Posted 14 years ago
JimMace
(10 items)
Jess Willard, Heavyweight Boxing Champion of the World, wore these boots and spurs in the 101 Ranch Wild West Show (1916-1918), and probably in a 1919 movie, "The Challenge of Chance." About how much would these be worth?
Jim, both your Jess Willard items need to go to a high end auction house. The spurs in a western themed auction and the poster in a boxing/sports memorabilia auction. The boots and spurs, with some documentation to back up the Willard conection, should bring $350 to $500 and the poster $100 to $150. Do your homework, find the right auction house. Ebay is a last ditch resort.
Would you believe I got someone to estimate the value of the poster at about $10,000? Big difference between $150. Again, I won't sell it, but am still curious to hear if someone else thinks it was over-valued or not.
Wow, your estimator must travel with some high rollers. I too would be curious if anyone thinks my guesstimate is way off.
Well, Jess Willard was my grandfather; so stuff like this is precious. The movie poster (see "The Heart Punch") is my prized possession, even tough normally Western artifacts are my favorite.
Jim, your poster and spurs inspired me to look up Jess Willard's fight history, impressive indeed, Hall Of Fame in '77. You can't put a price on these heirlooms and congratulations on preserving them for future family.
A book about his life and career is coming out early next year. Author is Arly Allen. He's naming me with some credit in the book.
(Hercules Bronze Buffalo Head Spurs) CV $500.00-$1200.00 Cir. about 1920
August Buermann
Spur Maker
New Jersey
One of the earliest (1868) and most innovative spur makers, August Buermann was both a leader and a follower, who manufactured 443 different spur designs at his peak of popularity. Though headquartered in New Jersey, "AB" manufactured California, Mexican and Texas spurs, employing many of the finest craftsmen from those regions. Buermann sold strictly to jobbers and wholesalers marking his spurs with a 5-pointed star, over stamped with B on A, "Hand Forged Steel" and "Patent.” His inventive genius resulted in many registered patents as well as Hercules Bronze and Star Steel Silver. Though the August Buermann Manufacturing Company was absorbed by North & Judd in 1926, its influence can be seen in bit and spur collections from coast to coast.
He made three different patterns of these spurs. The Buffalo, Indian Head, and Horse head. The Buffalo pattern is the scarcest. With the history and boots are worth more. Thanks for sharing.
I have a charm very old I found in my cedar chest that says Jess Willard my father-in -law was a boxer.