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

Auction CurrencyUSD Auction Location3555 Airway Drive Suite 309, Reno, Nevada, 89511, United States In Person PreviewPreview

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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Red Bluff, CA White Border RPC Postcard Collection (40+) [142550]1240 - Red Bluff, CA White Border RPC Postcard Collection (40+) [142550]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of over 40 white border RPCs of Red Bluff, CA located in the Upper Sacramento River Valley south of Redding. c. 1930s - 1940s. Combination of pi
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Redding, California Early Postcards (4) [141402]1241 - Redding, California Early Postcards (4) [141402]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Four early Redding, California postcards. Two blue sepia chrome cards c. 1908. Two good old real photo cards of West Side Public School and the S.E. R
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 60.00 | Estimate : 120.00 - 150.00
 
 
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Redding, California General Postcards  [141401]1242 - Redding, California General Postcards [141401]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
About seventy general postcards of Redding, California. Located in Shasta County, California, and known as the "Trails Capital of California,&q...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
 
 
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Redondo Beach Real Photo Postcards [138058]1243 - Redondo Beach Real Photo Postcards [138058]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 17. Four of the lot are Post Marked and cancelled, from 19 13-1930. three have 1 cent stamps. one stamped World's Pan Pacific Expo 1915...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to b*******e for (140.00 + 30.80BP) = 170.80
 
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RPC's Redondo Beach Pier & More [138059]1244 - RPC's Redondo Beach Pier & More [138059]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 44. RPC's of the pier and aerial views of the city in the 1960's. Seven are postmarked (1906-66)w/cancelled stamps (1,3,4 cents), o...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 200.00
Sold to b*******e for (75.00 + 16.50BP) = 91.50
 
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Redondo Beach, Cal.  Postcards [129937]1245 - Redondo Beach, Cal. Postcards [129937]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 60+. Mix of color and B/W. 33 have writing and are postmarked w/1 cent stamps.. Color and B/W of Steamer Santa Rosa @ wharf. Sailing squa
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to r****a for (110.00 + 24.20BP) = 134.20
 
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Rio Nido/Eagle's Nest Postcard Collection [142001]1246 - Rio Nido/Eagle's Nest Postcard Collection [142001]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
The Russian River resort town of Rio Nido was formerly called Eaglesnest. This lot is over 40 vintage postcards of the resort dating back to the early
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold to j*****0 for (80.00 + 17.60BP) = 97.60
 
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Riverside Mission Inn Postcards [140990]1247 - Riverside Mission Inn Postcards [140990]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 28. Pioneer and pre-split back era, CBS. Five have writing/postmarked w/cancelled stamps: Riverside, San Bernardino, Amsterdam NY,. All gr
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
 
 
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Riverside Mission Inn RPCs [141249]1248 - Riverside Mission Inn RPCs [141249]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 24. White border, one borderless. One postmarked Riverside , 1 cent stamp, commenting on amateur photography. Street level ; Pontifical Cou
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to d*******f for (35.00 + 8.75BP) = 43.75
 
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Mission Inn Riverside Cal. Postcards [141248]1249 - Mission Inn Riverside Cal. Postcards [141248]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 150+. Color and B/W Twenty Five writing /postmarked: Riverside, L.A.., Pomona, Long Beach, El Verano, San Diego, San Jose, San Bernardino.
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 900.00
 
 
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Arrowhead Hot Springs Hotel Postcard Collection [136268]1250 - Arrowhead Hot Springs Hotel Postcard Collection [136268]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of over 60 postcards from the Arrowhead Hot Springs Hotel in the San Bernardino mountains. Includes pioneer cards. Established in the 1860s, the h
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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1906 San Francisco Earthquake Postcard Collection [142083]1251 - 1906 San Francisco Earthquake Postcard Collection [142083]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of over 50 real photo postcards of the ruins of San Francisco and the survivors of the 1906 earthquake and fire. Many different publishers. Date:
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to h**********2 for (170.00 + 42.50BP) = 212.50
 
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Alcatraz Island Postcard Collection (50+) [142544]1252 - Alcatraz Island Postcard Collection (50+) [142544]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of over 50 postcards depicting Alcatraz Island in the San Francisco Bay. c. 1907 to modern era. One RPC, one oval frame photo, most are chrome l
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to d*******f for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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Alcatraz Island San Francisco Postcard Collection [142087]1253 - Alcatraz Island San Francisco Postcard Collection [142087]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of over 75 vintage post cards depicting Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay. Before it was a federal penitentiary, it was a U.S. Military Prison.
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
 
 
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Alcatraz Island Postcard Collection (23) [142543]1254 - Alcatraz Island Postcard Collection (23) [142543]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 23 postcards of Alcatraz Island (San Francisco Bay, CA). Included is one Private Mailing Card (no postmark), 11 undivided back cards (postmark
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 80.00 | Estimate : 160.00 - 200.00
 
 
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Cable Car Postcard/Pass/Ticket Collection [142085]1255 - Cable Car Postcard/Pass/Ticket Collection [142085]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of over 50 postcards of the world famous San Francisco cable cars. Also cable car passes, tickets and photographs. Some trolly cars as well. Cable
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to d*******f for (160.00 + 40.00BP) = 200.00
 
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California Brewery Postcards (16) [127777]1256 - California Brewery Postcards (16) [127777]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A collection of 16 picture postcards featuring breweries in California. Breweries included in the card set include Gold Label Beer, El Dorado Brewing
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 140.00 - 250.00
Sold to C*****r for (150.00 + 33.00BP) = 183.00
 
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Cliff House/Sutro Baths Postcard Collection [142423]1257 - Cliff House/Sutro Baths Postcard Collection [142423]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of about 150 vintage postcards from the San Francisco ocean view attractions. Including the September 7, 1907 burning of the Cliff House. Ocean Be
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to C*****r for (325.00 + 71.50BP) = 396.50
 
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Goldberg, Bowen & Company Whiskey Merchant Art Deco Calendar Postcards [142072]1258 - Goldberg, Bowen & Company Whiskey Merchant Art Deco Calendar Postcards [142072]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
We haven't had these before. Lot of six 1911 postcards from the San Francisco company of Goldberg, Bowen & Co. merchants in Finest cigars, w...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to h**********2 for (95.00 + 23.75BP) = 118.75
 
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Panama Pacific International Exposition Postcard Collection [142088]1259 - Panama Pacific International Exposition Postcard Collection [142088]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of over 75 vintage postcards from the Panama Pacific International Exposition held in San Francisco in 1915. Palace of Fine Arts, Arch of the Risi
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to l*********n for (130.00 + 32.50BP) = 162.50
 
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