A Texas Legacy in Objects: Inside the Collection of Charline & Red McCombs

Few collections tell the story of their owners as vividly as the one assembled by legendary Texas couple Charline and Red McCombs. Known for their influence across business, professional sports, civic life, education, and philanthropy, the McCombses also surrounded themselves with objects that reflected a deep appreciation for Texas history, Western culture, fine craftsmanship, and the people and places that shaped their lives.

On August 29 and 30, 2026, beginning at 10:00 AM CDT each day, Vogt Auction will present The Collection of Charline & Red McCombs, a landmark two-day sale featuring property from the couple's iconic Olmos Park home in San Antonio, along with pieces formerly on long-term loan to Texas institutions. From Western art and silver-mounted saddles to sports memorabilia, jewelry, silver, and personal possessions, the collection offers an unusually intimate look at two lives deeply connected to Texas.

Featured Auction Highlights: 

Red McCombs' Personal Edward H. Bohlin "Lee Douglas" Saddle (Lot 44)
Few objects capture Red McCombs' larger-than-life Texas identity quite like his personal Edward H. Bohlin "Lee Douglas" parade saddle. Dating to circa the 1940s, the black leather saddle is fully carved and elaborately mounted in silver, complete with a matching breast collar and headstall. Personalized details appear throughout, including McCombs' name, his ranch brand, a Longhorn, and raised figures depicting classic rodeo scenes. Estimated at $24,000–$28,000, it is as much a work of craftsmanship as a deeply personal piece of McCombs history.

Estimate: $24,000–$28,000 | August 29 

Texas Longhorns 2005 National Champions Ring (Lot 109)
Red McCombs' connection to the University of Texas is represented by a piece celebrating one of the school's most memorable football seasons. This 10K gold National Champions ring commemorates the Longhorns' undefeated 2005 season and BCS National Championship. Set throughout with cubic zirconia, the ring is inscribed "Red McCombs" inside the band. Estimated at $10,000–$20,000, it combines sports history with a direct connection to one of the university's most prominent supporters. 

Estimate: $10,000–$20,000 | August 29 

C. M. Russell, Rattlesnake and Prairie Dog (Lot 212A)
The collection's Western focus extends naturally into its fine art. Charles Marion Russell's Rattlesnake and Prairie Dog is a small but fascinating pen-and-ink drawing depicting a coiled rattlesnake alongside a scratched-out prairie dog and bison skull. The work is accompanied by two letters of authentication, including one from Ginger K. Renner, co-author of Russell's catalogue raisonné with Frederic G. Renner. Estimated at $10,000–$20,000, the drawing reflects the McCombses' longstanding interest in the imagery and history of the American West. 

Estimate: $10,000–$20,000 | August 29 

Mexican Sterling Silver Tea Set (Lot 1025)
Day Two moves further into the decorative arts and personal treasures from the McCombs home. Among the standouts is an impressive Mexican sterling silver tea set, complete with a service tray, coffeepot, teapot, creamer, sugar bowl, and waste bowl. With a total weight of more than 193 troy ounces, the substantial hallmarked service carries an estimate of $10,000–$15,000. It is the kind of object that speaks not only to collecting, but also to the elegant interiors and entertaining traditions of the McCombs household. 

Estimate: $10,000–$15,000 | August 30 

14K Mexican Coin Choker (Lot 1124)
Jewelry provides another glimpse into the couple's distinctive taste. This bold 14K gold woven mesh choker centers on a Mexican gold 20-peso coin set within a textured medallion and surrounded by a diamond halo. Measuring 17 inches and weighing 153.6 grams, the necklace has an estimate of $12,000–$18,000. Its combination of Mexican imagery, substantial goldwork, and striking design feels particularly at home within a collection so closely tied to South Texas. 

Estimate: $12,000–$18,000 | August 30 

Edwardian 14K Mesh Gold Purse (Lot 1089)

One of the most charming Day Two highlights is an Edwardian 14K gold mesh purse with an engraved feather-form handle and sapphire thumb piece. Its personalized engraving, "Mrs. Sam A. Leake, Dallas, Texas," gives the piece an additional connection to Texas history beyond its McCombs provenance. Weighing 142.4 grams and estimated at $8,000–$12,000, the purse bridges jewelry, fashion, and decorative art in a beautifully personal object. 

Estimate: $8,000–$12,000 | August 30 

A Collection Rooted in Place and Personality

What makes The Collection of Charline & Red McCombs especially compelling is the range. These are not objects united by a single category or period, but by the people who chose to live with them. Western art sits alongside championship memorabilia; silver and jewelry share space with saddles, Texas artifacts, antiques, and personal possessions.

Together, the two days offer more than an estate auction. They form a portrait of a couple whose collecting reflected their sense of history, their Texas roots, and the institutions and communities they supported throughout their lives. For collectors, it is a rare opportunity to acquire objects with exceptional personal provenance; and a tangible connection to an enduring Texas legacy.

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