Presented in this lot is a pair of Original W. R. Thompson Saddle Co. Leather with Conchos Batwing Chaps, circa 1896-1907. W. R. Thompson became well known in the cowboy world of the late 1800s and early 1900s for his solid, well-made saddles and other leather gear. Based on Rifle, Colorado, he made everything from the plain, everyday working saddle to the fanciest show saddle which he shipped around the country. That plain $40.00 saddle would have taken a cowboy a long time of hard work to save for as most cowboys were only paid sixty cents per day! Today that same saddle can run upwards of several thousand dollars. Perhaps the most important order in the saddle making career of William R. Thompson came in 1905. With President Theodore Roosevelt coming to Divide Creek for a bear hunt in April that year, hunting guide Addison Hockett of Eagle requested a custom saddle made for the president. This saddle was presented to Roosevelt when he began his hunt at New Castle, and it was in use during the entire three-week hunt. These Batwing chaps are in amazingly good condition, the tooled basketweave brown leather belt is solid with a heavy-duty metal buckle and "W. R. Thompson Co. Maker, Rifle, Colo" stamped on the basketweave. Two silver coloured metal conchos on each leg have a nice uniform patina, the leather legs are very supple and intact, most of the original stitching is also intact. Only tear noted is at the base of the left pocket inside. Approximate adjustable waist size is 30"-40"W, legs 30"L