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Lot Essay
With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with silvered dial in 1948 and sold 21st April 1950
Gene and Jackie Autry gifted this exquisite reference 1518 in the early 1980's to their dear friends Monte and Joanne Hale. The unusual bracelet, featuring Gene Autry's signature, was made by Edward H. Bohlin. The Edward H Bohlin Company, operating from the early 1920s through the 1980s was without equal among western-style silversmiths building a reputation on flawless workmanship that ranged from silver and gold trophy buckles to ornate parade saddles. Bohlin was a stickler for details and employed the finest silver and leather workers of his era to satisfy discriminating clients including Mae West, Hopalong Cassidy, Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, Monte Hale, Lyndon Johnson & Ronald Reagan.
Gene Autry
Born in Tioga, Texas on September 29, 1907, Gene Autry was raised in Texas and Oklahoma. Discovered by humorist Will Rogers, in 1929 Autry was billed as "Oklahoma's Yodeling Cowboy". Autry first appeared on screen in 1934 and up to 1953 popularized the musical Western and starred in 93 feature films.
Autry made 640 recordings and his records sold more than 100 million copies. From 1940 to 1956 the public listened to him on Gene Autry's Melody Ranch radio show that was heard weekly over the CBS Radio Network, featuring Autry's trademark theme song Back In The Saddle Again.
Autry is the only entertainer to have all five stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, one each for Radio, Recording, Motion Pictures, Television, and Live Theater/performance.
Autry's long-cherished dream came true with the opening in November 1988 of the Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum, since acclaimed as one of the finest museums on the West. The new Autry National Center consists of three entities: the Southwest Museum of the American Indian, the Museum of the American West, and the Institute for the Study of the American West.
Gene Autry died at his home in Studio City, California on October 2, 1998. He was 91 years old.
Monte Hale
Born in 1919, Monte Hale was the last of the great singing cowboys who roamed the silver screen in the first half of the twentieth century. After Monte signed with Republic Pictures in 1944, he starred in nineteen of their films. After his departure from Republic in 1950, he made several notable appearances as a guest star on film and television. Monte's movie career was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2004.
At the height of his popularity, he made personal appearances all over the country, from veteran's hospitals to local theatres. Monte especially loved children, and he gave free shows to kids wherever he was booked. His charitable nature and humanitarian work have been honored by numerous organizations.
Monte's greatest accomplishment occurred along side his beloved wife, Joanne, and their dear friends Gene and Jackie Autry when in 1988 the group founded the Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum, now the Autry National Center, in Los Angeles.
Monte Hale passed away on March 29, 2009 and is survived by his wife, Joanne Hale, and his two brothers, Bill Hale and Bob Ely.
Reference 1518
In 1941 Patek Philippe introduced the reference 1518 to the market. This now treasured and collectible timepiece was the first perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch to be manufactured in series by any firm in the world, and remained in production until 1954 when it was succeeded by the reference 2499. Only 281 examples of this renowned wristwatch were made in total.
Examples of the reference 1518 are illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, first edition, p. 231 pl. 386 and second edition, p. 303, pl. 459
Biographical details courtesy High Noon Western Americana of Los Angeles, California.
Gene and Jackie Autry gifted this exquisite reference 1518 in the early 1980's to their dear friends Monte and Joanne Hale. The unusual bracelet, featuring Gene Autry's signature, was made by Edward H. Bohlin. The Edward H Bohlin Company, operating from the early 1920s through the 1980s was without equal among western-style silversmiths building a reputation on flawless workmanship that ranged from silver and gold trophy buckles to ornate parade saddles. Bohlin was a stickler for details and employed the finest silver and leather workers of his era to satisfy discriminating clients including Mae West, Hopalong Cassidy, Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, Monte Hale, Lyndon Johnson & Ronald Reagan.
Gene Autry
Born in Tioga, Texas on September 29, 1907, Gene Autry was raised in Texas and Oklahoma. Discovered by humorist Will Rogers, in 1929 Autry was billed as "Oklahoma's Yodeling Cowboy". Autry first appeared on screen in 1934 and up to 1953 popularized the musical Western and starred in 93 feature films.
Autry made 640 recordings and his records sold more than 100 million copies. From 1940 to 1956 the public listened to him on Gene Autry's Melody Ranch radio show that was heard weekly over the CBS Radio Network, featuring Autry's trademark theme song Back In The Saddle Again.
Autry is the only entertainer to have all five stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, one each for Radio, Recording, Motion Pictures, Television, and Live Theater/performance.
Autry's long-cherished dream came true with the opening in November 1988 of the Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum, since acclaimed as one of the finest museums on the West. The new Autry National Center consists of three entities: the Southwest Museum of the American Indian, the Museum of the American West, and the Institute for the Study of the American West.
Gene Autry died at his home in Studio City, California on October 2, 1998. He was 91 years old.
Monte Hale
Born in 1919, Monte Hale was the last of the great singing cowboys who roamed the silver screen in the first half of the twentieth century. After Monte signed with Republic Pictures in 1944, he starred in nineteen of their films. After his departure from Republic in 1950, he made several notable appearances as a guest star on film and television. Monte's movie career was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2004.
At the height of his popularity, he made personal appearances all over the country, from veteran's hospitals to local theatres. Monte especially loved children, and he gave free shows to kids wherever he was booked. His charitable nature and humanitarian work have been honored by numerous organizations.
Monte's greatest accomplishment occurred along side his beloved wife, Joanne, and their dear friends Gene and Jackie Autry when in 1988 the group founded the Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum, now the Autry National Center, in Los Angeles.
Monte Hale passed away on March 29, 2009 and is survived by his wife, Joanne Hale, and his two brothers, Bill Hale and Bob Ely.
Reference 1518
In 1941 Patek Philippe introduced the reference 1518 to the market. This now treasured and collectible timepiece was the first perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch to be manufactured in series by any firm in the world, and remained in production until 1954 when it was succeeded by the reference 2499. Only 281 examples of this renowned wristwatch were made in total.
Examples of the reference 1518 are illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, first edition, p. 231 pl. 386 and second edition, p. 303, pl. 459
Biographical details courtesy High Noon Western Americana of Los Angeles, California.