Welcome to Our Site!
We're proud to have launched it!! More importantly, we are excited to offer Parade Saddles crafted by Ted Flowers, one of the most prolific and best saddle makers of his or any time. We thought the energy and money put into this project would be better served in the restoration and preservation of these timeless works of art rather than a overpriced website... Hope you enjoy!
About Us
Everything seen and offered are part of the personal collection of Western Performer and
Industry expert Mark Allen. After decades as a showman and western performer, Mark was
accepted to ride in the 100th running of the Rose Parade (1989). The first year he rode, his
horse adorned a Bolin Saddle, lent from the Bolin Company to Mr Allen. In his 2nd, he
picked up a Heiser Silver parade saddle, in serious need of restoration! Restored, this can
be seen in the photos. (seen right) His 3rd and 4th opportunity to ride in the parade he was
able to ride atop a Ted Flowers. Since then, he has become an established expert and dealer in all things Ted Flowers. At times, he has up to nine of these saddles on display in his home. Over the years, parade enthusiasts, dealers as well as museums call on Mr. Allen to buy, sell and appraise Ted Flowers saddles. You might have seen him on recent episodes of Pawn Stars!
Where it all Began
Over the past few decades, we've bought, sold, traded as well as looked at 100s of parade saddles. Most of which were traditional Ted Flowers Silver Parade Saddles. Then, about 10 years ago, at an estate sale, I bought three Parade Saddles, two traditional Ted Flowers and another more unusual parade saddle, presented as a Flowers. After much research and with confidence, I affirm this is the one of Ted Flowers first attempts, if not THE VERY FIRST saddle Ted Flowers hand crafted!! This saddle has a traditional Ted Flowers horn. Since he was just starting out, without dies made, each piece of the
diamond shaped nickel silver were hand engraved with a Ted Flowers design. After
further examination, we noticed a name stamped in the seat, "LV Frazier Indiana"
This company created high quality saddles from the 30's - 40's, when Flowers began
his career in saddle making. Until a dent was seen in an end cap this evidence was
a bit sketchy that this was indeed a Flowers saddle. Once removed to work the dent
we found an inscription, written in pencil which reads, "SPOT SHOP" "ANDERSON, IND"
well known as Ted Flowers company! (see below) Its known that the "Spot Shop"
was located in Alexandria, not far from Anderson. So out of curiosity, I contacted
Ted Flowers Silver Parade Saddles
Ted Flowers Parade Saddles
the mayors office and was put in contact with the county historian. He proceeded to tell me that the Spot Shop was located on Route 9, 1/2 way between the two towns and prior to the adoption of the Zip Code system, mail was sent via each of the towns. As luck would have it, the county historian personally knew Ted Flowers, as he was the lead Prosecutor, who attempted to prosecute him for a double murder. Before he could do so, Mr. Flowers died in jail awaiting trial, but that's another story...
To sum it up, we feel that Ted Flowers, wanting to start a new saddle company, teamed up with L.V. Fraizer, using one of their saddles and adorned it with his silver overlay. A short time later, after Fraizer went out of business, Ted Flowers had his dies created which we recognize today. The saddle and tapaderos are on the LV Frazier are all hand engraved. At 65 years old, this saddle is in remarkably great condition. We have also compiled bridle breast collars serapes and hip drops from the first generation of ted flowers dies which closely match the silver on the LV Fraiser.
Bought - Sold - Traded