Have you checked eBay? That will probably be your best bet. I am not incredibly far from Wichita, so I will keep an eye out. I am related to Monroe Veach, who made the Veach saddles years ago as well.

 

Yes, I've checked Ebay - but I I know it's one of those persistence things... I'll check periodically and you never know! Yes if you happen to stumble onto one, let me know.

Interesting about the Veach saddles - I love the history we have in this part of the country, and the saddlery industry is part of it.

Thanks!

 

No problem! I will keep an eye out and let you know if I find anything!

 

If he was employed, his name wouldn't be on the saddle.

 

I know... so I'm not sure of the exact relationship with the company. His Daughter remembered he did tool his name on them, so ?

Thank you Tiny - I haven't posted it elsewhere on the forum. This was one of those long-shot things that might ring a bell for someone. It's amazing what you can find out if the right person happens to read at the right time

No worries - just seemed worth tossing out there.

 

This is the best location for you to post this announcement. And, the fiorum does not allow you to post duplicate threads in multiple locations. In my opinion, the best way to find something, or get information out to the largest number of people, is via Facebook.

 

Update - Long shots sometimes pay off

This is a real longshot...

I was at a family funeral in Wichita last week, and discussion came up about a deceased relative named Bud Kelly who made saddles in Wichita, KS (possibly through Shepler's) for a number of years in the 60's and maybe the 50's. Anyway, his kids would love to have one of his saddles as an heirloom (they never ended up with one), and have been searching. It doesn't even really have to be usable. It will have the name "Kelly" tooled on it somewhere, even on the fenders possibly.

If anyone happens to have any leads, that would be great!
....

So, I originally posted this search about a year ago - this past December (2016), I was contacted by a collector of vintage saddles that she had one! She was searching the internet for information on the maker, and my post popped up. She was not looking to sell it, but graciously offered it at a very fair price - she was thrilled it would be returning 'home'.

Bud's kidsy actually remembered this very saddle, because it was commissioned for a friend of the family (and his name is tooled on the cantle).

The internet is really amazing. This was a wonderful Christmas surprise!

Here are a few photos -
(for the life of me, I can't figure out how to keep photos upright on the forum... they are oriented correctly as saved on my comp'r... sorry).

 

So very cool and nice happy ending. Nice looking saddle too.

 

There are a couple of vintage tack groups on Facebook. You might have some luck there.

https://www.facebook.com/VintageSaddles/