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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Hawaii Surfing Postcards: Circa 1907-1940 [140988]1380 - Hawaii Surfing Postcards: Circa 1907-1940 [140988]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 20 postcards of surfing in Hawaii, made between 1907 and 1940s. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Hawaii City: Provenance: Ken Prag
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold to l******D for (180.00 + 45.00BP) = 225.00
 
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Hawaii Surfing Postcards: Post World War II [140975]1381 - Hawaii Surfing Postcards: Post World War II [140975]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of over 80 postcards of Hawaiian surfing, mostly color chromo litho, some black and white. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Hawaii City:
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 120.00 - 300.00
Sold to l******D for (80.00 + 20.00BP) = 100.00
 
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Vintage Hawaiian Surfing Postcard Collection [140985]1382 - Vintage Hawaiian Surfing Postcard Collection [140985]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 13 early real photo postcards of Hawaiian surfing. Two are hand colored. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Hawaii City: Provenance: K
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 600.00
Sold to y******e for (600.00 + 150.00BP) = 750.00
 
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Hawaiian c1940 Postcard Collection [130743]1383 - Hawaiian c1940 Postcard Collection [130743]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
These are all white border, c1930ís and 1940ís cards. Large selection of topics. Check out the Baker photograph of water buffalo, Pass
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to d*******f for (90.00 + 22.50BP) = 112.50
 
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Hawaii Postcard Collection, Great Variety [130739]1384 - Hawaii Postcard Collection, Great Variety [130739]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 42. Includes Little Grass Shop, Hilo Hotel, Bishop Museum, Lau Yee Chai, gardens, Volcano House, Kawaiahao Church, Upside Down falls, Waimea Ho
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold to s****e for (100.00 + 22.00BP) = 122.00
 
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Hawaii & South Sea Postcard Collection [130742]1385 - Hawaii & South Sea Postcard Collection [130742]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
About 80 postcards. From the Curio Company of Honolulu. Printed in German. Post 1907. All are the Aloha Nui series. Dups. Features mostly countryside
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 800.00
Sold to m*****9 for (250.00 + 62.50BP) = 312.50
 
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Hawaiian Postcards by Tuck [130750]1386 - Hawaiian Postcards by Tuck [130750]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
RARE! Lot of thirteen. Ten by Tuck ñ the world's most famous postcard company of his time. Includes officer's quarters, suburbs, Kallol...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold to d*******f for (35.00 + 8.75BP) = 43.75
 
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Hula Dancing Postcard Collection [140984]1387 - Hula Dancing Postcard Collection [140984]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of over 50 postcards celebrating the Hawaiian tradition of hula dancing. Some vintage black and white, some newer color chromo litho. Date: Cou
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to d*******f for (550.00 + 137.50BP) = 687.50
 
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Imprinted Hawaii Stamped Postcards [130757]1388 - Imprinted Hawaii Stamped Postcards [130757]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of four. All from Hawaii Universal Postal Union cards. All dated Kalkaua.R.1881. Two blue and two red. All different. One is from the General Unio
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (85.00 + 21.25BP) = 106.25
 
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Imprinted Stamps on Hawaiian Postal Cards [130759]1389 - Imprinted Stamps on Hawaiian Postal Cards [130759]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 12. Two different stamps. All red. Reverses all have advertising: M'Bryde Sugar, The Forty Wrestlers, Benson, Smith & Co., Honolulu W...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold to m*****9 for (275.00 + 68.75BP) = 343.75
 
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Interesting Hawaiian Postcard Group [130760]1390 - Interesting Hawaiian Postcard Group [130760]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 8, Three imprinted stamped cards. All different. 1881, 1893. Two Hawaiian Stamp Private Mailing Postcards. C1906. Two cards imprinted with stam
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 120.00 - 200.00
Sold to v******p for (225.00 + 56.25BP) = 281.25
 
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Kauai White Border RPC Postcard Collection [140974]1391 - Kauai White Border RPC Postcard Collection [140974]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 19 white border black and white real photo postcards of Kauai. Waimea Canyon, Kalihiwai, Sugar Mill, Spouting Horn, Nawiliwili Harbor and more.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to s****e for (50.00 + 11.00BP) = 61.00
 
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Railroads of Hawaii Postcard Collection [140983]1392 - Railroads of Hawaii Postcard Collection [140983]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of over 25 real photo postcards of railroad in Hawaii. Oahu Railway Station, hauling sugar cane and scary train trestles. Date: Country (if no
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 500.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (100.00 + 25.00BP) = 125.00
 
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Royal Palace and Museum of Hawaii Real Photo Postcard Collection [140980]1393 - Royal Palace and Museum of Hawaii Real Photo Postcard Collection [140980]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 19 black and white real photo postcards of The Queen Emma Museum and the Queen's Royal Palace in Honolulu. Date: Country (if not USA):...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to d*******f for (30.00 + 7.50BP) = 37.50
 
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Vintage Military Postcards of Hawaii  [140982]1394 - Vintage Military Postcards of Hawaii [140982]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of over 30 black and white real photo postcards of U.S. Military activity in Hawaii. Schofield Barracks, Mid Pacific Carnival Honolulu Military To
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 600.00
Sold to m*****9 for (130.00 + 32.50BP) = 162.50
 
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Elgin Watch Company Postcard Collection (30) [142565]1395 - Elgin Watch Company Postcard Collection (30) [142565]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 30 postcards. Exterior pictures of the Elgin National Watch Company located outside of Chicago. Five undivided back cards postmarked 1906 - 1
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 160.00 - 400.00
Sold to d*******f for (35.00 + 8.75BP) = 43.75
 
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Vintage Postcard Collection: Iowa [142429]1396 - Vintage Postcard Collection: Iowa [142429]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of over 60 vintage postcards from towns in Iowa. Street scenes, buildings, bridges, panoramas, steamboat. Date: Country (if not USA): State:
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to d*******f for (190.00 + 47.50BP) = 237.50
 
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Roycrofters Artist Community Pioneer Postcard Collection (50) [142567]1397 - Roycrofters Artist Community Pioneer Postcard Collection (50) [142567]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 50 postcards depicting the Roycroft campus located in East Aurora, NY. Collection includes over 20 Private Mailing Cards (one postmarked 1906)
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 160.00 - 250.00
Sold to l******D for (120.00 + 30.00BP) = 150.00
 
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Buildings and Parks Around New York Post Cards [142197]1398 - Buildings and Parks Around New York Post Cards [142197]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot 102. Chrome-Litho , borderless. 1907-19 Sixty Three postmarked : N.Y., Fort Slocum N.Y., San Antonio, Chelsea MA., Grand Central Sta., Spri
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to a****x for (100.00 + 25.00BP) = 125.00
 
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New York Hotels, Clubs and Restaurants Postcard [142205]1399 - New York Hotels, Clubs and Restaurants Postcard [142205]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 100. Linen cards, color and B/W, some white borders. Thirty Five postmarked : Freeport, East Range N.J., Grand Central STA. Battle Creek Mi
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
Sold to d*******f for (80.00 + 20.00BP) = 100.00
 
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