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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Shasta Dam Postcard Views, Some RPC's show Dam Under Construction (10) [141374]1300 - Shasta Dam Postcard Views, Some RPC's show Dam Under Construction (10) [141374]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Nice views of Shasta Dam, some under construction and some completed. Also one card shows Whiskeytown Lake, near Redding. Five cards are real photo po
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
 
 
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Shasta Springs, Cal Postcard Collection (33) [141380]1301 - Shasta Springs, Cal Postcard Collection (33) [141380]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot includes a few nice real photo cards among the group. Views featured show some geysers, Mossbrae Falls, the S.P. Railroad station and more. Nice v
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to i*****l for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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Sierra Madre, California Postcards (55) [110771]1302 - Sierra Madre, California Postcards (55) [110771]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A large grouping of fifty-five Sierra Madre, California postcards. Contains a mixture of color and real photo cards. There are several cards with resi
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Soda Bay Springs, Lake County Postcards (10) [141293]1303 - Soda Bay Springs, Lake County Postcards (10) [141293]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Ten scenic and lake view postcards of Soda Bay Springs in Lake County, California. Includes two nice real photo postcards. One real photo card postmar
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold to l*******c for (30.00 + 7.50BP) = 37.50
 
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General Vallejo's Historic Sonoma Home Postcard Collection [142011]1304 - General Vallejo's Historic Sonoma Home Postcard Collection [142011]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of over 35 real photo postcards of the Sonoma home of General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, a California military leader and landowner. Vallejo bega
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 180.00 - 400.00
Sold to b*******n for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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Sonoma Mission  Postcard Collection [142014]1305 - Sonoma Mission Postcard Collection [142014]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of over 30 postcards of the northernmost of the California Spanish Missions, founded in 1823 at Sonoma, California. Most real photo postcards, on
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 120.00 - 200.00
Sold to b*******n for (40.00 + 10.00BP) = 50.00
 
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Sonoma Old Jail/Barracks/Blue Wing Hotel Postcard Collection [142013]1306 - Sonoma Old Jail/Barracks/Blue Wing Hotel Postcard Collection [142013]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of over 20 vintage postcards of General Vallejo's barracks, old jail in Sonoma. Also The Blue Wing Hotel, the Toscano Hotel and the Swiss Ho...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 120.00 - 200.00
Sold to b*******n for (30.00 + 7.50BP) = 37.50
 
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Sonoma Postcard Collection [142005]1307 - Sonoma Postcard Collection [142005]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of over 40 vintage postcards from Sonoma California featuring buildings, street scenes, churches and more. Date: Country (if not USA): State
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Agua Caliente Springs Hotel & Area Postcards (54) [141329]1308 - Agua Caliente Springs Hotel & Area Postcards (54) [141329]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Fifty four postcards featuring the Agua Caliente Springs area and the hotel there. About six of the cards are real photo postcards. Two notables inclu
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 600.00
Sold to l*******c for (60.00 + 15.00BP) = 75.00
 
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Fetter's Springs, Agua Caliente Postcards (16) [128898]1309 - Fetter's Springs, Agua Caliente Postcards (16) [128898]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Group of 16 postcards from this Sonoma County locale. Generally considered separate from one another, Fetters Hot Springs and Agua Caliente are adjace
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to j*******h for (30.00 + 7.50BP) = 37.50
 
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Real Photo Postcards of Monte Rio, Cal (5) [141364]1310 - Real Photo Postcards of Monte Rio, Cal (5) [141364]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Five very nice real photo postcards taken by Lowry and Rhea show Monte Rio river views. Four of the photos were taken from out on the river of the sho
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 110.00 | Estimate : 220.00 - 350.00
 
 
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Russian River, Sonoma County Postcards (49) [141357]1311 - Russian River, Sonoma County Postcards (49) [141357]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Forty-nine postcards that feature the Russian River near Guerneville, California. Five real photo cards by Turner Photo of Russian River near Eagle Ne
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
 
 
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Sonoma County Postcards: Kenwood and Glen Ellen [134345]1312 - Sonoma County Postcards: Kenwood and Glen Ellen [134345]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 13. 1) Kenwood. Eleven postcards, 10 printed photo and early color, one undivided back, and one RPPC of the Southern Pacific Depot. All except
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold to l*******c for (30.00 + 7.50BP) = 37.50
 
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Sonoma County Russian River Area Postcards (26) [141338]1313 - Sonoma County Russian River Area Postcards (26) [141338]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Twenty-six real photo postcards of the Russian River, beach, various cottages, and Guernewood Tavern. Nice variety of scenic postcards. Includes a cit
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
Sold to n*****6 for (60.00 + 15.00BP) = 75.00
 
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Sonoma County, California Amber Postcard Collection [134344]1314 - Sonoma County, California Amber Postcard Collection [134344]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 65. Includes the following Sonoma County locations with approx. card counts for each: Petaluma (29), Cazadero (18), Sebastopol (7), and Cloverd
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 75.00 | Estimate : 150.00 - 200.00
 
 
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St. Helena, California Postcards (76) [141287]1315 - St. Helena, California Postcards (76) [141287]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Seventy-six postcards of St. Helena, California. Mount St. Helena is a peak in the Mayacamas Mountains in northern California, near the counties Napa,
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 75.00 | Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
 
 
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Art Nouveau Calendar Postcards [142069]1316 - Art Nouveau Calendar Postcards [142069]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of eleven calendar postcards produced by the I X L Store of Stockton, California in 1911. Every month except September. Date: Country (if not
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (100.00 + 25.00BP) = 125.00
 
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Strawberry Cal. Post Cards [142203]1317 - Strawberry Cal. Post Cards [142203]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 7. Color. One Postmarked : 1908, Georgetown CA. Ground level view, Borderless, rare card of Pyramid Falls (color). J.P. O'Donnell ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold to D****7 for (30.00 + 7.50BP) = 37.50
 
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Truckee and Lake Tahoe Postcard group [130709]1318 - Truckee and Lake Tahoe Postcard group [130709]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of nine. Key piece is a fabulous RPC of Truckee station with train awaiting to depart, smoke billowing and snow covering the ground. Also Blue Cry
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold to n*****6 for (100.00 + 25.00BP) = 125.00
 
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Tujunga, California Real Photo Cards (9) [110761]1319 - Tujunga, California Real Photo Cards (9) [110761]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A nice grouping of nine real photo postcards of views in Tujunga, California. Includes Blanchette Block, the Fire Station, bird's eye views, and...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to d*******f for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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