Members rustyford Posted June 6 Members Report Posted June 6 Hey all, I recently acquired this wade saddle. It seems like the saddle has quite fine craftsmanship but in all my internet searching I cannot turn up any information on this maker or their saddles. I grew up only 45 minutes from Pendleton so it surprised me that I hadn't heard this name before. Any info on history of the maker or potential valuation would be appreciated! The only thing I found online was the article pictured below. Quote
Moderator bruce johnson Posted June 7 Moderator Report Posted June 7 Don Potter had a reputation as a pretty good maker. I don't know much but there are people in that area who do. One lady we know told me her mother learned to do leatherwork from him in the Livermore/Pleasanton area of California at one time. I don't know when he ended up in Pendleton. At one time he had a fire in his shop and a guy put together a donation deal that several of us sent stuff to get him going again. I think I heard he was working out of the back of an antique store at one time also. I got some of his tools second hand from a guy at the Pendleton Leather Show a few years ago. Quote Bruce Johnson Malachi 4:2 "the windshield's bigger than the mirror, somewhere west of Laramie" - Dave Stamey Vintage Refurbished And Selected New Leather Tools For Sale - www.brucejohnsonleather.com
Members bland Posted June 13 Members Report Posted June 13 (edited) I don't know the name, but I have a friend that worked ranches from northern California to eastern Oregon and he knows the saddles and thinks pretty highly of them. Edited June 13 by bland Quote
Members bland Posted June 14 Members Report Posted June 14 Here is what a friend said when I asked him about DD Potter Saddles. "Good saddles mostly. I don’t think they were going for a long time. Out of Pendleton Oregon or right near there. Lots of great saddle makers up there in that area. I have seen a couple pairs of their taps and they are awesome but pretty heavy. Do you have one? I would guess value to be depending on shape. Not a well known name and Wades seem to be coming down so I imagine $3500. If it was a Severe saddle from that area it would be $6000. They might have used Rich Bean trees which would be a huge point of quality!" Quote
Moderator bruce johnson Posted June 14 Moderator Report Posted June 14 Not much to add but talked with a guy who knew a little more. He thinks that he learned from Chuck Stormes. He worked a stretch at Hamley's and then was off on his own. Quote Bruce Johnson Malachi 4:2 "the windshield's bigger than the mirror, somewhere west of Laramie" - Dave Stamey Vintage Refurbished And Selected New Leather Tools For Sale - www.brucejohnsonleather.com
Members bland Posted June 14 Members Report Posted June 14 Sorry to keep coming back to this but after seeing you pictures my friend upped his estimate to $4500. He said it looked to be in really good shape. He used to own a saddle and tack store around Klamath Falls 20 or so years ago so he has looked a lots of saddles. Hope it helps. Quote
Members rustyford Posted June 22 Author Members Report Posted June 22 (edited) Wow I appreciate you all for the extra info! It makes all the difference when you ask folks who know folks 😂 The saddle has never been on a horse, just sitting in storage. The gal I got it from said she paid 4.5k for it at auction a few years ago. It sounds like a got a good deal! Paid 2.3k. Edited June 22 by rustyford Quote
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