Description
Tyler Beard (1954 September 1 - 2007 December 20) was renowned for his expertise on cowboy boots and other aspects of Western
style. Beard and his wife, Teresa, opened a Western apparel, boots, and antiques outfit called "True West" in Comanche, Texas
in the mid-1980s. Between 1992 and 2004, Beard published five books on Western wear, cowboy boots, and Western décor. This
collection contains manuscript drafts and research materials Tyler Beard collected, dated 1948-1999, to write
The Cowboy Boot Book, 1992;
100 Years of Western Wear, 1993;
Art of the Boot, 1999; and
Cowboy Boots, 2004.
Background
Tyler Beard was renowned for his expertise on cowboy boots and other aspects of Western style. Born Barry William Beard on
1954 September 1, in Dallas, Texas, Beard was also known for sporadically changing his name and interests. As a teenager,
Beard played drums in a glam rock band called Max Pageant in Dallas in 1971. He graduated from Skyline High School in 1972
and immediately moved to England and began dealing antiques. Beard returned to the United States a year later and fashioned
himself as both a successful hair dresser and house renovator in New Hampshire. In 1983, Beard married his Dallas girlfriend
Teresa Lynn Skelton, and they soon returned to their home state of Texas.
Extent
5.1 Linear Feet
8 boxes
Restrictions
Copyright has not been assigned to the Autry Museum of the American West. All requests for permission to publish or quote
from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Research Services and Archives. Permission for publication is
given on behalf of the Autry Museum of the American West as the custodian of the physical items and is not intended to include
or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.
Availability
Appointments to view materials are required. To make an appointment please visit https://theautry.org/research-collections/library-and-archives
and fill out the Researcher Application Form.