This is a Texas style Hope saddle from the early 1900's. This saddle was manufactured by the Marks Brothers Saddle Company of Omaha, Nebraska. This company was in the saddle making business from 1890 to 1930. Their makers mark can be found stamped on the left rear skirt in a rectagular box. It reads "MARKS BROS. SAD. CO./OMAHA NEB. The hand tooling of the leather can be found throughout the saddle, from the pommel to the cantle. Thee saddle measures 18 1/4" from the pommel to the cantle, is 10" wide and 7" tall, 9 1/2" if you include the horn. The tree is completely covered in rawhide, then recovered with leather. The rawhide stitching is very tight and unbroken. This is a bit unusual, as it was common for the stitching to break and the rawhide to peel back on the tree edges. The areas of the saddle reinforced with leather have beautiful hand tooled markings. This quality craftsmanship can be seen on the pommel, cantle, seat, and fenders. There are also several brass rosettes located around the saddle. The bent oak stirrups and straps, along with the sweats are missing unfortunately. The quarter straps are 100% intact. This one came with oral history of coming out of Texas, but has no documentation to support it. In any case, this is an incredible example of a late 1800's early 1900's Texas style Hope saddle that would compliment any Western themed collection!

Item # AA2922