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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Marysville & Oroville Pioneer and No Split Back Postcard Collection [130721]1160 - Marysville & Oroville Pioneer and No Split Back Postcard Collection [130721]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of seventeen: 1 Pioneer card and 16 No Split Back cards. Includes Court House Square, Odd Fellow home, Ellis Lake, Russell & Son, partially ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
 
 
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Marysville, California RPC Collection [130727]1161 - Marysville, California RPC Collection [130727]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 20. Includes Feather Falls Mill (Oroville), Hotel Marysville, street scene of business section, swimming pool, lake, post office, theater, scho
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to j*****0 for (40.00 + 8.80BP) = 48.80
 
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Marysville, Chico, Oroville Amber Postcard Collection [130723]1162 - Marysville, Chico, Oroville Amber Postcard Collection [130723]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 32. Includes street scenes, railroad bridges, buildings, nature, etc. Date: Country (if not USA): State: California City: Marysvill
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold to j*******h for (30.00 + 7.50BP) = 37.50
 
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Marysville, Chico, Oroville Framed Postcard Collection [130724]1163 - Marysville, Chico, Oroville Framed Postcard Collection [130724]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Over 30 cards from think power plant card to odd Fellows, to railroad bridges, to schools, to Notre Dame College, to nature, to Service Pharmacy, to c
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold to j*****0 for (35.00 + 7.70BP) = 42.70
 
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Mendocino Choice RPC (4) [141334]1164 - Mendocino Choice RPC (4) [141334]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Four Mendocino, California postcards. Includes one from Wells Fargo & Co. Bank dated 1889. Contains three real photo postcards, including one of...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 120.00 - 200.00
Sold to d*******f for (60.00 + 15.00BP) = 75.00
 
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Mendocino Coast & Misc. Postcards (16) [141335]1165 - Mendocino Coast & Misc. Postcards (16) [141335]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Sixteen vintage postcards of Mendocino coast and miscellaneous in Mendocino, California. Includes a real photo card of the Clubhouse at "Log Ca...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to d*******f for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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Harbin Springs, Middletown, CA Postcards (37) [141280]1166 - Harbin Springs, Middletown, CA Postcards (37) [141280]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A grouping of thirty-seven postcards of Harbin Springs in Middletown, California. Harbin Hot Springs is in Lake County, Northern California. These spr
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
Sold to p********6 for (60.00 + 15.00BP) = 75.00
 
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Middletown, Lake County, CA Postcards (21) [141282]1167 - Middletown, Lake County, CA Postcards (21) [141282]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Twenty-one postcards of Middletown, California located in Lake County, which enjoyed a robust mercury mining industry through the end of the 19th cent
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to p********6 for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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Middletown, Lake County, Cal Postcards Includes 2 Rare Real Photos  [141325]1168 - Middletown, Lake County, Cal Postcards Includes 2 Rare Real Photos [141325]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Nice set of postcards from Middletown, Lake County, California. One view is a real photo card called "Entering MIddletown", next there is...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 130.00 - 200.00
Sold to p********6 for (30.00 + 7.50BP) = 37.50
 
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Monte Rio Real Photo Postcard Collection [142007]1169 - Monte Rio Real Photo Postcard Collection [142007]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of over 25 real photo postcards of the Russian River town of Monte Rio. One color, the rest black and white. Bohemian Grove, Catholic Church, bea
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to d*******f for (55.00 + 13.75BP) = 68.75
 
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Monte Rio Vintage Postcard Collection [142010]1170 - Monte Rio Vintage Postcard Collection [142010]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of over 30 historic lithograph postcards of the Russian River town of Monte Rio. Date: Country (if not USA): State: California City: Monte
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to j*******h for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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Monte Rio, Cal Beach View Postcards (15) [128899]1171 - Monte Rio, Cal Beach View Postcards (15) [128899]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Views include Sandy Beach, Little Sandy Beach Resort, the River View Hotel and beach scenes at Rio Nido. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Cal
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to d*******f for (20.00 + 5.00BP) = 25.00
 
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Monte Rio, Cal Folding Postcards (2) [141365]1172 - Monte Rio, Cal Folding Postcards (2) [141365]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Two copies of a three part panoramic folding postcard, circa 1907. Titled, "Panorama of Russian River and Montrio, Cal." Shows a wide view...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
 
 
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Monte Rio, Cal Real Photo Postcard Group (7) [141363]1173 - Monte Rio, Cal Real Photo Postcard Group (7) [141363]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Seven real photo cards of Monte Rio, California taken by McClarie and Pelton, photographers. Circa 1908-1915. Views of the River View Hotel and Sandy
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
Sold to D****7 for (30.00 + 7.50BP) = 37.50
 
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Monte Rio, Cal Real Photo Postcards (16) [141362]1174 - Monte Rio, Cal Real Photo Postcards (16) [141362]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Sixteen nice real photo postcards of Monte Rio taken by two area photographers, Lowry and Rhea. Montrio Park, Cascade Falls, Hotel Glen Rita, the Sand
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Rhea & Lowry, Monte Rio Real Photo Postcard Collection [142008]1175 - Rhea & Lowry, Monte Rio Real Photo Postcard Collection [142008]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 12 vintage black and white real photo postcards of the Russian River town of Monte Rio, produced by Rhea and Lowry Photos. Beach scenes, Saint
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 500.00
Sold to m********s.. for (45.00 + 11.25BP) = 56.25
 
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Montrose Flood of 1934 Real Photo Postcards (18) [141271]1176 - Montrose Flood of 1934 Real Photo Postcards (18) [141271]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Eighteen real photo postcards of the Montrose Flood on January 1, 1934. Unfortunately, thirty-one perished, three thousand homes were damaged, and fif
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to j*******h for (100.00 + 25.00BP) = 125.00
 
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Mount Lassen National Park Postcard Collection (55) [134307]1177 - Mount Lassen National Park Postcard Collection (55) [134307]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 55 postcards, including 47 RPPC (mostly white border) of Mt. Lassen and Lassen Volcanic National Park. Other cards include 4 hand-colored. Most
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Mt. Lassen Boiling Pots & Fumaroles Postcard Collection (26) [142549]1178 - Mt. Lassen Boiling Pots & Fumaroles Postcard Collection (26) [142549]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 26 postcards depicting fumaroles and boiling pots on Mt. Lassen (CA) following its last eruption in 1921. Majority are white border RPCs ident
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 80.00 | Estimate : 160.00 - 250.00
 
 
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Mt. Lassen Explosion RPC Postcard Collection (28) [142548]1179 - Mt. Lassen Explosion RPC Postcard Collection (28) [142548]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 28 RPCs depicting Mt. Lassen eruptions dated 1914 - 1915 (during 1914 - 1917 series of eruptions, last eruption 1921). Collection includes sev
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 1,000.00
Sold to f*****E for (100.00 + 0.00BP) = 100.00
 
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