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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Big Trees Yosemite RPCs [129944]1340 - Big Trees Yosemite RPCs [129944]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 10. RPCs in Wawona, CA (Mariposa Grove)., scenes: street level of the lodge, cabin in the woods. Five have white borders. In protective sl
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold to L******8 for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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Early 1900s Yosemite Postcards [129941]1341 - Early 1900s Yosemite Postcards [129941]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 23. RPCs of which five are non RPC. Eight are postmarked w/1 cent stamps : Fresno, Capitola, Santa Clara, Yosemite, Camp Curry. Scenes: Gla
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 180.00 - 300.00
Sold to L******8 for (95.00 + 23.75BP) = 118.75
 
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Yosemite Pioneer & Chrome Litho Postcards [129954]1342 - Yosemite Pioneer & Chrome Litho Postcards [129954]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 31. An excellent group of post card mix color and B/W. Includes some of Edw. H Mitchell first cards. Only Seven are NOT postmarked. Some P
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to L******8 for (140.00 + 35.00BP) = 175.00
 
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The Grand Views Yosemite RPCs [129947]1343 - The Grand Views Yosemite RPCs [129947]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 24. Mix of RPC and non-RPC. Five are postmarked : Yosemite Park, Camp curry, w/1 cent stamps. One has a non-cancelled 4 cent Mexico 1910-19
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
Sold to L******8 for (100.00 + 25.00BP) = 125.00
 
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Yosemite Postcards & Ephemera [129952]1344 - Yosemite Postcards & Ephemera [129952]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 22. Postcard, photos, playing cards w/Yosemite pictures. Ad cards Hillsborough and Santa Rose antiques show ad cards w/playing cards displa
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to L******8 for (45.00 + 11.25BP) = 56.25
 
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Yosemite Indians and Stagecoach Postcards [129946]1345 - Yosemite Indians and Stagecoach Postcards [129946]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 4. One Color litho of Indian Woman carrying laundry. B/W cards titled: Ta-Bu-Ce Yosemite, Leme Yosemite. Tourists stagecoach w/six horse t
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold to s*********r for (55.00 + 13.75BP) = 68.75
 
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Yosemite Park Postcards [129948]1346 - Yosemite Park Postcards [129948]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 28. Mix of RPC and non-RPC. Six have writing postmarked w/1 &2 cent stamps: Yosemite, Camp Curry, Proberta. Most have white borders. ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to L******8 for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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Yosemite Pillsbury Publishing Postcards [129951]1347 - Yosemite Pillsbury Publishing Postcards [129951]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 15. Pillsbury Picture Co publisher all with white borders. Five have writing and postmarked w/1 cent stamp: Yosemite, Camp Curry, one is d
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
Sold to L******8 for (85.00 + 21.25BP) = 106.25
 
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Yosemite RPCs [129942]1348 - Yosemite RPCs [129942]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 12. One color postmarked 1910 camp curry w/1 cent stamp. 11 RPCs:, Nine w/borders. Scenes of Le Conte Lodge ruins, Birdman Camp, Yosemite F
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to L******8 for (35.00 + 8.75BP) = 43.75
 
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Yosemite Railroad Postcards [129939]1349 - Yosemite Railroad Postcards [129939]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 3. 1. Extra rare card of Yosemite Valley RR Merced depot writing on back,, postmarked 1913 w/1 cent stamp, in plastic holder. 2. Color ca
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to L******8 for (60.00 + 15.00BP) = 75.00
 
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Yosemite Waterfall RPCs [129949]1350 - Yosemite Waterfall RPCs [129949]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 17. Five w/writing on the back, one postmarked Yosemite 1908 describes a forest fire they had to pass. Other postmarks : Camp Curry, L.A., Da
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 120.00 - 200.00
Sold to L******8 for (425.00 + 106.25BP) = 531.25
 
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Wawona Hotel Yosemite Postcards [129945]1351 - Wawona Hotel Yosemite Postcards [129945]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 6. One non-RPC. Five are postmarked w/1 cent stamp : Wawona Station. Street level scenes of Wawona Hotel from various sides. Four have wh
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold to L******8 for (40.00 + 10.00BP) = 50.00
 
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Veterans Home, Yountville, California Postcard Collection (70) [134329]1352 - Veterans Home, Yountville, California Postcard Collection (70) [134329]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of ~70. Includes: two different panorama folding cards (one 2 panel, one 3 panel), as well as 19 RPPC, 5 undivided back, and the rest are early pr
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
 
 
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California Missions Postcard Collection [142027]1353 - California Missions Postcard Collection [142027]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of over 50 vintage postcards from California Missions. A ticket to enter Mission San Juan Capistrano, some individual playing cards from Southern
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Frank Patterson RPC's of Unusual Northern Cal Locales (27) [141387]1354 - Frank Patterson RPC's of Unusual Northern Cal Locales (27) [141387]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Interesting group of real photo postcards by Frank Patterson. A few are of animals like a stringer of fish or a deer family, skunks or a wild cat. Unu
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 160.00 - 300.00
Sold to d*******f for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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Honolulu, Hawaii RPC Postcard Collection [130738]1355 - Honolulu, Hawaii RPC Postcard Collection [130738]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Nearly 60 RPCs. Diamond Head, street scenes, fabulous trees and calm oceans, bird's eye views, gold courses, buildings, Bis Hop Street, gardens,...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 700.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (275.00 + 68.75BP) = 343.75
 
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Moana Hotel Postcard Collection [140986]1356 - Moana Hotel Postcard Collection [140986]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of over 30 vintage postcards featuring the Moana Hotel on Waikiki Beach. One pioneer card, 13 real photo postcards and about 18 others. Date:
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (75.00 + 18.75BP) = 93.75
 
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Historic Photo Postcards by Baker of Honolulu [140973]1357 - Historic Photo Postcards by Baker of Honolulu [140973]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of over 35 real photo postcards produced by Baker Photo of Honolulu. Haleiwa Hotel, Mormon Temple, The Volcano Road and many others. Ray Jerome Ba
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 600.00
Sold to d*******f for (550.00 + 137.50BP) = 687.50
 
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Aloha Nui Series of Hawaiian Pioneer Postcards [130753]1358 - Aloha Nui Series of Hawaiian Pioneer Postcards [130753]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
14 total. The ones mailed have a postmark of 1903 to 1905. All published by the Island Curio Shop. Scenes include hotels, volcanos, Kanaka making poi,
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 200.00
Sold to b*********r for (70.00 + 15.40BP) = 85.40
 
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Aloha Nui Series of Hawaiian Pioneer Postcards [130754]1359 - Aloha Nui Series of Hawaiian Pioneer Postcards [130754]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
16 total. Cards that have postmarks are from 1904 to 1906. All published by the Island Curio Shop. All Aloha Nui series. All have the Hawaiian Seal vi
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 200.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (85.00 + 21.25BP) = 106.25
 
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