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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Harvard Classics, Collier, 1910 [142999]2220 - Harvard Classics, Collier, 1910 [142999]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A complete set of Harvard Classics published by Collier in 1909-1910, excellent condition, no bookplates or x library. 50 volume set, about three cub
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Children's Books (4) [142260]2221 - Children's Books (4) [142260]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 4. Children's books. All hardbound. Includes (A) Honey Bunch: Just A Little Girl, by Helen Louise Thorndyke, 1923, Grosset & Dunlap...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
 
 
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Peter Rabbit Children's Books, Rare (2) [142261]2222 - Peter Rabbit Children's Books, Rare (2) [142261]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 2. Small hardbound Peter Rabbit books for children. Rare. Both 4 1/8" x 5 3/8". (A) All About Peter Rabbit, by Beatrix Potter,...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to d*******f for (80.00 + 20.00BP) = 100.00
 
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Early Cookbook Library (4) [142259]2223 - Early Cookbook Library (4) [142259]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 3 hardbound & 1 spiral bound US cookbooks. Most unique is The White House Cookbook, published 1925 during the Calvin Coolidge Presidenc...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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Mastering the Art of French Cooking; 1st Ed/2nd Print (1) [142263]2224 - Mastering the Art of French Cooking; 1st Ed/2nd Print (1) [142263]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 1. Hardbound book titled Mastering the Art of French Cooking. By Simone Beck, Louisette Bertholle and Julia Child. Drawings by Sidonie Coryn
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 400.00 | Estimate : 800.00 - 1,000.00
 
 
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Life and Work of James A. Garfield Antiquarian Book [140133]2225 - Life and Work of James A. Garfield Antiquarian Book [140133]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Hardbound antiquarian book titled Life and Work of James A. Garfield. By John Clark Ridpath, LL.D. Published by Jones Brothers and Company, Cincinna
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to L*****n for (40.00 + 10.00BP) = 50.00
 
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Lot Withdrawn2226 - Lot Withdrawn
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot Withdrawn
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 60.00 | Estimate : 120.00 - 250.00
 
 
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Scribner's Lumber & Log Book, 1888 [143040]2227 - Scribner's Lumber & Log Book, 1888 [143040]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Scribner's Lumber & log Book, Geo. W. Fisher, Rochester, NY, 1888. 3.25 x 4.75", 158pp plus one page of ads in the back. The book is d...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to b***p for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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McGraw -Hill Encyclopedia of Science & Technology (20) [142680]2228 - McGraw -Hill Encyclopedia of Science & Technology (20) [142680]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of all 20 volumes of McGraw-Hill's Encyclopedia of Science & Technology. Eleventh Edition, 2012. All books hardbound, cover sizes 8 3/...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 250.00 | Estimate : 500.00 - 800.00
 
 
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America's Battle for Cuba's Freedom a Book by Quesada and Northrop 1898 [142310]2229 - America's Battle for Cuba's Freedom a Book by Quesada and Northrop 1898 [142310]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This first printing of the book "America's Battle for Cuba's Freedom" was written by Gonzalo de Quesada and Henry Davenport Northr...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to v*********q for (140.00 + 35.00BP) = 175.00
 
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Gold Ingot Postcards [123755]2230 - Gold Ingot Postcards [123755]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
All color. 1) One and one half tons of gold from Alaska. Stacked as high as a man. 2) Weighing gold bricks, Homestake Mine, Led, South Dakota. 3) Top
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to 8***1 for (100.00 + 22.00BP) = 122.00
 
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Brunckow Mine Stereo View [127765]2231 - Brunckow Mine Stereo View [127765]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
One in a series of Arizona scenic stereo views from Charles Farciot of San Francisco. This one shows an adobe at the first mine in the Tombstone area
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold to 8***0 for (425.00 + 106.25BP) = 531.25
 
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Farciot Tombstone Stereo View of Miner Ed Schieffelin [127753]2232 - Farciot Tombstone Stereo View of Miner Ed Schieffelin [127753]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A beautiful clear stereo view taken by Charles O. Farciot for Edouart & Cobb of San Francisco. This photo is labeled Ed Schieffelin. Schieffelin...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 500.00 - 1,000.00
Sold to d***9 for (2,500.00 + 625.00BP) = 3,125.00
 
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Tombstone Mill Office Stereo View [127763]2233 - Tombstone Mill Office Stereo View [127763]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
One in a series of Arizona scenic stereo views from Charles Farciot of San Francisco. This one shows the office for the Tombstone Mill in the Arizona
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 600.00
Sold to 8***0 for (325.00 + 81.25BP) = 406.25
 
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L.M. Jacobs & Co. Check Signed By W.T. Rickard and W.F. Witherell [123732]2234 - L.M. Jacobs & Co. Check Signed By W.T. Rickard and W.F. Witherell [123732]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
LM Jacobs & Co. check issued to WT Rickard and signed by financial investor W. F. (Frank) Witherell on Nov. 21st, 1878. Black print on creme pap...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to g******n for (100.00 + 25.00BP) = 125.00
 
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Apache Gold Mine Dies [140821]2235 - Apache Gold Mine Dies [140821]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This lot of two dies identifies the Apache Gold Mine in Arizona. Please see photo for details. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Arizona City:
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to d*******f for (275.00 + 68.75BP) = 343.75
 
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Gold Rush Contract between Aurora Gold & Silver Mining Co. and Bay State Quartz Mill, c1857 [123751]2236 - Gold Rush Contract between Aurora Gold & Silver Mining Co. and Bay State Quartz Mill, c1857 [123751]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Mines located at American Bar, Middle Fork of the American River, Placer County, CA around Oct. 20th 1857. Breakout of charges for refining ore at 10
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 200.00 | Estimate : 400.00 - 1,000.00
 
 
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Assay Related Letters, Angels Camp, California [126758]2237 - Assay Related Letters, Angels Camp, California [126758]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1) 1886, Letter from H. Whirlow to Joe. "I would like to send the gold to you. have you take it to the mint and send back by W. F. & Co.&qu...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold to S*****8 for (150.00 + 33.00BP) = 183.00
 
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Angels Camp, California Mining Postcards (19) [134331]2238 - Angels Camp, California Mining Postcards (19) [134331]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 19. Rare group. Includes 4 RPPC. Rare card showing an underground view in the Lightner Mine. Other cards have views of: Gold Cliff Mill, Stickl
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to S*****8 for (250.00 + 55.00BP) = 305.00
 
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Thomas Houseworth Stereoview - Hydraulic Mining #1403 Birchville, Nevada County2239 - Thomas Houseworth Stereoview - Hydraulic Mining #1403 Birchville, Nevada County
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Birchville is a historic mining and agricultural community in Nevada County, California. Birchville is located about 10 miles northwest of Nevada City
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold to 2*****s for (200.00 + 44.00BP) = 244.00
 
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