Created by the Hope brothers of Washington County, Texas in the 1830s, the "Hope" pattern saddle would go on to be used during the Civil War, and after the war become the quintessential "cowboy" saddle of the American Frontier. Examples of these Hope saddles used by Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee, and Joseph E. Johnston are currently held in various collections. These saddles were more often than not worked as hard as the cattlemen that sat in them, and remain highly collectible in almost any condition, making high condition examples like this incredibly scarce. This particular example was likely made in south Texas during the 1870s-1880s, indicated by the use of decorative nail and washer sets and the Mexican influenced "charro" type flattened pommel. There is some light border tooling present on the leather, the decorative brass nails and washers, and pewter mountings with five-pointed stars at the corners of the skirt. It retains both blevins and their fenders, with what appear to be the original wood stirrups. Also includes two billet straps, a lasso/rope, and a 17 July 1997 dated letter of authentication from R. Stephen Dorsy.

Very good overall, showing general moderate wear from use, some moderate age-cracking scattered throughout, and a dark aged patina on metal components. This is a rare opportunity to add a scarce Hope saddle in above average condition to your collection!