Edward H Bohlin

[Handstitched]

G'Day,

About a year ago, I got this  totally mind blowing  book from one of the many markets I attend. I bought it for just  $10- .

Its got a little bit of wear but otherwise in great condition. The quality, precision, and saddles that are just o'h so beautiful  , and with soooo much history . 

But , when I opened it up for the first time I noticed something quite special .

It was autographed by  ' James Nottage' .

The inscription inside reads:

"  For Tom, I'm glad you are keeping leather work alive in Australia , Best Wishes from your friend the author,

James Nottage"    I'm guessing its worth a bit more than $10 bucks now? 

I don't know who Tom is , and the bloke I bought it off wasn't a leather worker.  I don't buy books too often  , but this is the best book I have every bought 

'But wait, theres more', inside the book was a photo, which is a total mystery.On the back it reads: Roar ( Roa ?) Parade L.A.

I've brightened it up a bit.  Anyone know what & where this is, and perhaps what year? Or recognise the location or  building in the background ?  The horses seemed to be elegantly decorated. I can't quite see what the street sign says in the background . It looks around 1970's as the photo is on a very early format. 

Thanks for any help on that one  

HS 

[mikesc]

Very nice book.. :)

[sheathmaker]

It is most likely the Rose Parade in conjunction with the New Year's Day Rose Bowl.(Amercian football)  The parade usually had many fancy equestrian riders almost all of which sported Bohlin or Bohlin type parade saddles and tack.  It is a long standing annual event.

Edited September 16, 2019 by sheathmaker

[Sheilajeanne]

No doubt he did this saddle for Roy Rogers and Trigger! I think that type of edging was sort of a signature of his work:

And I think this is the same saddle the stuffed Trigger was wearing in the Roy Rogers Museum.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinterest.com%2Fpin%2F360076932679590293%2F&psig=AOvVaw3dSEXflah5KCc3KZRDlAkH&ust=1568753124688000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCMijkfma1uQCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAk

Edited September 16, 2019 by Sheilajeanne

[wizard of tragacanth]

I guessing that this is in Los Angeles, California, based on the Palm trees and that the book was published by the Autry Museum of Western Heritage, in Los Angeles.

I cannot remember when color photography really came around for the general public but I am thinking it was in the early 1960's. Based on that, I am guessing that the photo could have been taken in the 1950's.

However, some people still used B&W film after the advent of color. So, who knows?

Puzzling, however, is that I could not find a reference to the "Autry Museum of Western Heritage" having ever existed. The "Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum" was founded in November of 1988.

Perhaps the OP can cite the publishing date for the book but it is of no consequence because the photo could have been taken before or after the book was published.

Today, the Roar Parade is a motorcycle gathering.

nick

[SaddleBags]

Bill Reynolds knows more about Ed Bohlin than anyone else I know.  He used to own the Bohlin Company.  Can't remember but he might have done a forward for that book.  I'll check with him. 

[SaddleBags]

Nottage used to be the curator at the Autry Museum

[fredk]

Border-less and rounded corners on photo prints were common in the early 1970s. In the 1950s prints had fancy scalloped white borders and in the 1960s the prints had straight cut white borders, although straight white borders could be found for the late 1950s as well.

[Handstitched]

I am pretty sure that pic  is ' Pasadena' , perhaps the Rose Parade as @sheathmaker pointed out, thanks for that.  Heres a link from wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose_Parade

Is that ' Sunset Boulevard ' ?  

I scoured a lot of pics of Pasadena in the 50's & 60's ,and a some of them did feature  a lot of palm trees, quite tall ones too  . So we're getting closer  .

Thanks for your help ,

HS 

[SaddleBags]

The picture is obviously the Rose Parade in Pasadena and looks to have been taken in the 1960s.  Very likely somewhere along Colorado Blvd.