Bidspirit auction | Lubin Films Actor Harry May’s

Lubin Films Actor Harry May’s Cowboy Outfit - Philadelphia residents Harry May and his brother Charles were both “Urban Cowboy” actors who worked for Lubin in the time before Betzwood Ranch was built circa 1910. Lubin filmed many of his popular westerns at the Lubinville studio complex at 20th & Indiana in Philadelphia. The archive was acquired from Hary May’s widow in 1990 and has been on display in a museum until 2025. In this lot are items that were screen used cowboy outfits worn by Harry May during his time with Lubin. Included are: • A fantastic studded brown leather single loop pistol holster and belt with 5 silver stars affixed to the holster and belt. The cartridge belt contains 20 spent .32 brass cartridges. Holster and belt in VG original condition. • A pair of studded brown leather cuffs that match the holster and gun belt rig. Each cuff has a large silver star affixed to it with the initials CH engraved into them. Cuffs are in VG condition. • A pair of black leather bat wing chaps with a tooled leather belt and pocket flaps, studding down the outside of the wings, and silver card suits affixed to each wing (see photos). Chaps are in VG condition. • 2 pair of tall leather cowboy boots- 1 black pair, 1 brown pair, both in good condition. • 2 sets of spurs with leather straps. One pair is rusting, one pair is nickel plated with engraving. Both in VG condition. • A felt cowboy hat with satin band. Inside leather band reads, “Biskup Manufacturers 992 N. Second St. Philadelphia. Also inside of the hat in pencil, H. May. Hat in VG condition. • A hair–on deerskin vest in VG condition. • 2 brown leather bronco buster belts. One has nickel studs with several missing, and the other has nickel studs and conchos. It is missing the back lacing. Both are in VG condition. • 3 B&W photos of Harry May to include: 1.) A 3” X 5” matted photo is of a seated May in cowboy costume reading a newspaper. He appears to be wearing the hat, cuffs, gun belt, and possibly a pair of the boots as part of his outfit. The Lubin logo appears bottom right. 2.) A 7.5” X 5” studio still from an unknown Lubin movie with May wearing the same outfit as in the previous mentioned photo. The Lubin logo appears lower left. The photo has a tape repair bottom left. 3.) A 4” X 6” photo of a seated, well dressed May after he had finished with the film business and opened his own saloon. • A vintage trunk that the items were stored in when the museum acquired the collection from May’s widow in 1990. • A large engraved silver loving cup. Measuring 17.5” tall, it is inscribed, “TO JACOB MAY. From his many friends of the LUBIN MFG. CO.. In testimony of the high esteem in which he is held by them, and a means of showing their appreciation of his many kindnesses. Harry’s father, Jacob May, operated a saloon across the street from Lubin. This loving cup was presented to him by the Lubin Mfg. Co. employees. The saloon, most frequently recognized by historians and vintage photo enthusiasts, was operated by Jacob May circa 1910–1915. The bar sat diagonally across the intersection of 20th and Indiana Streets in North Philadelphia. It operated as a tied-house (a tavern tied exclusively to one brewery's supply) ostensibly affiliated with the F.A. Poth & Sons Brewery, which was one of the largest and most prominent beer brewing operations in Philadelphia at the time. The tavern's biggest claim to fame was its clientele. It was located right across the street from the Lubin Manufacturing Company (the Betzwood/Lubin film studios), a pioneering American silent film studio owned by Sigmund Lubin. The tavern was a notorious hangout for the studio's directors, stagehands, and silent film actors, who affectionately integrated the bar into local studio lore using it as a western “saloon set” for Lubin’s films. The loving cup is tarnished but in otherwise VG condition.