Western Horseman: July 1954 Cover

Postcard US-4002384 to Japan shows the July 1954 Western Horseman magazine cover. It captures that tense, explosive split-second after the chute gates open and the cowboy says "Turn 'im out!" This photo was shot by Clarence Coil, a frequent contributor to the magazine during the 1950s.

When the Honeymoon's Over

Postcard US-3259468 to North Carolina shows a magazine cover, "When the Honeymoon's Over" by Western artist Bill Owens, for the Western Horseman's September 1987 issue. As do most of his paintings, this one shows a real cowboy, living and working in the contemporary West. Owen's artwork has appeared on the magazine's cover 29 times.

Carolyn Colburn Posed for Western Horseman

Outgoing postcard US-3208624 to Ukraine was a Western Horseman magazine's cover for May 1958, showing a photo of Carolyn Colburn, the daughter of famed rodeo producer Everett Colburn, taken at the Madison Square Garden Rodeo. On the back of the card, it reads "Carolyn was the perfect choice for the magazine's sixth annual Western Wear and Equipment Guide." A copy of the magazine costs 50 cents then.

National Finals Rodeo Celebrates 30th Anniversary

In the past 30 years since 1985, more than 1 million cowboys and cowgirls and their friends have invaded Las Vegas during the pre-Christmas periods for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo that has sold out 280 consecutive performances at the Thomas & Mack arena. Last year, the total attendance was over 176,000 with almost 90-million-dollar non-gaming economic impact to the city. In 2014, the competitions run from December 4 through December 13, along with Cowboy Christmas Gift Show and Cowboy Fan Fest at Las Vegas Convention Center’s North Halls.

Postcard US-2168978 to Germany was part of the postcard book Western Horseman purchased at the Cowboy Christmas Gift Show during the National Finals Rodeo in 2012. It shows the magazine's October 1950 cover and brings to mind Western heroines of that era. Barbara Stock, a Colorado University student and aspiring young horsewoman was photographed by frequent contributor Clarence Coil. Barbara Stock, who competed in local horse shows and rodeos, appears with her favorite Pinto mount at a ranch near Colorado Springs.

2014 Cowboy Christmas Gift Show

Spanish Style Building at the Western Horseman HQ

Postcard US-2869219 to the Netherlands shows the January 1955 Western Horseman magazine cover, featuring the historic Spanish-style building in Colorado Springs that was the home of Western Horseman for nearly 62 years. According to the description on the back of the postcard, employees often rode their horses to work and stabled them in the barn located on the property, back in those good old days. The price for each copy was 35 cents in 1955.

Forbidden Jump

Postcard US-2651065 to Luxembourg depicts one of the thrills of boyhood on the farm or ranch - the forbidden jump off the windmill into the stock tank. Artist Fred Boyce captured this high point in the lives of two pint-sized cowboys for the Western Horseman magazine's September issue in 1959.

This vintage magazine cover postcard was from a postcard book purchased at the Cowboy Christmas Gift Show during the National Finals Rodeo in 2012.

Casey Tibbs

Postcard US-2869228 to Japan shows the June 1956 cover, one of Western Horseman's most popular ever, featuring legendary world champion saddle bronc rider Casey Tibbs of Fort Pierre, South Dakota. This shot of Tibbs, in his trademark bib shirt, was taken during the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo in Colorado Springs. The magazine sells for 35 cents per copy.

Southwest Cow Country Branding

Artist Charles Paris created this Southwest cow country branding scene for the Western Horseman magazine's June 1952 cover. Brands from some of the country's most famous ranches accompany his realistic painting above and below. The magazine sold for 35 cents per copy in 1952.

The postcard was sent to Germany as US-2869221. Previously, covers from August 1952 and July 1959 issues were featured in this blog.

Girl of the West

Outgoing postcard US-2776619 to Ukraine shows the August 1952 cover of the Western Horseman magazine. It featured Elinor Tutt who was the the "Girl of the West" for the 12th annual Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo in Colorado Springs that year. Snow-capped Pikes Peak can be seen in the background just to the left of "Squeaky's" nose. The magazine sells for 35 cents a copy in 1952, same as in 1951.

Some twelve years later on July 2, 1964, President Lyndon Baines Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act into law in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is considered one of the most celebrated legislative achievements in U.S. history. The law made it illegal to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, and barred unequal application of voter registration requirements. One of the five things to know about the 1964 Civil Rights Act was how the protection for women made into law. In light of the recent Supreme Court ruling on the Hobby Lobby case, women's rights are not a given. They need to be kept vigil, along with the other civil rights.

#2695533 / gettyimages.com

Every Rodeo Has One

Postcard US-2663919 to New York shows another amazing cover of The Western Horseman magazine from the July, 1959 issue.

According to artist Gordon Phillips, "Every rodeo has one," meaning that for the local cowboy who saves his money to enter his hometown rodeo, more often than not, cheers from the crowd will be his only reward. The magazine costed 50 cents per copy in 1959.

Western Horseman

Outgoing postcard US-2651090 to Finland shows a vintage cover of the Western Horseman magazine's December issue in 1951. It is the magazine for admirers of stock horses,  featuring articles on Western horse riding, horse breeding, horse training, horse ranching, and horse care.

When illustrator Orren Mixer visited the magazine's offices in August 1951,  he was asked to paint a cover for the magazine's December issue. The painting arrived, still wet, on deadline day, just in the nick of time. The magazine sells for 35 cents a copy in 1951.

The postcard was from a postcard book purchased at the Cowboy Christmas Gift Show during the National Finals Rodeo in 2012.