Celebrating 250 Years of the American Spirit: The Finest Antiques, Art, & Collectibles from Sea to Shining Sea
The years 2025 and 2026 will be significant milestones for the United States. In 2025, we will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the “shot heard around the world,” marking the semiquincentennial of the American Revolution. The following year, 2026, will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. We are introducing a new feature to honor these momentous occasions that will showcase the finest antiques, art, and collectibles from all 50 states.
They say, “Everything is Bigger in Texas,” and that holds true for both the history of the state and the depth of antiques and collectibles to be found in this cowboy state. Indigenous people had occupied Texas for over 10,000 years before the first European settlement along the upper Rio Grande River in 1681. Fast forward a couple hundred years to 1845, and Texas became the 28th state in the USA, much to Mexico’s chagrin, prodding the two nations into the Mexican-American War. The history of Texas is inextricably linked to many of the best antiques and collectibles available in the state today, as it is a hubbub for all things military, patriotic, and, of course, cowboy-related.
Everything is Bigger in Texas (Including Hats)
Some of the best collectibles in Texas today do relate to the state’s cowboy history and the classic attire of any legitimate cowboy or cowgirl. Cowboy hats abound in shops and everyday wear, even though the most famous cowboy hat brand, Stetson, has Philadelphia roots. Famous cowboy hat makers from Texas include Resistol, whose name stands for “to resist all weather.” They manufacture their hats in Garland, Texas.
One of the most famous Western and cowboy gear dealers is Sheplers, which started as a saddle and leather company in the early 1900s. The company quickly evolved to carry everything from jackets, shirts, boots, and jeans to their line. Today, there are Sheplers stores in various Texas cities, and collectors of vintage Texas garb do well to search up “vintage Sheplers” on their online searches to find the coolest cowboy tops, pearl snap buttons, and all. To top off your bespoke Texas “fit,” don’t forget to add a classic Longhorn belt buckle.
Don’t Mess with Texas Fashion
Some of the finest Texas outfits are often topped off with a coordinating bolo tie. Unlike traditional neckties made of a single piece of silk and knotted at the neck, bolo ties are easy to add to any outfit with their sliding mechanism at the neck. The tie itself is crafted of a narrow, braided piece of leather with an ornamental clasp at the neck, often made of silver.
I was just vending at a market over the weekend, where I had a couple of cases of jewelry laid out. One shopper inquired whether I had any bolo ties—he was getting married in a few weeks and wanted to wear one. These old Western ties are pretty much eternally in fashion and are especially popular with those who want a low-maintenance and less finicky neck adornment.
Longhorns for Miles
One of the first things that comes to mind when you think of Texas symbols is their official “state large mammal,” the longhorn. This giant hybrid of Spanish and English cattle is known for its solid hooves, signature long horns, and, of course, its overall hardiness. Texans love their longhorns because their hardiness mirrors the hardiness of the Texas people.
Today, vintage Longhorn lovers can skip a visit to Longhorn Steakhouse and instead out antiques and collectibles adorned with this giant cow on everything from vintage Zippo lighters to sculptures.
Who Shot J.R.?
If you are a fan of firearms, you can’t go wrong seeking out vintage examples in the state of Texas. Any Texan worth his grit knows the bloody, gunfighting history of the 1836 Battle of the Alamo, which exemplifies the long-lasting gun culture in the state.
More contemporarily, Texas is also the state famous in the 1980s for the Friday night soap opera Dallas, whose most popular plot line was the infamous “Who Shot J.R.?” Not only did the story make the cover of Time magazine, but countless collectibles were released in conjunction with the mystery, including J.R. Ewing’s Private Stock Beer by the Pearl Brewing Company. An unopened six-pack of this beer sold for over 3K in 2023.
Cheers to that and to the great state of Texas!
Amy Moyer is the proprietor of Antmuffin: Art, Antiques & Collectibles. She holds a B.A. in Visual Art from Brown University and lives in Boston.
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