to stop by the museum. We always have Sid Richardson’s Bohlin saddle on display.