Hello, I am new to the net and hoping that someone out there can help me locate
   museums, libraries, or individuals with collections, catalogs, or information
    on the following topics:
 
        leatherworking tools, particularly those used for crafting saddles
        mass manufacture of saddles and saddle trees
        saddles made by
                the Visalia Stock Saddle Co. (SF, CA) 1935-45
                the Victor Alexander Saddle Co. (Hayward, CA) 1940-44
                the Hollywood Saddlery, 1940's
                Tex-Tan Saddle Co. (Yoakum, TX) 1940's
                Bona Allen Saddle Co (Buford, GA) 1950-70
        silver-mounted saddles in CA in the 1930's and 40's
        the rodeo circuit (NYC, Chicago, etc) in the 1920's and early 30's
        dude ranch records in MT, WY or other western states in the 20's or 30's
I am currently working on an MA thesis to document the career of
 
                        Victor Alexander
 
an American saddlemaker whose career is outlined above.  Alexander chose to work
    to improve the quality of mass manufactured saddles in the US, and eventuall
   y became the saddle desiigner and production manager for Bona Allen Saddle Co
   .
(near Atlanta), and designed almost every saddle in their line from 1950-1970.
This is a collaborative project with the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody,
    WY, where a large collection of Alexander's tools now reside.  (and I mean
LARGE.... over 3000 pieces, many of which I had the pleasure of cataloguing last
    summer!)
 
Thank you for listening.  Any and all leads would be appreciated.
 
Rod Coslet
MA student
Cooperstown Graduate Program in History Museum Studies