Academy Award Winner Ben Johnson Family Estate Sale

Ben Johnson (1918 - 1996) was an honest-to-goodness Oklahoma cowboy, World Champion Roper, rancher and horse wrangler who worked as a stunt man and as a riding double for Henry Fonda in the movie "Fort Apache." In 1972, he received his Oscar as Best Supporting Actor for his role in "The Last Picture Show".

He is honored annually in November, at Ben Johnson Days presented by the Goldfield Ghost Riders in Apache Junction, Arizona. The proceeds help the Sunshine Acres Children's Home in Ben's spirit.

We are honored to offer hundreds of his personal items for sale in East Mesa, Arizona  The  two-day sale in a private home will be in the great room and the garage.  There will be NO 50% off day as the unsold items will be removed immediately following the sale to prepare for their sale in the Mesa Old West Show the following weekend at the Mesa Convention Center, 263 N. Center Street.

As I write this, the family is unpacking and cataloguing items. They may have a later sale at the nephew's home where things have been stored for twenty years.  Watch for that one!

The western books range from $3 to $80 so far. I am certain you all know this is not a "rummage sale".  Prices will reflect the quality and one of a  kind rarity of items which belonged to Ben and Carol.

So far, we find, large paintings, framed photos of Johnson and various cowboys and of movie stars, movie scripts, posters, and Ben's contracts,  native american rugs, bronzes, awards, western books, letters, spurs, hats, etc  

The hats have a story.  They belonged to Ben's nephew, Ben Miller, the stuntman who jumped off the cliff in Butch Cassidy and the Sun Dance Kid.

NOTE; DUE TO THE WIDE INTEREST IN THE BEN SPURS (made by Ronnie Jones).  I WILL ACCEPT SILENT BIDS BY PHONE OR PERSON UNTIL SUNDAY, JANUARY 21 AT 2 pm (AT THE WESTERN SHOW).  TIME BEGINS NOW ON JANUARY 5.  MINIMUM BID $900.   I NEED NAME - PHONE # - CREDIT CARD AND CODE AND WILL PLACE THEM IN A SEALED ENVELOPE.  I (CAROLE KRALICEK) WILL BE THE ONLY ONE WHO KNOWS THE AMOUNT.  FAMILY MEMBERS WILL NOT BE TOLD.  

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My favorites are four bronzes by Ted Long, and a copper one of sheep.  Many 11 x 14 original photos of Ben with stars like Willie Nelson.

Movie posters, some autographed....  Include Last Picture Show, Wagonmaster, The Wild Bunch, Rio Grande, My Heros Have Always Been Cowboys, The Town That Dreaded Sundown, Eagle Hawk.  Note: as we are finding more, we plan to package items from each movie and not sell individually.  Much western movie memorabilia in magazines which will range from $1.00 to $500.00. (price depends on autographs)

.The boxes of Hollywood publications include the Reporter back to the 1960's, Hoof and Horns back to the late 1940's, Western Horseman from the 1950's, etc  The numerous news clippings are overwhelming as Ben's wife, Carol, threw nothing away!!  Don't you love her?? Wait till you hear stories about her from her great nieces.

Numerous event booklets featuring Ben and other stars, including the 1992 Golden Boot Award posters featuring our favorite cowboys.  In the collections, we will sell large paintings by Texas Jack Condo and Ivan Jesse Curtis and many more.  We are going through boxes of these items as I write..

Note: the bronzes range from $15,000 to $400

1............. Bronze by Ted Long A Reasonable Doubt 9/30, 14 x 12 x 14 

2. Buffalo Bill Award presented for Outstanding Contributions to Quality Family Entertainment in the Cody Tradition, Nebraska Land Days 1976  16 H x 19 W x 12 H

3. When Nature Kept the Balance 7/20,   26 L  19 W x 12 H One of these may be found in the Buffalo Bill Museum in Cody, WY

.........Jimmy Cox, Ben and Blackie (Sorry family has decided this will be loaned to the Ben Johnson's Hall of Fame booth in Colorado) NOTE: IN PLACE THE FAMILY IS OFFERING A CARL CARLOCK CHAMPIONSHIP SADDLE FROM THE 1954 PHOENIX RODEO  Sold

 ........... artist unknown, Copper Sculpture, Sheep 14L x 9W x 10H

.............Wrangler Mung, Western Heritage Wangler Award, National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Center, Ben Johnson Narrator, "The Dream"  Outstanding Special Short feature Award, 1985, 11L x 11H x 5W

...............Undentified artist: Bronze Award, Ben Johnson, Team Roping Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame, Inducted August 6, 1979, 8L x 8H x 3W 

-----------------------------------------------Artist works are by:-  Range is  $25 to $10,000-----------------------------------------------

Joe Beeler original oil, autographed, Indians Pointing to a Stagecoach, 16x24 unframed, 31 x 23 framed

Ivan Jesse Curtis signed print All of My Heros are Cowboys 954/2000, 18x36 unframed, 25 x 43 framed Sidekicks and Saddle Partners, signed print 18x36 unframed, 25 x 43 framed Note: these were silent auction items at the Golden Boot Awards 

Texas Jack Hondo original charcoal, Woman in Scarf,  12x16 unframed, 20 x 24 framed and original charcoal, Indian Man, 12 x 16 unframed, 20 x 24 frame    Note: Check the internet for a video about this stuntman who nearly blew himself up one day.

Ray Hampton Original oil, Older Man Cowboy Portrait, 12x14 unframed

Jimmy Cox, 1989, Old Timers Print, autograph with private message, 24 x 35 unframed, 20 x 41 framed

Stefan Kramer watercolor, original, A Cowboy's Heritage 20x28 unframed, 41 x 32 Framed

1. By Ted Long, Rivals in the Fur Country, oil original, 36 x 24 unframed, 49 x 37 framed;

2. ........ High Bear, print, autographed, 18 x 24 unframed, 27 x 32 framed;

3. ........The Spectator (Madison Buffalo Jump 1940) print 130/500, autographed 27 x 36 framed

 The family pulled the five EA Pascoe Native American portraits because a family member owns the rest of the the original set which contains 11 Chiefs. 

Robert Redbird,  Kiowa Dancing print, 10/13,  20x24 unframed, 28 x 31 framed, ( Redbird is a member of the prestigious Cowboy Artists of America - CAA)

Alfredo Watchman, Sand all natural rock color grinder - Navajo Ye-Bi Cha Dancers, 52 x 21 framed

Gordon Kissinger, Twilight Encampment, autographed 20 x 30 uf, 30 x 40 framed

Sorry, the family has pulled these prints -----Charles M. Russell  Five prints framed 18x24

Certificate, Dora William Smith, Master of the Royal Secret, 14 x 17 unframed - Note,  I hate to admit I know nothing about this.  Does anyone have knowledge?  We put "Make an offer" on it.

------------------------------------Rolled posters and artist reprints - most autographed - include:---------------------------

1. Sold

2. Gerald Robert 1985...autographed by Rex Allen

3. Saddles ....saddle maker poster

4. Good Mama print signed by Orren Mixer 5-4-89

5. Sold 

6.  Simonton, TX Ben Johnson Days 1983 autographed by nine cowboys/movie stars...

7. Tonto Forest Game & fish, long map Roosevelt Lake ....

8. Shorter version of the map.......

9.  Wet Boot poster signed by artist Kathleen Jo Ryan 1989....

10. Break Time poster (2 horses) signed by KJ Ryan....

11.  Last Arrow  1976 EG Thompson... signed and autographed

12. Bartering to Pass, Dany Brewer (Buffler)....signed and autographed artist proof

13.  Sold

14. California, Quail edition, signed by artist Dave Chopple 1987  392/850....

15. One Dark and Windy Day  1979  autographed by artist Mark Storm.

16. Bobwhite Quail, signed David Hagerbaumer 1981  342/1500....

17. Large Mouth Bass #12, 5-16-85, signed by artist Bill Johnson....

18. Fabulous!!!.... Annual Roundup, July 3/4/5, 1926 Dewey, Oklahoma, original yard long photo with original colored ticket - to be sold as a package

19. ( 3) OS Ranch Steer Roping and Art Exhibit 1978 Post, Texas....

20. Pro Celebrity Roping and Cutting, Guthrie OK, 1983....

21. Lash LaRue, print, 353/950 1984 by Roble, King of the Bull Whip, autographed

22. Sorry, the family pulled this one.

23. Sold

24. Sold

25.Sold

26. Olaf Weighorst, signed print of Cowboys on Horses (he passed in 1988, from Denmark known to emulate C. Russell and Remington styles) You may note tht one of his paintings is estimated at $45,000-$65,000 for the 4-7-18 Scottsdale Art Auction.

27-28-29 Tom Hill watercolors  signed by the artist, 27/350, 28/350, 23/350, A Fenced Coral, unframed, 21 x 27

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Wedding vase, Jemez Native American, early, by Mary Smith with 2 large turquoise pieces, Artist of the year 2002 and 2010

Needlework dog, 18 x 22;  pottery , handmade covered wagon, lamps, Native American hammer head, bridle,  about 50 western postcards from the 1940's

About 50 movie scripts including Bonanza the Return, The  Monroes, High Lonesome, The Last Outlaw etc. 

Spurs: 1. Ronnie Jones, Oklahoma, 194 BJ on each buckle, BEN on each, (see silent bid opportunity in the detail narrative) They were commissioned by Ben's friend, Bob Zunk (dec) who presented the to Ben at an OK ceremony.  Jones said his spurs are numbered consecutively so only one #194.

Other spurs range from $100 - $475 - all used by Ben

             2. J.A.G. says hand forged

             3, 4, 5, 6 Unmarked

Rugs, blankets, pillows, saddle blankets by Navajo and some are vintage mexican pieces. They include, Mexican: .Zapotec Poncho 50 x 80 white black red;

                 . Four long sofa pillows 39 x 20 multi color;

                 . Fringed twin bed cover blanket set of two 86 x 62 rust brown;

                 . Two Vintage Mexican Rugs 84 x 53 and 80 x 55 black and red;

                 . Mexican saddle blankets- Three as is, 60 x 31, one okay 60 x 31.  

. Navajo Rug, Yei Talking Gods multicolor As Is; Saddle blankets 34 x 54 tan/red/brown and 37 x 56 red/white/with leather;

. Navajo Ganado Sawtooth 30 x 56 brown/red

If you are a movie buff, entertainment awards collector or a western fan, you need to attend this sale.

Thanks for being patient as I find and list items.   Stay tuned..........

Please feel free to call with questions.  One question asked is, why I am the Wardrobe Lady.  In ND, I owned three large malls.  I imported amoires or "wardrobes" from Europe.  Sometimes the ND Germans from Russia had difficulty with the french word; therefore, Wardrobe Lady.  Has nothing to do with clothing.   I think of changing the name but after completing 431 other sales in ND, MN, WS and AZ, I have a following.  This is sale # 432 and I have # 433 scheduled in Sunland Village, Mesa, on January 26/27.

 Carole Kralicek, the AZ Wardrobe Lady  651.895.6187