| This Bohlin was made in Hollywood, and includes the Saddle,
the breast collar with drops, the bridle with face piece, the corona roll
saddle pad in black and white (not shown in this photo, please see below,
and the serape. Stamped with Bohlin markings throughout the bridle,
face piece, saddle, the breast collar trimmed with 24 karat gold at the
center, the serape with its drops for trim, the whole set weighing in
incredibly heavy, this is truly a lot of sterling! The bridle
features a Ricardo bit, ferruled reins, and amazing craftsmanship
throughout. The breast collar with its diamond spot trimmings
features 6 drops! The saddle, pure Bohlin, all the way, right down
to the original makers plate on the seat. The corona is like
new. The serape, well, lets just say I am glad I don't have to put
it up on a 17 hand horse every day! Shown in the photo here on
'Sunny', this rig was shown in the National Parade championships and was
retired on him undefeated. I can see why. WOW. Nested
away in a private collection since the middle 60's, the owner is now in
retirement herself, and seeking to pass on the legacy, and perhaps the
memories to another generation. This saddle set is fully rideable,
with a 15 1/2 inch seat, roping pommel, silver cantle, just what the Rose
Bowl would die for! A little polish and you would be off and
ready. For the Western Americana Collector, these are becoming quite
RARE, and complete sets hard to find. This combination is as it was
purchased back in the late 50's, in Milwaukee WI by Marlene Hansen.
She got wind of it from her blacksmith, shoer to the fancy saddlebred
farms of the time. He insisted she go down to Milwaukee to the
saddle shop and see the 'parade get-up' down there. It was something
she 'gotta' have'. well, 'gotta' wasn't quite the word, but it took
almost her life savings to get it even at that time. Apparently
another Saddlebred fan, a man named Bob Behling, had tired of the rig, and
put it up for sale. Timing was right, and with a few favors and a
lot of borrowing from family, Marlene had her precious saddle set.
Marlene had jsut started training her newest favorite, shown here, 'Sunny'
and this seemed jus the right rig to make him shine. It was.
He, and She, both retired from the show ring with national championships
and by the middle 1960's the saddle was covered in a cotton cover in its
own room, and the clock of time started to tick. Well, we all grow
old... this little story is being written about my mother, and I rode
Sunny the day before he died on my 19th birthday. He is sorely
missed. My own son will never see a horse quite like that one.
My mother Marlene is retired now, and the time has come to start to share
her incredible collection of carriages, saddlery (yes, there is more)
dolls, antiques, and you name it, with others. Funny, you spend a
lifetime building it up, and then suddenly the time comes to
'downsize'. Tick tock. I will hope you have found something
interesting in the little story, and enjoy looking at the saddle. My
mother and I have, and its been one heck of a
ride!
Julia Hansen, about her mother Marlene |
This is a one of a kind saddle set, and a rare
opportunity to own a piece of Western Americana! This unique
parade outfit is being offered by sealed bids via email. To place
your bid please include your full name, address, phone number, and a major
credit card for a $500 earnest money deposit to be held as security in the
event you are a winning bidder. Your card WILL NOT BE CHARGED unless
you are in the top three bidders at the end of the sale. Final bids
will be reviewed June 30th 2005. The minimum opening bid for this
item (5 piece set) is $30,000.00. Please DO NOT BID unless you are
sincere and intend to pay. As this is being advertised
both locally and nationally bidders will be notified by email any
developments that would affect their standings.
Please email info@marlenesheirlooms
with your bid on this truly unique item or phone 920-922-1608 with
questions. Thank you! |
