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.
![](https://sidrichardsonmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/120-124-125_bohlin_leather-810x1024.jpg)
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.
![](https://sidrichardsonmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Bohlin-catalog-saddle-examples-1024x1024.jpg)
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.