Golden age TV western props include wardrobe items from icons like James Arness, Burt Reynolds, and Clint Eastwood.
Legendary auction house, Julien’s Auction, which specializes in movie props and sports memorabilia, will host an golden age western prop auction featuring memorabilia, wardrobe, props, and more in Hollywood and online on Friday, November 15th, 2024, at the world famous Hollywood Museum in the historic Max Factor Building, home of the largest collection of Hollywood memorabilia in the world.
This exclusive auction event rounds up a coveted collection of Old West original costumes, props, and memorabilia from Gunsmoke’s extraordinary two decade run. It features over 230 items direct from the Estate of James Arness being offered for the first time at auction, as well as Wild West movie prop and replicas from two of the show’s other legendary cast members, Dennis Weaver and Burt Reynolds. The auction will also feature original production art from the opening and closing credits of Bonanza and original ceramic busts of Clint Eastwood, Eric Fleming, and Paul Brinegar used in the season seven opening sequence of Rawhide.
Some of the highlights of the collection include:
James Arness "Gunsmoke" "Marshal Matt Dillon" Saddle with Signed Photo and DVD
A deep brown leather saddle used by James Arness as Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke (CBS Productions, 1955-75) throughout its entire run, and in all five follow up movies beginning with Gunsmoke: Return to Dodgeand ending with Gunsmoke: One Man's Justice (CBS Entertainment Production, 1987-94). The saddle was made specifically for Arness by Cliff Ketchum at the San Fernando Valley Saddlery. It was made to fit his his height (6'7") with extra long stirrups. It is number 272. The item comes together with its saddle stand.
Est. $40,000-$60,000
James Arness "Gunsmoke" "Marshal Matt Dillon" Ensemble with DVD and Photo
An original ensemble worn by James Arness as "Marshal Matt Dillon" in the television series Gunsmoke (CBS Productions, 1955 - 1975). Included in this ensemble is a salmon cotton button-up shirt with rounded collar points and a De Mir label, a suede vest, a pair of tan trousers, and a pair of James Arness signed suede boots featuring a studio tag. A tag on the corner of the shirt reads, "De Mir Shirtmakers/ California/ Custom Made to Measure," and features the monogrammed initials "JA." The studio tag accompanying the boots reads, "J. Arness/ Property of Studio/ C.B.S. Studio Center/ Gunsmoke." James Arness signed the boots in black ink and inscribed, "Matt/ Gunsmoke/ 1955 - 1975." Matt Dillon wears this type of ensemble throughout the series, including during the opening of each episode of the later seasons, and it has become synonymous with the ruggedness of life in Dodge City, Kansas. This outfit also embodies the authority and integrity of his character as a lawman, and was used in promotional material and in merchandising of the television series.
Est. $3,000-$5,000
James Arness Signed "Gunsmoke" "Marshal Matt Dillon" Western Hat and Spurs with Signed Photo and DVD
An original Nudie's brand western-style hat and spurs as worn by James Arness as "Marshal Matt Dillon" in the television series Gunsmoke (CBS Productions, 1955 - 1975).
Matt Dillon would wear this type of hat and spurs during the series' twenty year run, often paired with his iconic pink or salmon button-up shirt and brown vest. The interior of the hat is signed by James Arness. The hat features a tooled leather band around the crown of the hat with a belt buckle style fastener. No size present. The spurs are composed of metal and feature a tooled leather strap on the back side. On the inside of one of the spurs James Arness signed, "Jim Arness 'Matt'." Engraved on one spur is the text "G.S. Garcia," while the other spur is engraved "Elko Nev."
Est. $1,000-$2,000
James Arness 1955 "Gunsmoke" "Marshal Matt Dillon" U.S. Marshal Badge Prop with Signed Photo
An original U.S. Marshal badge worn by James Arness as "Marshal Matt Dillon" starting in 1955 for the television series Gunsmoke (CBS Productions, 1955); together with a signed photo of Arness wearing this type of badge. Janet Arness states that this is one of only three badges that James wore over the course of the entire series. This one is distinguished by a curly design engraved at the center, which was eliminated on later badges.
Est. $2,000-$3,000
Burt Reynolds Signed "Smokey and The Bandit" Scanner And CB Radio
A Pace CB-166 23 channel CB radio with corded plug-in walkie-talkie (serial number 05618060) and a Pace 10-4U police scanner (serial number 3301483). The top of the scanner is signed in gold-tone marker "Burt Reynolds / 'BANDIT'". All electrical capabilities are untested.
These are the exact same made and model of both devices seen in The Bandit's Trans Am in the Reynolds' hit comedy Smokey and the Bandit (Universal, 1977). It is possible that Reynolds saved these from the set of the film or were gifted these similar models at a later date.
Est. $1,000-$2,000
Burt Reynolds Signed Cowboy Hat
A beige felt wool, same material hatband with an added silver-tone miniature buckle, sweatband stamped in part "Resistol / Made in Texas, U.S.A.," size 7 1/8, signed in black felt-tip ink on the brim "Burt Reynolds".
Est. $1,000-$2,000
Dennis Weaver "McCloud" "Deputy Marshal Sam McCloud" Signed Di Fabrizio Boots with Photos
An original custom-made pair of Di Fabrizio western-style boots worn by Dennis Weaver as “Deputy Marshal Sam McCloud” in the television series McCloud (Universal Television, 1970 – 1977), signed on the interior of each boot by Weaver.
Est. $300-$500
Bonanza Hand-Painted Title Card (L)
One of the original watercolor paintings used as a backdrop behind the opening and closing credits of the classic TV series Bonanza (NBC, 1959-73). This depiction of a woman performer on a stage is the only end credits painting that was used in every season of the series.
The border has matte black gaffer tape that was placed on it to assist in framing the piece for filming. The production began using the paintings as credits backdrops in season one, episode 11, titled “Truckee Strip.” Most of the paintings were used from seasons one through 12, until the credits were re-tooled in season 13, at which point the credits scrolled over this single painting and the rest were no longer featured.
Est. $600-$800
Rawhide Clint Eastwood "Rowdy Yates" and Co-Stars Opening Credits Busts with Photos and DVD
A group of three original painted plaster busts used in the opening credits of the series Rawhide (CBS Television Network Productions, 1959-65), each on a wooden base. The busts appear in the seventh season, and represent Clint Eastwood as Rowdy Yates, Paul Brinegar as Wishbone, and Eric Fleming as Gil Favor. On the credits sequence, the characters morph into their busts, which appear next to the actors’ names.
Est. $6,000-$8,000
All photos courtesy Juliens Auction.
