Seeking info on D.D. Potter Saddle Co. Pendleton, Or

[rustyford]

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. 

[bruce johnson]

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. 

[bland]

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 Friday at 01:36 AM by bland

[bland]

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!"

[bruce johnson]

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. 

[bland]

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.