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(c) Jim & Nancy Schaut, DBA: Autohobbies, Tonopah, Arizona
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Contents
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Arizona Racing History
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body
but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, loudly proclaiming,
"Wow! What a Ride!”
--Anonymous
We have changed the format of the website;
click on one of the racing history portals in the sidebar.
In honor of Arizona's Statehood Centennial in 2012...we present COWGIRLS
This famous Arizona cowgirl was featured in an A-1 beer painting titled "the Dude" by Lon Megargee.
Cowgirl Up! Collecting Cowgirl Images
There are rodeo queens and....
working cowgirls.....
Cowgirls are good at
multitasking.....
but you better
not make 'em mad.....
Cowgirl images just keep going up in value as the early images become harder to find. Actual photographs of cowgirls working are very hard to find. Photographs prior to World War I are largely studio photographs, with an artificial backdrop painted on canvas so that a traveling photographer could take it with him from town to town. These studio photos are collected because of the outrageous clothing and accessories that were sometimes used as props. Sometimes the props, like wooly chaps or a Winchester rifle enhance the value of the image.
Few early ranch women wore fringed suede divided skirts and embroidered shirts while working. Early on, cowgirls actually wore men’s clothing, because it was practical and durable and available. Of course, the fabulously embellished Western wear of the 1930s-1950s movie stars make a prettier photograph. It is often true that the Hollywood romanticized version of the American West is more popular than the true history of the West.
As rodeos and Wild West shows traveled the World, photographs and postcards of Rodeo performers were sold as souvenirs. Today, action shots of rodeo performers, particularly women, are collected. Rodeo postcards, posters and photographs become even more desirable when the cowgirl is identified. Many of these early cowgirl daredevils are members of the Cowgirl Hall of Fame.
Early photographs are sometimes tintypes, or
cabinet cards. These often have the name and location of the photographer
affixed, adding regional interest to the image. There are some rodeo
stereoviews, but very few depict cowgirls. Photographs affixed to postcards are
very collectible. A real photo postcard of Ruth Roach, a cowgirl with the 101
Ranch, recently sold for $270.00.
Vintage and contemporary cowgirl photographs are often found at estate sales, paper shows and, of course, the internet. Remember to be cautious when buying vintage photographs. Old style photo papers are being reproduced, and computer generated copies are common. Photo quality can be tampered with. If you are not an expert, buy from a reputable dealer.
Perhaps the most famous Arizona cowgirl, retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor
Please enjoy our cowgirl photo gallery, most are from Arizona except for the "Little Sure Shot", Annie Oakley postcard.
Most are circa 1930-1960:
The Rodeo Parade:
Enjoy this collection of images from a Glendale, Arizona rodeo parade in 1950.
Click on any photo to enlarge it.
Collectibles:
This 15" by 30" print sold on ebay for $235 on 10/17/07.
In May, 2008, these celluloid photo albums (with no photos) sold on ebay:
This album sold for $199.00; the album below sold for $445.00.
COWGIRLS IN ADVERTISING
Somewhere West of Laramie....this 1923 Jordan automobile advertisement is one of the most famous auto ads ever...
and one of the first written to appeal to the woman driver...
and it features a "broncho-busting, steer-roping" cowgirl.....
Fruit label....
Barnfly Shirts Poster
and even a 1950s era cowgirl trashcan....
Reference:
Collecting the Old West, Jim & Nancy Schaut, Krause Publications, 1999
Cowgirls, Early Images and Collectibles, Judy Crandall, Schiffer Publishing, 2005
Collecting Old Photographs, Margaret Haller, 1978, Arco Publishing
Links:
To add your cowgirl link here, email Nancy
Cowgirl Up Show & Sale, March 23-May 6, 2012
Desert Caballeros Western Museum 21 North Frontier Street Wickenburg , AZ 85390 Tel: (928) 684-2272
Ann Ayers Bronze Art "In the Company of Cowgirls"
c)Jim & Nancy Schaut. Our mission is to preserve the rich history of automobile racing in the American West. We have done our best to credit the proper people for information contained on this site. It is sometimes impossible to find the original source. We welcome your comments & corrections. If you would like to submit items to the site, please send them to Nancy.