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by
Nancy Schaut

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About the author
Author Nancy Schaut and her husband Jim (a photographer) have been writing about antiques and collectibles, especially old cars and automotive memorabilia, since 1978. Hundreds of their articles have been published in collector-oriented magazines. The Schauts cover the Cowboy and Native American art scene, and have profiled talented artists and craftspersons. Nancy enjoys writing about historic travel locations in the American West and is currently working on a series of stories about the history behind our Western tourist railroads.

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Books by
Jim and Nancy Schaut

 
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Collecting the Old West

Horsin' Around: A Guide to Equine Memorabilia

American Automobilia: An Illustrated History and Price Guide

COWBOY UP!
A LITTLE RODEO HISTORY

Where did rodeo begin? Now, there's a controversy that continues to this day. Prescott, Arizona and Pecos Texas went head to head a few years back when the board game, "Trivial Pursuit" claimed Prescott as the site of the first "formalized" rodeo. Rather than a shootout at high noon, or having the mayors draw for high card, the two cities chose to let the game manufacturer work it out. After due research, Prescott was declared the winner and retained as the correct answer to the trivia question. The Pecos website, however, still quotes the 1961 edition of Encyclopedia Britannica which supported their claim. It reads "the first public contest for prizes for bronco riding and steer roping was held in Pecos Texas on July 4, 1883. No admission was charged."

"Hogwash" says the Prescott bunch, "a genuine rodeo would have charged admission." In fact, the Prescott Frontier Days Committee conveniently concluded that a formalized rodeo had to meet the following five criteria.

1. A Committee to plan and stage the rodeo
2. Invite cowboys to compete
3. Charge admission
4. Give prizes and trophies
5. Have the contests documented.

This criteria threw hundreds of casual cowboy get togethers across the West out of the running for consideration as a genuine rodeo. Payson, Arizona claims their August Doin's is the world's oldest continuos rodeo. It started out in 1884 on Payson's Main Street as a way to keep the hands out of trouble during the down time just before the Fall roundup. Showing off their skill at calf roping and horse racing gave them a chance to let off steam. Payson didn't charge admission and even offered the boys a free barbecue afterwards so their doin's isn't even in the running as far as Prescott is concerned. Meanwhile, on the East Coast, the Arcadia, Florida rodeo claims to be "The Granddaddy of 'em all", but it's a relative youngster on the rodeo scene as it didn't begin until 1929.

Most rodeo contestants were cowboys and cowgirls from local ranches. Later on, more media types would join the rodeo circuit. Tom Mix appeared at the Calgary Stampede in 1912. Roy Rogers and Gene Autry later appeared at rodeos. Some of the rodeo performers, like Yakima Canutt, went on to become actors or movie stuntmen and women.

Rodeos continue to attract crowds, and memorabilia from past contests sure hasn't gone out of style. You can trace the history of the rodeo over the last one hundred years or so by following the trail marked by belt buckles, souvenir neckerchiefs, trophies and presentation saddles. Although "all around" cowboy awards top collectors' want lists, just plain souvenirs are collected too. Most anything with Pendleton's "Let 'er Buck" logo is collected, along with posters, books, programs, canceled checks, letterhead and any sort of souvenir from pennants to figurines and signed photos of the stars are collected. Value is added, of course, if posters or programs or photographs have been autographed by a rodeo star like Fern Sawyer, a champion cowgirl from Texas. Equipment like rope bags and trick saddles are appreciated by collectors as well.

Today's the hot item are the Hesston belt buckles. Many collectors are trying to find one for each year of issue. Some of them are signed by the artist, Fred Fellowes, a member of CAA. A collection of 1975-81 buckles sold for a $138.00 on ebay recently. This was a bargain, since the 1975 buckle sells for $60-75.00.

Copyright © 2000 Nancy Schaut. All rights reserved