Cowgirls and cowboys and those who love 'em, get yourself to the huge western antiques auction Oct 16-17 in the Fort Worth Stockyards. This will be an event to remember.
Brenda and Jarrell McDonald, owners of three successful shops in the Fort Worth Stockyards Historic District, have been convinced by auctioneer Robb Burley to part with the entire contents of their own home on Eagle Mountain Lake. "We bought our private collection to sell someday," says Jarrell McDonald. "When we floated the idea with Robb Burley, he was on a plane and at our house the very next day. Someday is here." 
Along North Main Street, just south of Exchange Avenue, Brenda and Jarrell own the Adobe Art Gallery and Frame Shop, the Bum Steer (with western and lodge furniture and home decor) and the fabulous Cross-Eyed Moose (with all the western antiques). The Cross-Eyed Moose will exhibit at the 48th Annual Dolly Johnson Antique and Art Show on March 11-12, 2011. In the meantime, everything will be temporarily moved out of the Adobe Gallery to serve as a preview space for 1200 lots for the two day auction. The preview will be all day Friday, Oct. 15 from 10 am to 6 pm and again on each auction day from 8 am to 10 am. A giant tent will be set up in the store parking lot and you can bet that there will be plenty of folks from many states and plenty of good food and drink to go around. Brenda and Jarrell are well-loved in the western antiques world and they know how to throw a party. Plus, they've got the goods.
What's in the auction? To begin with, industrial strength cowgirl. Brenda was obsessed with collecting early cowgirl images and memorabilia long before the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame came to town. The original Eleanor Blondin collection will be among the top cowgirl lots. Jarrell has been collecting and dealing in antique animal mounts since he was about twelve and guns since high school. Known for a good eye and a good deal, his collection includes over 100 antique guns, such as Colt and Winchester, from the 1870s on. 
When they joined forces, collecting accelerated to include a huge 101 Ranch poster, saddles by RT Frasier and Shipley, Navajo rugs, spurs, chaps and posters from the French rodeo hero Bobby Estes. There's a selection of sizes too---from early western serving and dinner china to the back bars from two early saloons.
Born promoters, Brenda and Jarrell have come up with what's needed to make an auction fun. "The first 200 registered bidders," says Jarrell will receive their choice of a free Bob Moline print from the Moline family estate, valued at $50 each." There will be auction souvenir caps thrown out to the audience for high bidders on select lots and 92.1 Country Legends Radio will broadcast from the auction on Saturday. On Sunday, the event will be announced during the popular Red Steagall radio show. 
Take a look at the entire collection at http://www.burleyauction.com/
You'll see Amon Carter's own poker table and chairs made by August Brandt, a Wenzel Friedrich horn chair and other horn furniture, bronzes, a Bohlin parade saddle, early western advertising, longhorn mounts and exotic African mounts and western home decor, such as lamps, textiles, furniture and folk art. 1200 is a lot of lots--bound to be something for everyone.
Auctioneer Robb Burley of New Braunfels, TX conducted the 2009 sale of the estate of Fort Worth collector Kelly Young, a well-loved regular at the Dolly Johnson Show for decades. Burley anticipates a blockbuster sale in Fort Worth on Oct. 16-17. "I was honored when Brenda and Jarrell McDonald gave me the opportunity to represent the collection they have spent 30 years putting together. They have a fantastic collection of Western Americana. This is truly a great auction opportunity for both collectors & dealers. Besides, with Jarrell & Brenda, you know it will be a party."
Last week I asked Brenda and Jarrell, "Is it hard to part with everything in your home?" Jarrell, thinking of boyhood treasures, winces a bit. Brenda, on the other hand, doesn't miss a beat: "Tell people that we're not closing the stores or getting a divorce. But we sure are going shopping." What will they collect next? Stay tuned.
Preview Schedule:
Friday Oct. 15, 10 am - 6 pm and Sat and Sun, 8 am to 10 am.
Auction Schedule:
Sat. Oct. 16, 10 am to ?? and Sun. Oct 17, 10 am to ??
Location: 2340 North Main, in the Fort Worth, TX
Historic Stockyards District.
Cash, check, Visa, Mastercard and American Express accepted, with a 10% buyers premium. For more information, contact Burley Auction Group at 830-237-3440.
And Save the Date!
Fri. March 11- Sat. March 12, 2011
The 48th Annual Dolly Johnson Antique and Art Show
Will Rogers Memorial Center, Fort Worth
