Presented in this lot is an antique Bona Allen Child's Western Saddle, Bona Allen company stamp on the top of the seat, circa mid-1900s. The Bona Allen Company was a tannery and leather goods factory that opened in 1873 in Buford, Georgia. It became the nation's largest producer of hand-tooled saddles, bridles, horse collars, postal bags, cowboy boots, and shoes and had a contract to supply the sporting equipment giant, Spalding, with raw material for the manufacture of baseballs and baseball mitts. Bonaparte Allen learned the trade of tanning from his father, Washington Allen. Bonaparte opened the Bona Allen Company at the age of 27 and operated it as a tannery and leather goods shop. It started off making whiplashes, then followed with the production of horse collars. In 1925, Bonaparte Allen died. He left everything to his sons, Bona Jr., John, and Victor. They took over their father's business and continued to produce what some people have deemed the country's finest leather. The Great Depression of the early 1930s had a positive effect on the company's tannery. The nation's farmers could no longer afford to operate their tractors, so they had to return to using horses. This, in turn, created a demand for saddles and collars, as well as all other horse related equipment. The Bona Allen Company received special acclaim in the 1950s for production of its classic saddles. During the peak of western movies, many of Hollywood's famous cowboy actors, including Roy Rogers, Buffalo Bill Cody, Gene Autry, Kenny Rogers, Lash LaRue, Gabby Hayes. The cast of the celebrated Wesern television show, Bonanza, preferred a Bona Allen saddle—some even bringing their horses to Buford, Georgia, to get them custom fitted. To head its saddle department, the Company hired Victor Alexander, a famous saddle expert from the King Ranch in Texas. This child's saddle has nickel plated brass studs along the edges, nickel plated horn. Double leather rosettes with leather thongs. Stamped "S" design also follows the saddle edges. Leather Tapaderos have nickel plated brass studs and stamped "S" design. Shearling underside is in fair to good condition overall, leather is supple throughout. Seat size 12", fenders 12", gullet 4.5". Saddle is in good overall condition, rich patina noted throughout. Some brass studs missing.