AUCTION  / 

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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Cold Brook Camp above Azusa in San Gabriel Mts. Postcards-Rare (19) [111992]1020 - Cold Brook Camp above Azusa in San Gabriel Mts. Postcards-Rare (19) [111992]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Rare group of photo postcards of Cold Brook Camp in the San Gabriel Mountains above Los Angeles area. Some of these cards date to 1911. Most are posta
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 75.00 | Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
 
 
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Benbow, California Real Photo Postcard Collection [134382]1021 - Benbow, California Real Photo Postcard Collection [134382]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 25. Most are real photo. A nice Benbow collection with some duplicates. Views include: Hotel Benbow interior and exteriors; Benbow Bridge; Eel
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
Sold to f*****E for (40.00 + 0.00BP) = 40.00
 
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Biggs, California Postcard Collection (40) [134323]1022 - Biggs, California Postcard Collection (40) [134323]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 40. Includes 18 RPPC, 21 early printed (divided back), and 1 leather postcard (1907 Christmas). Views of school houses, churches, Carnegie Libr
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to j*******h for (60.00 + 15.00BP) = 75.00
 
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Feather River Inn at Blairsden, Plumas County Postcard Collection [130733]1023 - Feather River Inn at Blairsden, Plumas County Postcard Collection [130733]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 23. Plenty of RPCs. All Feather River Inn. Camp along the boardwalk, inside view, gold course, outside view, etc. One very nice hand colored wi
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
Sold to r***6 for (55.00 + 12.10BP) = 67.10
 
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Blairsden, Plumas County, Advertising Promo Postcard [130731]1024 - Blairsden, Plumas County, Advertising Promo Postcard [130731]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Extremely Rare! For Gold Lake Beach Camp. This is completely gone now! Elevation 6,000 feet. The Beauty Spot of the High Sierra. $20 to $22.50 a week
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold to r***6 for (40.00 + 8.80BP) = 48.80
 
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Feather River Postcard and Advertising Promos [130732]1025 - Feather River Postcard and Advertising Promos [130732]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Four postcards: Del Norte Chalet, Teacher River Camp, Riverside Hotel, Mohawk Tavern. Three Advertising promo Cards: Mohawk Tavern, Feather River Park
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 120.00 - 200.00
Sold to s********o.. for (70.00 + 17.50BP) = 87.50
 
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Feather River Scenic Postcard Collection [130734]1026 - Feather River Scenic Postcard Collection [130734]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 35. 20 RPCs. Great RPC of horses traveling on horseshoes. Includes bridges, fishing, las Plumas Power Station, Big Bar, CWP Speedwell Trucks, w
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
Sold to a********o for (60.00 + 15.00BP) = 75.00
 
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Blue Lake, California Fire Real Photo Postcard [134336]1027 - Blue Lake, California Fire Real Photo Postcard [134336]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Rare RPPC showing people watching a building engulfed in flames. Photo by Seely Bros., Arcata, Cal. Labelled "Blue Lake Fire Dec. 5th 1911.&quo...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to d*******f for (35.00 + 8.75BP) = 43.75
 
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Rare Bodie Real Photo Postcards and Photographs [123535]1028 - Rare Bodie Real Photo Postcards and Photographs [123535]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 6. 1) Four postcards. All Frasher. All RPCs: a) View of town and mines. "The Historic Old Mining Town of Bodie, Mono County, Calif."...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to b*******n for (60.00 + 15.00BP) = 75.00
 
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Boyes Hot Springs, California Postcard Collection (50) [134357]1029 - Boyes Hot Springs, California Postcard Collection (50) [134357]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 50. A great collection with early historical views of the springs and hotel. Includes 16 real photo postcards with a few shot in the studio at
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 500.00
Sold to n*****6 for (75.00 + 18.75BP) = 93.75
 
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Boyes Hot Springs, California Postcards: Baths [134359]1030 - Boyes Hot Springs, California Postcards: Baths [134359]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 16 postcards of the baths at the historic Boyes Hot Springs resort in Sonoma County. Includes 10 real photo postcards, one of which has been pa
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold to j*******h for (30.00 + 7.50BP) = 37.50
 
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Boyes Hot Springs, California Postcards: Carnivals & Gatherings [134358]1031 - Boyes Hot Springs, California Postcards: Carnivals & Gatherings [134358]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 6 postcards of carnivals and gatherings at the historic Sonoma County resort. Includes 2 real photo and 4 printed photo cards. RPPCs include: H
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to D****7 for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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Boyes Hot Springs, California Postcards: Town Views [134360]1032 - Boyes Hot Springs, California Postcards: Town Views [134360]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 25 postcards of Boyes, CA and the Sonoma Mission Inn (the later hotel at Boyes Hot Springs). Includes 20 real photo postcards: three town views
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold to d*******f for (40.00 + 10.00BP) = 50.00
 
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Calaveras Big Trees Postcard Group (19) [134305]1033 - Calaveras Big Trees Postcard Group (19) [134305]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 19. Includes 6 RPPC: Pioneer's Cabin, General Sherman Tree, and Big Trees Hotel. Other cards are printed cards (divided back) with views ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to L******8 for (150.00 + 37.50BP) = 187.50
 
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Calistoga & Lake County Stage Coach Postcards (13) [141313]1034 - Calistoga & Lake County Stage Coach Postcards (13) [141313]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A couple of these postcards are real photo cards and three are amber views. The rest are color cards. These are all rare. How often do you come across
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 200.00
Sold to h**********5 for (70.00 + 15.40BP) = 85.40
 
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Calistoga Old Mill Postcards (39) [141288]1035 - Calistoga Old Mill Postcards (39) [141288]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Thirty-nine postcards prominently feature the Calistoga Old Mill in Napa County, California. Contains four nice real photo cards of the Old Bale Mill
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to d*******f for (60.00 + 15.00BP) = 75.00
 
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Calistoga Petrified Wood Forest Park Postcards (39) [141332]1036 - Calistoga Petrified Wood Forest Park Postcards (39) [141332]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Thirty-nine vintage postcards of the Calistoga Petrified Wood Forest near Calistoga, California. Includes ten postcards of Old Faithful Geyser of Cali
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to d*******f for (60.00 + 15.00BP) = 75.00
 
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Calistoga Springs, Mineral and Hot Baths Postcards (22) [141285]1037 - Calistoga Springs, Mineral and Hot Baths Postcards (22) [141285]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Twenty-two postcards of Calistoga Hot Springs in Calistoga, California. Contains entrance photo postcards with a sign stating "Calistoga Hot Sp...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to j*******h for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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Calistoga, Cal Street Scenes & Birdseye Postcards (20) [141312]1038 - Calistoga, Cal Street Scenes & Birdseye Postcards (20) [141312]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Fifteen street scenes and five birds-eye view postcards in Calistoga. Most of the street scenes are of different views and angles on Lincoln Avenue. A
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to d*******f for (35.00 + 8.75BP) = 43.75
 
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Calistoga, Cal. Bird's-eye View Photo Postcards (11) [141328]1039 - Calistoga, Cal. Bird's-eye View Photo Postcards (11) [141328]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Nice collection of birds-eye views of Calistoga. Includes a few real photo cards. Some early date cards from 1907 and 1908. One shows a geyser and a c
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to n*****6 for (55.00 + 13.75BP) = 68.75
 
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