This bit is
one of only several known to have been made, three of which were engraved by the
master silversmith, Alsalio Herrera (1850 - 1941). Mr. Herrera was hired
as head engraver by G. S. Garcia in 1899, the year of the first G. S. Garcia
catalog. At that time, Mr. Herrera already had 35 years experience making
bits and spurs with his father in Visalia, CA. In preparation for the
Garcia Shop's entry to the 1904 World's Fair competition, he made this and three
other of the known prototypes of this bit,- one of which is in the Nevada State
Historical Museum along with the famous saddle set that won gold at the 1904 St.
Louis World's Fair and the Lewis and Clark Exposition in Portland, OR in 1905.
Mr. Herrera also engraved the bridle and the silver trim on the saddle of the
winning set, which was ridden by many governors of Nevada and California in
parades and by President Roosevelt at the Cheyenne Frontier Days in 1904.
workmanship style of the overall piece. It is the 'holy grail' of bit
collection, as it combines the
mystique of the famous G. S. Garcia saddle set with the best engraver, the G. S.
Garcia shop, and is in its
own right a beautifully executed and engraved bit. Being an unmarked bit, making
its creation as a prototype and not made for sale, renders it even more
exclusive.
Updated:
Thursday May 17, 2012
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Member: National Bit, Spur & Saddle Collector's Association and Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America
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Pure Cowboy
Member: National Bit, Spur & Saddle Collector's Association and Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America
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Item #B1009 / $14,000.
The Legendary World's Fair Saddle Set Prototype Bit
This Herrera #1 Eagle bit was recently
obtained at an exclusive auction and is of impeccable
qualification. Until this bit was discovered, it was thought that there
were only 2 pieces made by A.
Herrera. This is unquestionably Herrera's work due to the engraving style
of the "fairy horses" in the
conchos and the This bit was made in the year 1903 in preparation for the legendary Saddle Set of Bridle, Reins, Bit and Saddle that was created for the famous St. Louis 1904 World's Fair. The win (Gold Medal) rocketed the G. S. Garcia shop into stardom and bestowed upon G.S. and his craftsmen the ultimate recognition of being the best silversmiths, leatherworkers, saddlemakers, metal forgers and western motif designers in the world.
PICTURED AT RIGHT: PAGE 235 FROM "BIT AND SPUR MAKERS in the VAQUERO TRADITION by Ned and Jody Martin. SHOWING THE OTHER KNOWN PRIVATELY OWNED A. HERRERA ENGRAVED #1 EAGLE BIT. This bit is full of detailed engraving from top to bottom. The Eagle is rising in flight with the shield of the US in its talons. Many motifs were taken from coins used to decorate the matching saddle (silver dollars, etc...) that feature the shield and eagle. The cheek rings are decorated with wavy engraving patterns and the slobber bar is a beautiful rendition of an eagle in flight. Notice the particular way of engraving eyes that is accepted as Mr. Herrera's 'signature' style. The eagle's feathers come alive in the engraving with depth and texture. The rein hardware is attached. The bit measures 8 & 1/2" long by 6" wide. The raised conchos are 2 & 1/2" in diameter. The inner, raised, part of each concho features 3 signature Herrera horses, named the Fairy Horses. That is surrounded on each side by 20 silver buttons. The Eagle and Shield is 3 & 1/2" high by approximately 2 & 1/2" wide. The cricket is closely striated in a diagonal pattern within a slide that measures 2" long by 1" wide in a fixed curb design. The bit is hand-forged and hand engraved, overlaid with engraved silver throughout. The absence of a maker's mark in an authenticated piece of G. S. Garcia / A. Herrera work only adds to the rarity. Unquestionably authentic and period correct throughout and in all areas. This amazing piece of artistry is one of the most rare and impressive G. S. Garcia bits ever made.
Originally designed for the Garcia Beauty - the 1904 gold-medal winning saddle ensemble exhibited at the St. Louis World's Fair, this design was later continued (1906-1912 as a very limited production half-breed bit. It is identical to the one featured on the legendary Elko "prize" saddle with its exquisitely engraved silver overlay, perched eagle atop a Union shield and cheeks with 2 1/4” scalloped conchas and raised perimeter buttons plus the mythical “fairy” horse heads (aka Pharaoh Horses), and a stylized spread eagle slobber bar. Unquestionably that same dazzling Garcia bit that only appears in a few of their earliest catalogs before its sheer cost rendered it economically impractical to continue production. Excellent condition, c. 1903-1904.
G. S. Garcia #1 Eagle World's Fair Prototype Bit, Herrera Engraved / Item #B1009 / $14,000. Click Here To Send Us An E-mail About This Bit! Contact Us To Arrange Your Purchase
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Please contact us at your convenience: michael@purecowboy.us or sarah@purecowboy.us Members: National Bit, Spur & Saddle Collector's Association The American West is celebrated and collected by people all over the world -- we offer easy international shipping, by either the US Postal Service, UPS, Federal Express or Container. Pure Cowboy, 1770 West State Street, # 315, Boise, Idaho 83702 208.342.5019 or toll free: 888.575.1890 All items sold by Pure Cowboy are for decorative purposes only. All other uses are exclusively the buyer's responsibility Copyright © 2008-2014 Pure Cowboy |