The fashion rage of silk hats originated in Europe and later the united States replacing the once popular beaver hats. When the price of beaver fell in the 1840's, the rendezvous system collapsed and the mountain economy shifted to various other enterprises. Many of the free-trappers and the mountain men took guiding emigrants, trading in buffalo robes, became settlers or bar keeps or traded with the Indians. Whatever it took to stay in the mountains and our of civilization. Also trapping was far from dead as some critter was usually in vogue as a fashion statement. This old timer definitely has an aversion to city life and prefers to live free...

Our happy hunter has taken up with the new cartridge firearms introduced after the Civil War. He is using a model 1874 Sharp Rifle and a 1873 Colt SAA 45 revolver. But rest assured that somewhere in his plunder, he maintains a flintlock half-stocked plains rifle. You just never knew when your fancy new shooter might break 500 miles from a gunsmith. The good old flinter could be repaired in camp in most cases and was cheaper to shoot. The Sharps was a real tack driver only handicapped by old eyes.

'BOYS CLUB" is number 21 in the STALKING HORSE SERIES and was reproduced from the original oil (24"x36"). It is limited to 850 signed by the artist and numbered lithographs with 85 artist's proofs and 85 publisher's proofs. It is printed on top quality 100% certified archival (300 years) pH neutral number 1 grade paper with an image size of 20x30" and a 2" trim on all sides. It has been personally inspected and signed by the artist in pencil. The plates have been destroyed after publication and no further issues will be produced.

Gary Carter
West Yellowstone, Montana
May 1997