^Lot 255 G. S. Garcia Shadowbox NV - Elko, - c1904 - Cowboy & Native American

A fabulous piece of cowboy history. Guadalupe S. Garcia left San Margarita in 1894 to seek his fortune in Elko, Nevada, by starting a successful business he called G.S. Garcia Harness and Saddlery. The fine craftsmanship of his spurs and bits is famous, but it was the World’s Fair that truly launched him into stardom. According to the Garcia website, “Using the finest leather, gold, silver, and diamonds, the Garcia craftsmen built the World’s Fair Saddle, which won gold medals at not only the St. Louis World’s Fair, but at the Lewis and Clark Exposition in Portland , Oregon as well--an achievement unmatched before or since.” Garcia continued to produce incredible pieces until his death in 1933, at which point his three sons took over the business. This 12.75” by 21.5” shadowbox contains 3 items: 1) A saddle-shaped fob with ornate carving on the front and “G.S. GARCIA/ ELKO, NEVADA” on the rear, which can be seen through the mirror mounted in the rear of the display. 2) A 5” by 7” photograph of Garcia standing by a fully saddled and tacked horse. The photo is inscribed “$5000 GOLD, SILVER, AND DIAMOND MOUNTED SADDLE/ AWARDED FIRST PRIZE, ST. LOUIS WORLD’S FAIR AND/ PORTLAND ORE, EXPOSITION/ G.S. GARCIA. ELKO, NEV.” on the lower edge. 3) A small, 2.5” by 4.5” advertising card printed “G. S. GARCIA/ MANUFACTURER OF/ SADDLES, BITS, SPURS, ETC./ ELKO, NEVADA.” and inviting St. Louis World’s Fair attendees to visit him and see the $5000 saddle on display. This framed shadow box is ready to hang. - Jacobitz Collection