Ends May 15, 2024
Samuel Robb (1851-1928) Cigar Store Indian, "Indian Princess, Pocahontas"
Samuel Anderson Robb (1851-1928) carved wood cigar store Indian, "Indian Princess, Pocahontas". Circa 1880. Samuel Anderson Robb was an American sculptor, best known for his carved wooden figures for tobacco shops and circus wagons. He initially apprenticed as a shipbuilder. His workshop was the largest in nineteenth-century New York City. His carvings ranged from traditional cigar store Indians to circus wagons and ventriloquist dummies. The wood used for figures was carved from solid white pine logs, which were readily available locally, a soft wood that was easy to carve with hand tools and a relatively inexpensive wood species.
This item was collected by William Parker Lyon and was part of the Pony Express Museum in Arcadia, California.
William Parker Lyon was considered a pioneer in preserving and collecting relics of the Old West. His love for the West began in 1897 when he started to collect Pony Express items. In 1925, his collection growing steadily in both size and scope, Parker Lyon built the Pony Express Collection, in Arcadia, California, to display his historical items. At its peak, the collection boasted of having over a million artifacts, including stagecoaches, Native American items, a train, firearms, and cigar store Indians.
After Parker Lyon's death in 1949, William Fisk Harrah, the head of Harrah's Club in Nevada, purchased the entirety of the Pony Express Museum. He shipped the collection to Reno, where a small portion was displayed alongside Harrah’s vehicle collection.
Beginning in 1975, and continuing after the death of William Harrah in 1978, a series of auctions were held that sold off the collection of the former Pony Express Museum. The last sale took place in 1986.
This carved cigar store Indian was one of those artifacts and can be seen in photos in the book "The Parker Lyon-Harrah's Pony Express Museum" by Greg Martin.
Dimensions: 87"h x 17.5"w x 25"d.
This oversized lot does not economically ship through our customary parcel carriers. You may pick it up at our office by arranging an appointment by emailing [email protected] or calling 916-446-6490. You may also arrange any shipper of your choosing. We recommend (within CA) Delbert McCrea: 831-566-6088 or (national delivery) CCC Transport: [email protected] or (920) 450-5027.
Provenance:From the Parker Lyon Collection; 2010 Coeur D'Alene Auction, lot 160.
Condition:
Wear consistent with age, please see photos.
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Consign With UsWitherell strives to provide as much information and photographs as possible but encourages in-person inspection by bidders. Condition statements are only for general guidance and should not be relied upon as complete statements of fact and do not constitute a representation, warranty or assumption of liability by Witherell. All lots are sold "AS IS" under the Terms and Conditions. Methods of payment are cash, check, money orders, or wire transfer for foreign payments. Please note we do not accept credit cards. This auction has a buyer's premium of 15%.
