Meadowlark Gallery: The Artist Biographies


So how do I know what is an original 1931 Sheridan-Wyo-Rodeo poster?

by

Gary L. Temple
Copyright 2018

The Sheridan-Wyo Rodeo association reproduced the rodeo poster in 1931. They printed ten thousand for publicizing the upcoming event. Gollings did the original design for the 1931 poster with the four corners of the poster left intact showing events. After 1931, they changed the poster design and they removed the four corners. The background became a tone of yellow. Additional terminology included Cowboy Days, Indian Nights, and Out Where the West Remains.

Several variables need to be considered for the originality of a poster in question. First is the paper size of the poster. The paper size is the absolute outside edge of the poster. The correct paper size was 39 inches high by 26.5 inches wide.

Some original posters have been altered in the paper size due to simply removing the upper banner and date areas. This alteration is obvious and cancels any collectible pursuits. If the paper size matches our data then the next step is to verify the soft tan margin or border area around the actual printing area.

If one has reached this point with no problems then most likely we have answered the next step. Look at the bottom left quadrant or printed area of the poster. The outside printed area in a brown tone must have, Printed in U.S.A. by Morgan Litho. Co. Cleveland, in a yellow gold font. The overall registration of the printing done by this firm was superb even for 1931 let alone today.

Now we come to the question or significant variable of the overall condition. Poor framing can affect the value tones of an original poster, incorrect glass causing the work to be light struck, and, or just poor storage. For example, storing in a tube could have left areas showing the roll marks on the overall poster. We have seen posters where they were glued down to masonite and after restoration still maintained a slightly brown tone. Another poster was purchased as a souvenir while visiting Sheridan in 1931. The poster was folded up and kept in a drawer until being sold to us around 2010. Even with the folding of the poster the intensity of the overall work remained.

Even before considering other variables, the blue toning is evident with the reproductions of the poster done in the 1980's. A key factor here is determined by simply using a magnifying glass. If there is a dot pattern then it is a reproduction.

Now with all of the variables considered, having passed all of the steps then one can feel confident about the originality of the rodeo poster in question. If one should have further questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

Gary L. Temple
Copyright 2018
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this article or any parts thereof in any form, except the use of brief quotations in a review.