Why I Love To Collect Western Items

If you've been reading my blog, you probably can tell that I really like Western style. I'm always picking up some little (or big) Western item for my home. Several years ago I started a collection of tiny Western Boots. The picture to the right is the very first boot that I found and couldn't resist. That started it all. This boot is probably a toothpick holder and is about 3" tall. It's rather retro in style, I think. I now have about 20 different little boots made from all sorts of materials, from metal to carved wood, resin and china. Some have been gifts and some I've found on vacations or just special shopping trips with friends.

I think the hunt for things in a collection is probably the most fun part of collecting to me. It's probably wise to collect valuable items as an investment, but I tend to attach too much sentimental value to the items that I collect to ever think about parting with them.

Another Western collection that I have is Christmas Tree Ornaments. That started with a cute cowgirl and stick horse bought at a craft show for my daughter when she was about 3 or 4. She's 30 now, so I've had some time to add to that collection, too. I now have enough ornaments to decorate one whole tree western style. These ornaments range from Cowboy Snowmen and Santa's to horse figures that match every horse we have or have had, to Rocking Horses and rusty stars. I'm thinking of starting a sub-collection of Cowboy Snowmen since I seem to keep finding such cute ones that I can't resist!

As I said earlier, I think the best part of collecting is the hunt for items or receiving new ones as gifts from someone who took the time to notice that you like a particular type of item.

If you like Western items check out http://www.rusticbarnwesterncollectibles.com or for lots of ornaments and one section just for Western Ornaments check out http://www.thecollectibleornamentshoppe.com.

Happy Collecting!

Collecting Western Memorabilia - A New Trend

I have a collection of little decorative western boots. Some are toothpick holders, some are handcarved wooden boots and some are metal. I have a few that are vintage styles and some that are modern decorative items. I really enjoy looking for different styles of boots to add to my western collection. I have added some information here about the benefits of collecting western items.

People from around the world have been fascinated with the west ever since Buffalo Bill started his famous Wild West show. The antiques and collectibles that show the true history of the west have become very popular over the last decade.

Saddles, spurs, bits, chaps, Hollywood Western memorabilia, native American articles, Custer memorabilia and really anything used by the cowboy on the range have become very sought-after.

There are so many categories of western memorabilia that the hardest part of becoming a collector is trying to decide what to collect. Collecting Western objects is really quite similar to collecting decorative objects. Basically, you should collect what you like, but remember that condition is important, and the rarer the item the better.

Saddles are the one item that was probably the most important to the cowboy. They usually bring the most money at auctions. The earliest saddles, of course, are the most desirable. You should look for condition, style, decoration and rarity. Saddles that are heavily decorated with silver are the most desirable.

Some of the most desirable items to collect are bits and spurs. Iron spurs adorned with silver are very popular as are silver decorated bits. These items are much fancier than the bits and spurs that are sold in western stores today.

Hollywood memorabilia has always been a great item to collect. Clothing worn by actors and actresses in famous Western Movies are fetching very high prices at auctions. Also items belonging to famous western people such as Gen. George Custer, Sitting Bull, Bill Cody, Wild Bill Hickok, Annie Oakley and more continue to increase in value.

Considering the speed with which the market has grown in the last 10 years, then Western memorabilia will soon be one of the most popular collectible areas around. Some believe cowboys are a dying breed and we need to preserve their memory and history. A great resource you might want to check out is "Collecting Western Memorabilia" by Tim Lasiuta. This book clearly shows the facts behind the new Western Collectibles movement and would be a great addition to the Western Collection.

Check out some of the great western collectible deals at http://www.rusticbarnwesterncollectibles.com/.