The good old National Trust, home of stately piles, clotted cream teas and exotically stocked gift shops, have taken the Wild West to heart by appointing Lisa Hawthornthwaite as the first modern cowgirl in charge of 1,850 acres of grazing land at Studland Heath in Dorset.
Trust bosses created the role because an increasing number of visitors meant the cows could not roam freely as they did up until the early 20th century… Rather than put up fences to control them, the trust decided to revive the cowherding tradition.
As I sit here in my London office the thought of joining the Conservation Cowgirl herding 40 cattle round this beachside patch is very appealing!
Here’s another western themed eBay find - a vintage cowgirl playing card. I’m guessing it’s 1940s or 50s era as the artwork is in the style of the old WWII bomber nose art.
The card, the king of diamonds, features a happy, smiling blonde wearing only a cowboy hat, boots and underwear. It must have been considered the perfect cowgirl costume for some late night poker with your cowboy pals!
The card is advertising one ‘Atlas Mineral Products Co.’ of Mertztown, PA. A quick Google and I find that Atlas Minerals & Chemicals was founded in 1892 and the company still exists today. The corporate website states:
The year 2007 marked 115 years of service for Atlas Minerals & Chemicals. And as we look back on our history with pride, we also look forward to the future with a spirit of enthusiasm. Today, Atlas is regarded as a leader in the field of corrosion-resistant mortars and grouts, and floorings and linings.
Annie Oakley was “the first American female superstar” according to her Wikipedia entry. Not bad for a girl born in a cabin in rural Ohio who suffered a fairly eventful childhood and honed her skills as a sharpshooter hunting game from the age of 9 to sell to neighbours to support her family.
Born Phoebe Ann Mosey, Annie Oakley took her stage name before joining Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show in 1885 and became known as ‘The Little Sure Shot of the Wild West’.
Compare the Wild West Show promotional poster below then with the second image taken from a 1959 era comic ‘Wild Bill Hickock & Jingles #7‘ published by Charlton Comics:
I took a trip down the Kings Road for the first time in years and came across ‘R.Soles’. They had some great looking cowboy boots in the window and the website tells me the firm opened for business all the way back in 1975.
Are cowboy boots - like western films - back in fashion again? Half the shops in west London seemed to have them in stock. I’m guessing they’ve been in vogue many times in 33 years of trading. Take the poll below or leave your comments.
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If you’re about to head off and buy some new boots then be sure not to commit any fashion fopars - College Fashion has a great article for cowgirls on how to wear cowboy/girl boots without looking like Daisy Duke. And if you need a video refresher then watch this 2 minute guide to buying and wearing western boots with style:
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