![]() He died in 1936, leaving a treasure of exquisite Western and American Indian art in an ideal setting. He bought the 620-acre Quarter Circle A Ranch in Big Horn in 1923 and created a life as a rancher and art collector. After graduating from Yale, Brinton joined his father in the farm implement business and later became a director and manager of the Case Threshing Machine Company. His father owned two plow companies which later were sold to the J. I became fascinated with the Brinton Museum from the moment I learned that founder Bradford Brinton was born in Tuscola, Illinois, a small farming community south of Champaign. This is definitely worth driving off the beaten path for a break on your Sheridan/Story/Bighorn journey! Case was, in time, bought by International Harvester. There is a Case truck onsite, one of a very few. Bradford Brinton had an implement company that he, in time, sold to Case. He spent a lot of time with us to show us the first floor of the house. We had a great tourguide, who we found out is the son of the curator. There are several rooms with specially painted wallpaper, and above in the dining room, there are several special painting/wallpaper sheets that tell the history of the west. There is also some documents from George Washington and other documents of merit on display. In the house, there are collections of CM Russell, Remington, and other famous western artists, there are also larger than life Audubon wildlife art. The main house is open for guided tours, and there is a separate building closeby that features historical Indian artifacts and artists from today can show their works. The Bradford Brinton Memorial Ranch is home to a large collection of western history and art, and is open to the public. ![]() The creative freedom that he enjoys has been hard earned, but Balding still stays at the helm of the production process that makes Balding Bits and Spurs one of the most prominent makers in the industry.In the middle of ranch country, there is a hidden treasure that should not be missed. Sometimes he will free hand concept drawings that will later make its way into a formal prototype. This has created an inequality in the market.”Īfter so many original designs created and hanging in the mouths of horses around the world, he still finds his inspiration simply through his everyday interactions. Companies in China have been copying American made bit designs at a lower quality and cost. He explains that one of the biggest difficulties is “creating and maintaining original designs. ![]() He takes pride in having some of his employees with him for over 20 years.īut with all of the success that Balding has found in the market, it has its fair share of challenges for him. It is seeing the bits and spurs in use on the trainers and riders that are his customers and the design process that he employs through his customers and employees that he still enjoys to this day. ![]() To this day, he still has the same inspirations and satisfaction in what he does. ![]() Soon, the demand increased from his customers for his items to be “dressed up” a little, so the silver began to appear. With a passion for the western culture fed through the trainers, competitors and riders that use his product, Tom Balding is still forging ahead in the industry after nearly 30 years.Ī self-taught artist, Balding began building bits and spurs in 1986. Tom Balding Sheridan, Wyoming Bit and Spur Maker & Silversmith ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |