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EnlargeThe Spurs of James J. Wheat, Pioneer Collector
Bruce Bartlett
www.ttupress.org
For most collectibles — be they coins, comic books, or classic cars — there is a hobby infrastructure in place that provides reference books, price guides, and a network of dealers. But when oilman James J. Wheat began collecting spurs, no such data existed. He bought them because he admired their craftsmanship and was fascinated by the different regional styles that emerged from 1910 to 1940, an era now celebrated as the apex of Texas spur-making traditions.
By the time the hobby moved into the mainstream of Western memorabilia, Wheat’s collection of 920 spur pairs and more than 100 bits was acknowledged as one of the most impressive in existence. As prices skyrocketed and the market was tainted by restored pieces and outright forgeries, the authenticity of the Wheat collection was celebrated as much as its magnitude and diversity.
In The Spurs of James J. Wheat, Pioneer Collector, author Bruce Bartlett traces the origins of Wheat’s once-unique passion and how the world of collectibles eventually caught up with him. The book also provides a history of spur-making from the 1870s to the present, as well as short biographies of its most prominent artisans, including C.P Shipley, Wallie Boone, and Al Smith. The Spurs of James J. Wheat, Pioneer Collector is the perfect starting point for anyone with an interest in this fascinating aspect of Western utilitarian art.
Issue: September 2010
