Hello!
I work for a therapeutic riding program in Oregon and we are finally getting around to selling the donated tack and other items we’ve been stockpiling. I’m in charge of cleaning, researching, marketing, and selling currently as I’m recovering from a recent lumbar fusion and am not allowed to work with the horses or clients yet…
I came across an old Kauffman brand English saddle, made in England, spring tree, wool flocking, and it’s also hand-stitched which says to me that it’s both vintage and decent quality.
However, I can’t find ANYTHING online regarding value, pricing, or even any others for sale ANYWHERE to look at for reference, which I find rather odd. I did discover that Kauffman and Sons was founded in 1875 and considered a “premier saddlery” in New York City selling luxury tack and tweed coats. It has since closed, and that apparently is where the story ends.
Can anyone please give me some more information regarding this saddle brand and potential value?
Thanks so much!
Believe they went out of business about 30 years ago but were considered top of the line most of the decades they were in business…but do not think they were as popular towards the end. Think it would be considered more of a classic rather then something you could find relevant comparisons to compare in order to set a value.
Thank you!
I have to agree with you. It’s definitely more “vintage” and probably more of a collector’s item than anything- I certainly wouldn’t want to ride in it. I like my saddles a little less flat and with a bit more cushion 
. It definitely was well-made though and I can see how it may have been popular at one point.
Just off the top of my head, I would expect it to be comparable to a Crosby of the same vintage. Crosby was Miller’s (the other big saddlery store in NY at the time) house brand.
I mourn the passing of Kauffman’s saddlery.
They sent me their catalogues when I was a teenager. I devoured these catalogues, dreaming, dreaming, dreaming.
I put together “packages” of what I might need that wondrous day when I finally got my own horse.
I got my first horse in 1970. My parents had some business in NYC and they took me to Kauffman’s.
EVERY time I got to visit NYC I went to Kauffman’s. I LOVED that store!
I never got all that I wanted during my dreams fueled by those Kauffman catalogues, but I picked up a lot of knowledge about tack!
Me, too. One of the happiest mail days of the year was the day the Kauffman’s catalog arrived.
