Meadowlark Gallery: The Artist Biographies

Edward H. Bohlin (1895-1980)

Edward Bohlin was the nephew of the Swedish painter, Anders Zorn. Bohlin arrived in the United States in 1910. He worked first as a cowhand in Montana before opening a shop in Cody, Wyoming where he started selling tooled leather goods and tack. Subsequently he joined a traveling horse show as a trick roper, continuing to do leatherwork to supplement his income. The story of his introduction to his first great customer is legendary. When Bohlin was performing in Los Angeles in 1922, someone in the audience called out, "Hey kid, how much do you want for the coat?" Without hesitation, Bohlin called back, "35 dollars!" The buyer was Tom Mix, who at the time was the most famous of the celluloid cowboys. Bohlin stayed in Hollywood and in time, his shop, specializing in western leatherwork, magnificent saddles and other tack became famous throughout the world. Many of the leading Hollywood stars of the day commissioned saddles from Bohlin including Will Rogers, Hopalong Cassidy, Monte Montana, Roy Rogers, and Dale Evans.

View high resolution images of works by Edward H. Bohlin when available.