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...
Choose Your Layout > Switch to Grid View Switch to List View
William Howard Taft Postcard Collection [142029]1500 - William Howard Taft Postcard Collection [142029]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Excellent lot of 26 vintage postcards featuring President William Howard Taft. Taft and family, street scenes of Taft appearances, political campaigni
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 500.00
Sold to j*******h for (120.00 + 30.00BP) = 150.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Prudential Insurance Co Art Card Series c. 1905-1908 (60) [141384]1501 - Prudential Insurance Co Art Card Series c. 1905-1908 (60) [141384]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
About 60 cards from Prudential Insurance Company c. 1905-08. Many are pre-split back cards. One is a post office irregularity with a Pan Pacific 1915
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 75.00 | Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
 
 
Details...Bookmark
Railroad Station Postcard Collection [130708]1502 - Railroad Station Postcard Collection [130708]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of over 45. Some dups. Mostly stations ñ some scenic railroad. Stations from large to small: New York, Burlington, Washington D. C. Colora
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to D*****6 for (100.00 + 25.00BP) = 125.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Religious Postcard Collection (130+) [142566]1503 - Religious Postcard Collection (130+) [142566]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of over 130 religion-themed postcards. Includes four undivided back cards postmarked 1906 - 1909, fifteen RPCs (two postmarked 1912 & 1914)...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 300.00
Sold to d*******f for (60.00 + 15.00BP) = 75.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Sewing Machine Advertising Postcard Collection [142075]1504 - Sewing Machine Advertising Postcard Collection [142075]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of about a dozen early sewing machine advertising postcards and store cards. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Ken Pr
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold to t********f for (60.00 + 15.00BP) = 75.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Shoe Advertising Postcard Collection [142057]1505 - Shoe Advertising Postcard Collection [142057]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of over 60 vintage postcards advertising shoes. Clever leather one in the shape of a sole. Many of the shoe factories, inside and out. Date: C
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
Sold to m*****9 for (120.00 + 30.00BP) = 150.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Surveying Postcard Collection [142043]1506 - Surveying Postcard Collection [142043]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
From George Washington to the Engineer Corps of the United States Army. Lot of 14 postcards picturing the business of surveying. Date: Country (if
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (70.00 + 17.50BP) = 87.50
 
Details...Bookmark
Telegraph Postcard Collection [142033]1507 - Telegraph Postcard Collection [142033]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 13 pieces of telegram history. Three passes for telegraph use (1906, 1907). Postcards offering telegram messages; a lady telegraph messenger in
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 300.00
Sold to R*****s for (35.00 + 8.75BP) = 43.75
 
Details...Bookmark
Vintage Telephone Postcard Collection [142067]1508 - Vintage Telephone Postcard Collection [142067]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of over 100 postcards concerning early telephone usage. About 60 humorous; switchboard operators, Alexander Graham Bell, Bell buildings around the
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (150.00 + 37.50BP) = 187.50
 
Details...Bookmark
Toys Postcard Collection (40+) [142554]1509 - Toys Postcard Collection (40+) [142554]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of over 40 postcards of toys. Approx. 30 RPCs, one undivided back (c. 1905) advertising card, along with a few pieces of ephemera. Two cards fro
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 3,000.00
Sold to j*******h for (80.00 + 20.00BP) = 100.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Typewriter Related Advertising Postcards (28) [141386]1510 - Typewriter Related Advertising Postcards (28) [141386]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Advertising postcards from the typewriter makers of the day. Top companies include Smith Corona, Underwood, Oliver & Remington. An interesting c...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to m********s.. for (35.00 + 8.75BP) = 43.75
 
Details...Bookmark
Columbia, Wells Fargo Cover Collection [123793]1511 - Columbia, Wells Fargo Cover Collection [123793]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of three. Each has a different Wells Fargo postmark. One is a hard-to-find VERY STRONG stamp, "Wells, Fargo & Co., Express, Columbia, C...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 300.00 | Estimate : 600.00 - 800.00
 
 
Details...Bookmark
Three Mariposa Wells Fargo Covers with 3 Different Stamps1512 - Three Mariposa Wells Fargo Covers with 3 Different Stamps
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Addressed to George Wallace, James Deiring and (?). Stamped envelopes: U3 red, U13 pink, UU21 green. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Cali
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 400.00
 
 
Details...Bookmark
Marysville 1850 Gold Rush Coverless Letter [126733]1513 - Marysville 1850 Gold Rush Coverless Letter [126733]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
$325 promissory note to R. A. Pearis from C. Cobillance & Co. July 18, 1850. For lots purchased in Marysville. Paid in full 1853. Filed 1856. A ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to R*****s for (170.00 + 42.50BP) = 212.50
 
Details...Bookmark
Marysville Postal Collection: Five different cancels and one Valentines Cover (three letters) [123801514 - Marysville Postal Collection: Five different cancels and one Valentines Cover (three letters) [12380
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1) Double circle with grid killer. Mostly personal, but mentions gold coin, chinaman working and girls can make $20 to $24 a week. 2) 1855. Track canc
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 600.00 - 1,000.00
Sold to R*****s for (275.00 + 68.75BP) = 343.75
 
Details...Bookmark
Pacific Express Company, Murphys, Calaveras County, California [123765]1515 - Pacific Express Company, Murphys, Calaveras County, California [123765]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
PAID' stamp. Addressed to Miss Brush in Stockton. 3c U4 red stamp. Early. The area around Murphys (Calaveras County) was originally occupied by ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 300.00 | Estimate : 600.00 - 1,000.00
 
 
Details...Bookmark
Wells Fargo Express, Shasta County Original Package Labels (4) [141378]1516 - Wells Fargo Express, Shasta County Original Package Labels (4) [141378]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Four original Wells Fargo Express, Shasta, Cal. package labels. Different sizes. Very good condition. The Wells Fargo building was built in 1905 at 16
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 200.00
Sold to b*******n for (65.00 + 16.25BP) = 81.25
 
Details...Bookmark
Montana Correspondence Group [143005]1517 - Montana Correspondence Group [143005]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Hundreds of covers with contents from Montana towns, c 1870s-1920, mostly 1880s-90s. Many with corner advertising. Business and personal contents, tho
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 1,000.00
Sold to n*******4 for (325.00 + 71.50BP) = 396.50
 
Details...Bookmark
Postal Covers with Contents from Montana, 1880's [140833]1518 - Postal Covers with Contents from Montana, 1880's [140833]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This lot contains over 100 postal covers with letters of correspondence and invoices from Montana in the 1880's-1890's. Date: Countr...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,500.00 - 3,000.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (850.00 + 212.50BP) = 1,062.50
 
Details...Bookmark
California State Telegraph full face Cover  to Day, Supt. Savage Mine, Virginia City [123786]1519 - California State Telegraph full face Cover to Day, Supt. Savage Mine, Virginia City [123786]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Rare. No cancel. Reduced at left. John Day, a local surveyor, was the namesake of Dayton, Nevada. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to f*****E for (100.00 + 0.00BP) = 100.00
 
Details...Bookmark