Fantastic circa 1930’s - 1940’s Jedlicka’s of Santa Barbara southwest style wool double saddle blanket. Used but not abused. Could use a cleaning or ride as is! Measures 60” x 30”.

HISTORY: On December 24th, 1932 George J. “GJ” Jedlicka opened G.J. JEDLICKA SADDLERY, INC. at what was then 2605 Hollister Avenue/ U.S. Highway 101. The store began as a shoe repair shop as GJ was the son of a harness maker and cobbler so shoe repair was a natural fit. GJ originally moved to Long Beach, California from Lynch, Nebraska in the late 1920s. In Long Beach he worked at Buck’s retail shoe store, then moved to Santa Barbara to work for Michael Levy. When Levy laid him off, he opened his own shoe repair shop, now known as Jedlicka’s. In addition to shoe and leather repairs, he started making high quality handmade boots.

In the 1940’s he began to dabble in the saddlery business, which included custom western saddles with the name G.J. Jedlicka Saddlery stamped as the makers’ mark. By 1950 Jedlicka’s had three boot makers, four shoe repairman, and three men in the saddle shop making saddles, chaps, belts, reins, bridles, and all things western.

Word quickly spread about the quality of the fine leather goods Jedlicka was hand-crafting, and soon prominent locals, politicians and well-heeled cowboys proudly wore “Jed’s” leather around the streets and ranches of Santa Barbara County. In 1946, a junior high school student named Josiah “Si” Jenkins, at just fourteen, went to work for Jedlicka. Soon after, the store expanded into western wear, acquiring contracts with top labels such as Levi’s and Stetson Hats. After graduating from Santa Barbara High School in 1951 and then Woodbury College in Los Angeles, Si served in the armed forces and then he began a full-time career at Jedlicka’s, applying his skills in leather work, business, and customer service.