December Dreams Premier Auction: Western Americana, Mining, & Numismatics (December 2021)

Auction Details

Welcome to our "December Dreams" Premier Auction, our final sale of 2021!

December Sale Highlights
This December Sale includes many highlighted collections, including parts of the Ken Prag Postcard Collection, Bill McKivor Token and Medal Collection, MacKenzie Montana Collection, and the Ron Lerch Western Directory Collection, all supplemented by some world-class great rarities from other private collections nationwide.

Fresh to the market is the Ron Lerch Collection of Western Directories. The collection numbers nearly 700 different directories, and here are presented about 200 directories as the first part of this major historic and all-important reference material collection, picked somewhat randomly from the collection. Most of the Western states have several directories offered in this first sale. Some of the key pieces in the December sale are the two very rare San Francisco Chinese business directories, as well as a number of very rare county directories of the nineteenth century. Directories are considered “primary source” material, and as such are essential in aspects of historical research. Few of the directories in the Lerch Collection have been digitized (with the Langley’s San Francisco an obvious exception).

Yes, the Prag Collection keeps on giving! This sale contains about 500 lots of postcards, but the majority, perhaps 350 lots, are from California. This large group offers some of the best and rarest postcards we’ve offered yet, from Pioneer cards (Private Mailing Cards, c1898-1902) to rare artists and themes, such as Disney (1930s cards) and the Titanic (both pre-sinking and post sinking from 1912).

Within these two massive collections is a common theme: Hawaii. The Prag Collection offers about 40 lots of vintage Hawaii postcards, and there are about 7 Hawaiian directories from the Lerch Collection.

Antiquarian photography is another key category for collectors, including many historic and possibly unique western stereo-view cards and photographs, and an absolutely fabulous Ansel Adams original photograph group from his Yosemite Series (all signed), highlighted by “Moon over El Capitan”, print No. 10, considered by many as one of his greatest photographs.

As always, we have a strong Native Americana section, with baskets (more coming in the next sale), jewelry and art. Speaking of Art, we have three early Salvador Dali signed lithographic prints, and a rather wonderful group of Japanese wood block and lithograph prints, many with original signatures.

The MacKenzie Montana Collection continues, with several hundred lots of historical Montana documents and ephemera.

The Railroad and Mining sections contain selections from several private collections with a number of rarities. This sale features premier California Gold Rush and Nevada Territory mining collections!

Our Numismatics section includes a collection of So-Called Dollars and new offerings from the Bill McKivor Nevada token and world-medal collection, not to be missed!

Make sure to use the Keyword search tool to find items in your collecting areas across the three auction days. As usual, our team is happy and ready to answer questions.

And please send us those great collections for 2022! Yours could be the next world record!

--Fred Holabird & Team--


Auction Schedule

Day 1, Friday, December 17th, 2021, Lots 1000-1610
Philatelic (1000-1527)
Military, Political, & Firearms (1528-1558)
Gaming (1559-1577)
Model Railroad & Toys (1578-1610)

Day 2, Saturday, December 18th, 2021, Lots 2000-2683
Books feat. Ron Lerch Directory Collection, Part I (2000-2229)
Mining Artifacts & Ephemera (2230-2363)
Stock Certificates & Bonds (2364-2683)
Mining (2364-2551)
Railroad (2552-2624)
Miscellaneous (2625-2683)

Day 3, Sunday, December 19th, 2021, Lots 3000-3614
Native Americana (3000-3044)
Art feat. Ansel Adams (3045-3087)
General Americana (3088-3388)
Geographically Sorted
Misc. Categories incl. Coffee Mill Collection
Numismatics (3389-3613)
Coins & Currency (3389-3397)
Medals & So-Called Dollars (3398-3447)
Tokens feat. Bill McKivor Nevada Tokens, Part II (3448-3614)
SHIPPING & HANDLING: Shipping is subject to a minimum charge of $19.00. Shipping and handling cannot be estimated prior to invoicing as it is based on the size and weight of your purchase. Additional shipping and handling costs, if required, will be re-invoiced for the balance due. Items are not shipped until the invoice is completely paid. Many buyers purchase a number of lots. Every effort will be made to include all lots in a single shipping charge calculated to cover the weight and size.SHIPPING & HANDLING: Shipping and Handling cannot be estimated prior to invoicing, based on the size a...
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Idaho Springs Assay Group [123617]2309 - Idaho Springs Assay Group [123617]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 4. 1-3) W.J. Chamberlain. 1891 value $194.80 to Sam Washington for the Good Enough Mine. 1893 value $111.76 to Alexander for the Trojan Mine. A
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Start Price : 75.00 | Estimate : 150.00 - 200.00
 
 
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Claims Report for the Eldorado Lode, Colorado Territory, 1865 [123573]2310 - Claims Report for the Eldorado Lode, Colorado Territory, 1865 [123573]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Very rare territorial claim document for Lake County dated July 18, 1865. Charles L. Wall discovery claim. Eldorado Lode. La Plata District. Lists 8 c
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Arkansas Valley Smelting Company Assays, Leadville, Colorado [123635]2311 - Arkansas Valley Smelting Company Assays, Leadville, Colorado [123635]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 3. 1) 1896. #2681. For the Silver Cord Mining Company (Royalty in Yak M&M). Net value $310.36. Signed by Ferree. 2) 1897. #933. For the Y...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
 
 
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Leadville Assay Ephemera Collection [123569]2312 - Leadville Assay Ephemera Collection [123569]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 18. Includes assayers 1) Low & Chanute assayers and chemists. Billhead 1881. Charge for three assays for gold and silver. 2) Ibex Mining...
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Start Price : 250.00 | Estimate : 500.00 - 1,000.00
 
 
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Choice Leadville, Colorado Cabinet Card [123599]2313 - Choice Leadville, Colorado Cabinet Card [123599]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
No photographer listed. Details on this cabinet card are crisp and sharp. One can find Hayes & Wood Assayers, Marx Brothers OK Clothing, Grand H...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 600.00 - 900.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (325.00 + 81.25BP) = 406.25
 
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Leadville, Colorado Stereoviews [123608]2314 - Leadville, Colorado Stereoviews [123608]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 2 different. 1)J. Thurlow Photo, Manitou, Col. No. 188. "Chestnut street, looking west." Fantastic early view with easily readable ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 300.00 | Estimate : 600.00 - 1,000.00
 
 
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Two Scarce Colorado Assay Receipts [123634]2315 - Two Scarce Colorado Assay Receipts [123634]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of two different receipts from scarce Colorado assayers. 1) Colorado Smelting Company. South Pueblo, Colorado. Assayer A. Wright, For the D. Wood
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
 
 
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Silver Cliff Stereoview by Charles E. Emery [123602]2316 - Silver Cliff Stereoview by Charles E. Emery [123602]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
c1882. "Silver Cliff looking South" printed at bottom. Purple stamp for "Charles E. Emery, Portrait and Landscape Photographer, Silve...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
 
 
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Silver Plume Mining Operations Vista Cabinet Card [123568]2317 - Silver Plume Mining Operations Vista Cabinet Card [123568]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
The town sits under a hillside of tailings. Cabinet card photograph measures 7 1/4"x4 1/4", white single matte 8"x5" high to med...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 600.00
Sold to 8***1 for (170.00 + 37.40BP) = 207.40
 
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Victor, Colorado Assay Group [123616]2318 - Victor, Colorado Assay Group [123616]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 4. 1) Large Rio Grande Sampling Company receipt. Bought of Old Gold Mines Company 1903. 76 pounds of ore with a value of $909 of gold. 2-3) Eag
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 60.00 | Estimate : 120.00 - 150.00
 
 
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Victor, Colorado Assay Office Photograph [123571]2319 - Victor, Colorado Assay Office Photograph [123571]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Shortly after gold was discovered in the Cripple Creek area, Victor was born. Although poorly processed, this 6.5 x 4.25" photograph clearly sh...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Colorado; Its Gold and Silver Mines by Fossett (2nd Edition)  (With Index) [126773]2320 - Colorado; Its Gold and Silver Mines by Fossett (2nd Edition) (With Index) [126773]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
"Colorado; Its Gold and Silver Mines, Farms and Stock Ranges, and Health and Pleasure Resorts. Tourist's Guide to the Rocky Mountains."...
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Start Price : 60.00 | Estimate : 120.00 - 200.00
 
 
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Jackson's Diary of '59 First Edition [123577]2321 - Jackson's Diary of '59 First Edition [123577]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
[20] pp. Illustrations from photos, engravings, etc.;. 6.5 x4, original limp suede covers, title and gold nugget in gilt on front. Jackson had been w
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (120.00 + 30.00BP) = 150.00
 
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Silver Mining Regions of Colorado, Paris Universal Exposition, 1867 [126769]2322 - Silver Mining Regions of Colorado, Paris Universal Exposition, 1867 [126769]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Very rare. "With Some Account of the Different Processes Now Being Introduced for Working the Gold Ores of that Territory." By JP Whitney....
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 2,000.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (550.00 + 137.50BP) = 687.50
 
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Owyhee Mining Company Revenue Check, Silver City, Idaho [123715]2323 - Owyhee Mining Company Revenue Check, Silver City, Idaho [123715]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Dated April 7th 1872. #226 for $1088.32. A Scott #RN-C21 2c orange (George Washington) internal revenue stamp printed on (black on) white paper. X cut
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to P******e for (160.00 + 40.00BP) = 200.00
 
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Anaconda Copper Mining Co. and the Butte & Boston Mining Co. 1897-1904 [140370]2324 - Anaconda Copper Mining Co. and the Butte & Boston Mining Co. 1897-1904 [140370]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This collection of letters and legers cover the accounting side of all Anaconda Copper Mining businesses. The correspondences from the Butte & B...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 250.00 | Estimate : 500.00 - 1,000.00
 
 
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Anaconda Letterheads and Mine Pollution Ephemera, 1913-1920 [140368]2325 - Anaconda Letterheads and Mine Pollution Ephemera, 1913-1920 [140368]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
There are 34 pieces of Anaconda, Montana letterheads. The lot also contains over 20 pages and complete documents of pollution related to mining in the
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 2,000.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (300.00 + 75.00BP) = 375.00
 
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H. C. Gardner of Anaconda, Montana Correspondence 1913-1920 [140380]2326 - H. C. Gardner of Anaconda, Montana Correspondence 1913-1920 [140380]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This collection of letters and blueprints are from H. C. Gardner of Anaconda, Montana from 1913-1920. It covers the war years and makes an interesting
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 2,000.00
Sold to d*******f for (200.00 + 50.00BP) = 250.00
 
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Butte Underground Mucking Records Collection (370+) [142787]2327 - Butte Underground Mucking Records Collection (370+) [142787]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of over 370 mucking record index-sized cards for an unknown mine in the vicinity of Butte, MT. Cards dated from 1918 - 1922. Collection includes
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to d*******f for (250.00 + 62.50BP) = 312.50
 
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North Butte Mining Company Correspondence 1906-1921 [140381]2328 - North Butte Mining Company Correspondence 1906-1921 [140381]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
There are over 100 pieces of correspondence and mining diagrams in this lot. Significant exchanges regarding immigration, labor, the IWW, compensation
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 700.00 - 1,000.00
Sold to d*******f for (200.00 + 50.00BP) = 250.00
 
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