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KNOWN VERN PARKER ART
It has been of considerable interest regarding the Vern Parker known art as private possessions. Parker was a very prolific artist and painted for many years. Many paintings have emerged recently and have become known as the website becomes more visited. Paintings are being made available through auctions, estate sales and occasionally on eBay. Many of these have contacted the website and as a result, have been documented and are available for viewing which is the purpose of this page.
The largest known private collection is located in New Harmony, and Buffalo Trails Trading Post in Utah. The next largest private collection is at the Archive of the San Juan Historical Society, Silverton, Colorado. Another remarkable display of Parker art is found at the Horseshoe Cafe, Benson, Arizona. The famous Butterfield Stagecoach Mural is on permanent display at the Community Hall, Hugo, Colorado. Another fine site is Vern Parker Lost Art , published by David and Madeline Vineyard. Madeline is the niece of Parker's wife, Eloise. More art is at Benson Revisited. Also Parker Hagman Collection.
Since the Painted Prairie website has been published, many inquiries have been made from owners of Vern Parker art. Through these generous contacts and by permission, private pieces of art are made available to the admirers and collectors of Vern Parker Art. Names and locations are not always given or made public as privacy is respected. Information is as was given by the owner. |
Jeani Parker, no relation, from South Dakota, was probably my first Vern Parker Known Art contact. We corresponded for some time in 2004, when the website was first created and there was no Known Art page. She is the owner of "King of the Range." Here is a vintage photo of Jeannie with the King in the background. |
 
Jeani with the original "King of the Range" Postcard of "King of the Range
In February, 2006, I received an email from Rhonda Imbolt, who told she had acquired a painting from an garage sale that strongly resembled Vern Parker's Race of the Stallions. On closer inspection, it was decided that the painting was a copy, however a good one. The details are slightly different, it is unsigned, and the Parker paiting bears the classic familiar signature. A copy of the original Parker oil requires definite scrutiny, but descrepencies are clearly visible. Since none of Parker's paintings are exactly the same, it is possibly another unsigned Vern Parker work. |
  
Vern Parker Race of the Stallions Rhonda's Copy Detail of the far right of Rhonda's copy.
In May, 2006, Carol contacted the website regarding a painting owned by her mother. "It was purchased in Silverton, CO around the summer of 1970.
It measures approximately 24" x 17"."
  Mountain Landscape Signature
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In February, 2005, Mary Bruce sent extensive photos of a mural painting by Vern Parker and owned by her father before she inherited it. She sent a generous amount of images as well as a thorough and complete description and history of the mural.
"The brothers Otis and Ed Quarles were born in 1915 and 1916, respectively. They not only grew up together in Alabama and South Georgia, they spent most of their lives living close to one another. One of the many hobbies they enjoyed together was buying bulk items from stores which were going out of business. In 1952, they obtained one of these bulk purchases from a wholesale store in Savannah, GA.
One of the items in this purchase was a “large rug” (as they thought it was at the time of purchase). It was rolled up. When they unrolled it, Otis said something like, “I’m not going to walk on this. This is not a rug but a painting.” He was very excited about his find, so he had it cleaned and framed. Then he hung it in the living room of his home.
The framed painting measures approximately 12 feet by 5 feet and is not in panels (as some of the artist’s large paintings are). The artist, Vern Parker, did a superb job of painting cowboys on horses, protecting the families on the oxen pulled covered wagons while traveling through the desert. His use of pastels makes the painting more vibrant. The onlooker can easily imagine the wagon train carrying many families from the east heading west seeking a better life."
“Pioneer Days” hung in Otis and Dot’s living room until they moved in the 1960’s; then it hung in their new home’s family room. In the summer of 2005, the Quarles’ sold their house in Savannah. Years earlier they had told their daughter Mary she could have the painting some day since she loved it so much. So she inherited the painting when they sold their house. “Pioneer Days” now hangs in Mary’s family room, where it is being enjoyed today.
The painting is truly a treasure – both for the great painting it is and for the story it tells. For more information on this painting, contact Mary: vspinc@bellsouth.net |
VERN PARKER PIONEER DAYS
Mural Details
   Signature Mural Name Pair of Riders
   
Woman in Covered Wagon Leading Head of Oxen Rider in Blue Shirt Rider in White Shirt
| I met Linda and Jim Sumacewiecz through the website. She became a valuable resource and asset for me as she lived in Aspin, Arizona, just between Tucson and Benson. She photographed the Horseshoe Cafe and Riverside Inn for use on the website. In December, 2006, Linda and Jim purchased the Palomino Champion from the San Juan Historical Society Archives. It is presently on display in their home. |
 
Jim & Linda in Phoenix where they picked up the Palomino Champion Postcard, Palomino Champion
In March, 2006, I received this message from James and Kimel Baker from College Station, Texas:
"We saw your wonderful web site on Vern Parker. We have a large 22 X 36" oil on masonite titled "Colorado" by him and a watercolor which is 14 X 18" of a Black Stallion, and four of his post cards. We acquired the works at an estate sale here in Bryan, Texas, about 10 years ago. We always liked his works and were delighted to find your very informative site. Both of the original works are framed and quite lovely. We are attaching images of them for your enjoyment. Do you have any idea of the value of these works? We are trying to inventory our art collection and it would be helpful to know. |
 
"Colorado" Black Stallion
This beautiful painting was auctioned on eBay: Offered is an original oil painting by listed artist and sculpture Vern Parker (1899-1978). Known for painting western scenes and equine art. The painting measures: appox. 9.5" W and 8" H. The mottled frame measures. 17.5" by 15.75" Signed by Parker on the bottom right. Excellent condition, circa 1950s-70s. Lots of info available about Parker and his work on the web. Estate fresh.
Seller volunteered the following information: I bought this painting and some other paintings from a guy who was clearing part of his estate. The Parker painting was among some other decent artwork. I liked it, the price was right, and I purchased. I was not familiar him before I got home and did a little research. The gentleman had a story for each item, so I was reasonably assured that it was a decent piece, and I liked the look. Much of the other stuff he had was southwestern stuff, and he was of some sort of Latin descent. I looked around on the Internet and investigated some other pieces to check the signature, and style. I was quite sure it to be the real thing, so... the listing you see is the final result. That's really about the extent of any story I can provide. Painting can be viewed at: http://byemylife.com/id38.html |
  
 
In November, 2007, Gary Harding sent three paintings with the following description: "They now belong to Alice Epstein and Gary Harding in Mancos CO. Left to right, they are entitled "Near the Border", (1977-1978) "Late Visitors", and "Navajos Going Home". We purchased three of, we believe, six paintings that were offered at auction in Durango, CO." |
   Near the Border Late Visitors Navajos Going Home
On Sept. 9, 2008, I received this second message from Gary and Alice:
Alice and I wanted to let you know that we just acquired three more Vern Parker originals. I have attached the pictures. This brings our collection to 6. These three were purchased directly from a member of the Parker family.
We thought we would provide a bit more information about the six paintings we now own. On closer inspection we found a title "Ahead of the Storm" inked into the back side of the frame for the painting that depicts the lead horse and rider with the second horse in tow."Packing Out" and the Untitled painting with just the single horse and single Indian rider are both using canvas on board. The other four are all canvas. |
  
Packing Out Ahead of the Storm Untitled
Near the Border is approximately 20 inches wide by 17 inches high.
Late Night Visitors is approximately 25 inches wide by 19 inches high.
Navajos Going Home is approximately 20 inches wide by 25 inches high.
Packing Out is approximately 18 inches wide by 24 inches high.
Ahead of the Storm is approximately 25" wide by 18 inches high.
The Untitled Painting of the single horse and single Indian rider is approximately 17 inches wide by 21 inches high.
These are actual painting size, not frame size.
| This fine oil painting of Cowboys breaking camp at night was painted by popular Western artist, Vern O. Parker (1899-1978). The piece was painted in 1956 when the artist resided in Benson, Arizona. The painting measures 22" x 30" and is painted on beaver board, a support that was widely used in the 1950's. The condition of the painting is excellent and it is signed in the lower right. On the verso is noted the location, Benson, Arizona and the date of May 19, 1956. |
Cowboys by the Campfire
 
This lovely landscape was sold on auction on eBay by Bill Elliott of Oatman, Arizona. It was purchased by a doctor in Colorado. The description by Mr. Elliott is indeed personal: "This painting was bought by my father in early 1950's from Vern Parker when Mr. Parker was living in Benson Arizona. The oil is 30 x 42, framed, 35 x 48. The name on back was my father, Garland M. Elliott. This Original oil was painted on a 1/4" hardboard mounted to a hand carved frame done by Vern Parker himself. I watched him make it 45 years ago. I was only about 8 when my father bought the painting from Mr. Parker at his trailer in the desert. It only took me 50 years to figure out what good art really is." |
 
This painting as is was auctioned and sold on eBay sometime in 2007. This is the message from the seller.
I bought this painting and some other paintings from a guy who was clearing part of his estate. The Parker painting was among some other decent artwork. I liked it, the price was right, and I purchased. I was not familiar him before I got home and did a little research. The gentleman had a story for each item, so I was reasonably assured that it was a decent piece, and I liked the look. Much of the other stuff he had was southwestern stuff, and he was of some sort of Latin descent. I looked around on the Internet and investigated some other pieces to check the signature, and style. I was quite sure it to be the real thing, so... the listing you see is the final result. That's really about the extent of any story I can provide. |
| Extreme Makeover! The same painting, beautifully framed and well presented, was offered on eBay again and sold. |
  
| Description: A LARGE LANDSCAPE PLEIN AIR OIL PAINTING BY WESTERN ARTIST, VERN PARKER, LISTED IN ASKART, ARTNET & GOOGLE, FAMOUS FOR HIS PETLEY POSTCARDS, THIS PAINTING DATES FROM THE 1940's, IT HAS A COUPLE OF SMALL REPAIRS WHICH ARE NOT NOTICABLE, BOTH PICTURE AND FRAME ARE IN ORIGINAL AS FOUND CONDITION, PICTURE MEASURES 20"X 24" AND IS IN A 29"X 33" FRAME |
This unique lamp was auctioned and sold on eBay. It is a type made in the Parker Gift Shop in Benson, using his work as well as the native materials such as dried cactus wood for the base and wheels. An example of Parker versatility. |
 
| This message was received early in 2008. "This used to belong to my father-in-law. My husband told me that his dad had this as long as he could remember. My husband is 53. I was wondering how old it was. I'm sending you some pictures of it. Thank you for answering me back. Yes, you can put it on your website. I live in Monticello, Utah. You have helped me to learn more about Vern Parker. Thank you, Belinda Nielsen. |
 
| A lovely lampshade using the famous Vern Parker Palomino Stallion, one of his first and most popular. |
Another art form of displaying a postcard. A lovely glass frame that could be viewed from both sides of Palomino Stallion, King of the Herd. This item cannot be very large as the back does not show the portrait of Vern Parker, pictured on all on the jumbo size cards. |
 
| Original paintings of "The Battle of the Stallions" and another painting, possibly "Palomino Stallion,King of the Herd" two classic postcards, are owned by a real estate broker in Texas who inherited them from her father. Her father had purchased them from Vern Parker. |
 
Battle of the Stallions Palomino Stallion King of the Herd
These two magnificent paintings have been submitted. Unfortunately, the owner's name has been lost. Hopefully, they will be seen on this site and be identified.
 
These two impressive paintings were submitted March 6, 2008 by Kim Turner, author and pilot, from Columbus, Ohio. They were purchased from Vern Parker in Silverton, in 1975. For more information from the owner of these paintings, you may contact fr8dog12@sbcglobal.net. |
 
The first painting is titled "Packin' In", measures 19.5" x 27.5".
The second painting is titled "Sundowners", measures 10.5" x 23.5. It is on wood and the back of it has what looks like he had started another painting and didn't finish it. This one is done with a knife. |
In June, 2008, I received this message from Brandy Russell, from Fort Collins, Colorado. "I work with a wolf and wolf dog rescue and we had a supporter donate a large amount of artwork to us that she had inherited. I'm not sure exactly how our supporter ended up with the piece. It was the only Vern Parker piece in the collection. We will probably end up selling the piece to benefit the sanctuary, since that is why the supporter donated it to us. This painting is available for sale. For more information, contact Brandy Russell, brussell@wolfsanctuary.net |
  
| Near the Sunset Signature Title |
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This magnificent painting, "Indians on Horseback," was auctioned by Auction House, Phoenix, Arizona, in January, 2008. It was purchased by a collector in Saint Louis, Missouri. It measures 48" x 36". The frame is handcarved and painted by the artist. It is on display at: http://www.askart.com/askart/p/vern_parker/vern_parker.aspx . The frame is carved out of 2 x 4s. Note the distinctive arrows on the frame and the detail on the Indians's jewelry. This painting was paonted by Parker for Garland Elliott while in Benson, Arizona during the 50s. The name of the owner, Garland Elliott, is on the back. The son, Bill Elliott, sold it in 1997-98 for an Albert Bierstat and $2,500 because he needed the money and had no place to hang it. This added information is given by Bill Elliott, Oatman, Az.
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Wells Fargo, Silverton, Colorado, 1962 The Hitchin' Post, 2005
This painting is owned by Daran Armstrong, of Brighton, Michigan. The dimensions are 25" X 31" (including the frame). For more information contact Daran: daranarmstrong@comcast.net
"My Grandfather and Grandmother ( Emery and Georgina Cummins - maternal grandparents ) bought the painting from Vern Parker in Arizona. My Grandmother even took some painting lessons from Mr,Parker. She was a very capable artist herslf but consentrated mainly on fine china painting. They had 3 or 4 oils by Mr. Parker, but this was my particular favorite as a little boy so my grandmother wrote my name on it.
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Wild Stallions in Handmade Frame by Vern Parker Detail: Notice Blazing Pairie Fire in the Background
 
Back of Painting Reads "Wild Stallions" By Vern Parker Benson, Ariz. '66. In the lower right corner is written, "For Daran, 1994" Painting Signature.
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