sibley

on 12.30.21, Sibley’s home & three outbuildings were destroyed by the marshall fire. he is a treasure of a human, heart of gold, hands formed by first ascents, a mind full of storied adventures and known facts. they don’t make them like this anymore. a total honor to call him friend.

Sibley: Have you been in the house before now ? 

Esc: No, It's amazing. 

Sibley: it was built in 1864, Lincoln was president. The war was still going on, Indian Wars hadn't really started.

esc: so much history in the walls and in each object you have here, can you share with me that one item, the one thing that you really cherish?

Sibley: here is the thing I have a thing for, it’s my dad's belt buckle. it’s one thing I own that I'd be bummed if I lost it.

esc: whats the story behind it?

sibley: My dad had six brothers and they all grew up in Denver. there used to be a store on South Broadway called Montgomery Wards. It was like a Sears. all the brothers went in there and bought these belt buckles together, I think it was right after the war in the late 40s or early 50s.

And I think they probably ordered them, Because  they're actually made by a pretty well-known Mexican silversmith. it’s a simple belt buckle, just a ranger set. It's a very traditional classic western Belt buckle, tip and keepers.

Esc: How did you acquire it?  Did he give it to you?

Sibley: no, My dad died when I was 14. It was in a box of stuff in my brother's garage, and I was iust out of high school, i was changing and putting in a new engine in my Austin Mini Cooper. I was going through shit looking for tools. I found this box of my dad's stuff and there was the belt buckle...and i got it!

Esc: as you should! do you remember why you were drawn to it?  

Sibley: Oh, yeah. It was Western shit. I mean he was Western guy. He was a snappy dresser. Yeah, he liked to dress. he was also an athlete, he was given the first full paid wrestling scholarship to CU in 1938.

Esc: hey, what do you wish for…

Sibley: To have known my father when I was an adult.

Those last two years of my dad's life, I started working summers at the Resort Valley Ranch in Foxton, Colorado back in 1962 and ‘63. 

I didn't get to see my dad at all…