Walker bought the shop from Juan Maratrel he had a partner named Henry Shuham and from 1870 through 1877 the men ran the Visalia Stock Saddle Company as a partnership. Walker continued to have these saddle trees made with Ricardo Mattley exclusively for the next 20+ years for the Visalia Stock Saddle Company. Walker having been a saddle maker bought Juan Maratrel's shop in 1870. The Visalia Style Stock Saddle was the invention of Juan Maratrel who created the very first Visalia Stock Saddle Tree, and D. Precursor companies that would eventually become Visalia employed makers like Herrera, and bore names such as Walker & Wade, Walker & Wegener before being name Visalia Stock Saddle Company. "The Visalia Stock Saddle Company saw its beginning in the year of 1870 with David E. Visalia is a storied company that has employed some of the most famous names in spur making. Mills estate by donor's great grandfather. CAL." (top of saddle, below handle/grip) "VISALIA STOCK SADDLE / MAKERS / SAN FRANCISCO, CAL." (on backside of backrest) Visalia Stock Saddle Makers, San Francisco
VISALIA STOCK SADDLE PATCH
There is also a rectangular patch on both the left and right edges (in relation to the triangular patch), sewn in about 5 inches from the edge that the triangular patch is on. The first patch is in the center of one edge and is cut in a triangular shape that has a straight edge lined up with the front edge, and a point facing the center of the blanket. There are three patches of leather sewn to the blanket. The company would move to San Francisco in 1887 and was primarily known for its saddles, but its catalog also carried other supplies and tack, including bits and spurs as well as saddlery hardware like conchos, buckles. The blanket has padding between the two layers and is sewn together on the edges and by a square shape in the center using beige thread. Walker started the Visalia Stock and Saddle Company in 1870 in Visalia, California after buying out an existing saddlery business started in the 1860s. Blanket (C) has red fabric on top and beige fabric on bottom. There is a set of two holes, on the right and left sides, towards the middle. There is a set of two holes on the left and right sides, towards the front, above the bags. There are two metal buckles, and leather straps (mounted on the inside of the flap) to secure to each buckle. Each bag has a round, leather handle and a flap closure. Saddle bag (B) is brown leather and has a simple squiggle pattern around the edges. Vintage VISALIA STOCK SADDLE CO SAN FRANCISCO CA STUDDED CHAPS, c1950s VGC For your consideration is this fantastic pair of vintage Visalia. To right of handle/grip is a 21 inch leather strap with a 4.5 inch loop at the end. Loops for feet are wood, lined with metal, and held together with metal nails.
Each tassel has two thin, leather strips hanging from the center and they have a metal ring attached to the center as well. Each tassel has two, stacked, scalloped circles of leather, the one on top being slightly smaller in circumference. On each side of the saddle are two tassels in the front and one in the back. Handle has a triangular geometric design the resembles a sun. Saddle(A) is brown leather with geometric designs around the edges.