High Noon Western Americana
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail, Auction Advisory |
| Founded | 1988 |
| Founder | Joseph Sherwood and Linda Kohn Sherwood |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles , United States |
| Products | Western American art, antiques, cowboy and Native American collectibles, Hollywood cowboy collectibles, antique curios |
High Noon operates as a private retailer and auction advisory firm with a focus on Western American art and antiques, encompassing cowboy and Native American collectibles. Founded in 1988 by business partners Joseph Sherwood and Linda Kohn Sherwood, the enterprise is based in Los Angeles. It is well-known for organizing the annual High Noon Western Americana Auction and Antique Show, which has taken place since 1991 at the Phoenix Mesa Marriott in Arizona.
History
High Noon was created to celebrate and market art reflecting the Western lifestyle, catering specifically to enthusiasts of cowboy, Native American, and vaquero-themed artifacts. The firm’s core approach revolves around its flagship auction and antique exhibition, drawing both serious investors and casual buyers alike. Having surpassed two decades of continuous development, this event has established itself as a prominent fixture in the Western Americana marketplace.
The auctions conducted by High Noon showcase items of considerable historical importance that contribute to the company’s market edge. Significant transactions include a saddle belonging to Emperor Maximilian I that sold for $230,000 in 2010, a Pancho Villa saddle reaching over $700,000 in 2012, and a Simón Bolívar saddle auctioned in 2013. The firm also places strong emphasis on American Indian artifacts; for example, a Blackfeet tomahawk paired with a Kiowa cradle brought $56,300 in 2011. In 2014, it achieved a record sale with Jesus Tapia spurs fetching $153,400.
Broadening its inventory, High Noon has developed expertise in Hollywood cowboy collectibles. A Roy Rogers belt buckle sold for $69,000 in 2010 coincided with a collaboration with Christie’s New York to auction off the Roy Rogers Museum collection valued at $2.9 million. Other remarkable sales include Will James’ painting titled “Wild Horses,” which commanded $149,500 in 2011, along with a .45 Colt revolver used by James Arness on Gunsmoke that exceeded $50,000 in 2014.
The company’s extensive catalog also features antique curios such as state brand books, law enforcement badges, vintage rodeo posters, gambling artifacts, and handcrafted items like jewelry, boots, spurs, and pictorial vests—expanding its appeal within the Western Americana sector.
Product
High Noon Western Americana presents an extensive selection of western-inspired art including visual art, antiques, memorabilia, furnishings, and apparel. It offers expert appraisal and auction consulting services to both individual and institutional clients while serving as an acquisition representative for multiple affiliated museum collections dedicated to Western heritage.
Awards and recognition
- Phoenix New Times, “Best Place to Buy Western Memorabilia,” 2006
- VisitMesa.com, “Most Popular Western Americana Gathering in the Country”
- Cowboys & Indians Magazine, “The Nation's Leading Western Show and Sale Event”
- Maverick Style, described as a venue to “Fulfill Your Cowboy and Cowgirl Dreams”