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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Great White Fleet Printed Postcard Collection (65) [142558]1540 - Great White Fleet Printed Postcard Collection (65) [142558]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of approx. 65 color and B&W printed postcards depicting the US Navy's Great White Fleet, c. 1907 - 1910. 16 undivided back cards inclu...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 500.00
Sold to C*****r for (300.00 + 66.00BP) = 366.00
 
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Great White Fleet RPC Postcard Collection (33) [142557]1541 - Great White Fleet RPC Postcard Collection (33) [142557]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 24 RPC postcards and 9 B&W photographs of the US Navy's Great White Fleet. c. 1908. One card features embossed color background of a...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold to C*****r for (200.00 + 44.00BP) = 244.00
 
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US Battleships Postcard Collection (70) [142559]1542 - US Battleships Postcard Collection (70) [142559]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 70 items. Postcard collection of battleships and submarines. Collection includes two undivided backs with approx. 15 RPCs and 20 prints of US
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 400.00
Sold to C*****r for (275.00 + 60.50BP) = 335.50
 
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Military Real Photo Postcards (31) [141395]1543 - Military Real Photo Postcards (31) [141395]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Thirty-one military real photo postcards. Includes a foldout postcard titled "Man--of--War Lingo." Contains a U.S. Mail-U.S. Army pouch fr...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to j*******h for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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U.S. Army/Marines in Uniform Postcards (26) [141394]1544 - U.S. Army/Marines in Uniform Postcards (26) [141394]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Twenty-six real photo postcards of men in U.S. Army or Marine uniforms. Includes one card of a female in uniform. Early photo cards, many of which are
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (45.00 + 11.25BP) = 56.25
 
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U.S. Navy in Uniform Postcards (46) [141396]1545 - U.S. Navy in Uniform Postcards (46) [141396]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Forty-six postcards of men in U.S. Navy uniforms. Real photo postcards with some of the men on ships in various locations. Some are posed in groups an
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
Sold to p********6 for (75.00 + 18.75BP) = 93.75
 
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Abraham Lincoln Ephemera [142048]1546 - Abraham Lincoln Ephemera [142048]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of three pieces of Lincoln ephemera: 1908 Republican National Convention ticket with vignette of Honest Abe; cabinet card of Lincoln and his famil
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (30.00 + 7.50BP) = 37.50
 
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1888 Benjamin  Harrison Campaign Pin [136309]1547 - 1888 Benjamin Harrison Campaign Pin [136309]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Red white and blue enameled pin Harrison / 1888. 46 mm long, 21 mm high. Benjamin Harrison ( 1833 ñ 1901) was an American lawyer and politici
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (55.00 + 13.75BP) = 68.75
 
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Theodore Roosevelt Fob [136310]1548 - Theodore Roosevelt Fob [136310]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
To / Washington / Theo Roosevelt / 1904. Br., 38 x 45 mm. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance:
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
Sold to A*****0 for (60.00 + 13.20BP) = 73.20
 
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Political Button Collection [141993]1549 - Political Button Collection [141993]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of over 30 political buttons covering most of the 20th century. Alf Landon, Hoover, Nixon/Lodge, George Wallace, Barry Goldwater, Al Gore, Jimmy H
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to m*****o for (85.00 + 18.70BP) = 103.70
 
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Political Token Group [140936]1550 - Political Token Group [140936]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of four pieces of a political nature. 1) President Harry S. Truman / VJ Day 1945; Br., rd., 44 mm. 2) 1860 Campaign Medal Dewitt-AL-1860-40 CU NGC
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (225.00 + 56.25BP) = 281.25
 
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Model 1888 Commission Rifle/ Gewehr 88 [129680]1551 - Model 1888 Commission Rifle/ Gewehr 88 [129680]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This is a Gewhr 88 rifle otherwise known as a Commission rifle made at the Amberg, Germany arsenal, S/N 8808 marked Amberg 1891 S, chambered for 7.92
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 800.00 - 1,000.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (650.00 + 162.50BP) = 812.50
 
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Buntline Holster and Grips from Tombstone, Arizona [140386]1552 - Buntline Holster and Grips from Tombstone, Arizona [140386]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This well used holster appears to have been made for a medium framed revolver with a Buntline length barrel. The holster is professionally made with a
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 800.00 - 1,600.00
Sold to s******7 for (425.00 + 93.50BP) = 518.50
 
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Vintage Leather Shot Pouches c.1850-1870 [142337]1553 - Vintage Leather Shot Pouches c.1850-1870 [142337]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This lot holds two leather shot pouches; one is marked American Flask and Cap Co. with a minor repair to the spout lever; functions properly. The seco
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to d*******f for (110.00 + 27.50BP) = 137.50
 
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Black Powder Shotgun Flask [142336]1554 - Black Powder Shotgun Flask [142336]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This is a vintage black powder flask. This would have been carried by a muzzle-loading shotgunner to charge each barrel with powder. C. 1850-1870...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to d******8 for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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20 Gauge Paper Shot Shells c. 1900-1940's.  [142342]1555 - 20 Gauge Paper Shot Shells c. 1900-1940's. [142342]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This lot reads like the history of the 20 gauge shotgun shell with three examples. There are three variations of the 20 gauge. Never as popular as the
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
 
 
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Musket Caps 4-wing Large [142335]1556 - Musket Caps 4-wing Large [142335]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
These Alcan musket caps are 4-wing large. Over 100+ caps in all. One compete tin unopened and sealed with two opened tins. Made in France. The large w
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
 
 
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English Natural Black Flints [142333]1557 - English Natural Black Flints [142333]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This lot contains over 60 English black module natural flints, 5/8 in. and 3/4 in. These flints are the best in the world; gray-black flint with chalk
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold to b********t.. for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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Lyman Bullet Molds [142334]1558 - Lyman Bullet Molds [142334]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This lot of three Lyman Ideal single cavity bullet molds are: .358 RB (.36 cal.rifle), .451 RB ( .45 cal. pistol), .575 RB (.58 cal. rifle). All molds
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold to d*******f for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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Gaming Chip Carousel from the Tombstone Museum [140830]1559 - Gaming Chip Carousel from the Tombstone Museum [140830]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This poker chip carousel is a Model 511 made by Drueke of Grand Rapids, Mi. 9.5 in. X 4 in. Complete with white, yellow, blue, and red chips; two dec
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to j******R for (100.00 + 25.00BP) = 125.00
 
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