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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James King of William Exchange, issued and signed, 1853 [142887]2260 - James King of William Exchange, issued and signed, 1853 [142887]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Extremely rare, and possibly unique, fully issued James king of William Second of Exchange, June 15, 1853 payable to K.P. Smith via J. W. Clark, Bost
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 2,000.00 - 4,000.00
Sold to R******r for (1,500.00 + 375.00BP) = 1,875.00
 
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LOT WITHDRAWN [2261]2261 - LOT WITHDRAWN [2261]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance:
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 0.00
 
 
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R. J. Kohler's Reduction and Refining Works Broadside San Francisco [126746]2262 - R. J. Kohler's Reduction and Refining Works Broadside San Francisco [126746]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Established in 1874 at Damon's Landing, on the San Leandro Creek, at an outlay of about one hundred thousand dollars. The broadside advertises t...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
 
 
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Nevada Mines on Weekly Stock Circular By the San Francisco Stock and Exchange Board  [12372263 - Nevada Mines on Weekly Stock Circular By the San Francisco Stock and Exchange Board [1237
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This is a stock collector's dream. All this information on one page!!! An early publication of the San Francisco Stock and Exchange Board just a...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold to 2*****l for (150.00 + 33.00BP) = 183.00
 
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Wells Fargo & Co. Annual Statement of Precious Metals, 1877 [126736]2264 - Wells Fargo & Co. Annual Statement of Precious Metals, 1877 [126736]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
In 40 years, we have never seen this before! This four page annual report dated December 31, 1877 (San Francisco) shows the gold and silver produced i
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 800.00
Sold to j*****0 for (225.00 + 49.50BP) = 274.50
 
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1876 cover, letter, gold dust receipt and envelopes [126735]2265 - 1876 cover, letter, gold dust receipt and envelopes [126735]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1) 1876 letterhead from Kruse & Euler in San Francisco. 209 & 211 Front Street. To Frank Litsch of Shasta. "The package of gold dust st...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 75.00 | Estimate : 150.00 - 200.00
 
 
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Postcards Showing Shasta County Mining and Smelters (4) [141375]2266 - Postcards Showing Shasta County Mining and Smelters (4) [141375]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Four mining related postcards of Shasta County mining. One shows the Keswick Smelter. A second shows the Great Western Smelter near Redding. Third car
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (80.00 + 20.00BP) = 100.00
 
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Smartsville Flume, Yuba County- a Houseworth Stereoview [123694]2267 - Smartsville Flume, Yuba County- a Houseworth Stereoview [123694]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
The water flume would have been to provide water for elevated gravels. Smartsville is near Timbuctoo and just south of the Yuba River. During the Cali
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 200.00 | Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
 
 
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Mains & Shippy Stereoview - Scenes in California - Blue Gravel Mine at Sucker Flat [123699]2268 - Mains & Shippy Stereoview - Scenes in California - Blue Gravel Mine at Sucker Flat [123699]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1871. Yuba County. This stereoview shows the Blue Lead (lowest, richest of the 7 gravel units as defined by Whitney. It was taken after a major robber
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 250.00 | Estimate : 500.00 - 1,500.00
 
 
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Timbuctoo Hydraulic Mining Activity Stereoviews [123704]2269 - Timbuctoo Hydraulic Mining Activity Stereoviews [123704]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1) Lawrence & Houseworth. Established 1855. Lawrence & Houseworth & Co. #798 California series - Timbuctoo Diggings, Yuba County –...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 500.00 - 800.00
Sold to p******1 for (250.00 + 62.50BP) = 312.50
 
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SS Central America Cal Gold Rush Nugget (0.85 grams) [141512]2270 - SS Central America Cal Gold Rush Nugget (0.85 grams) [141512]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
California Gold Rush Nugget from the wreck of the SS Central America. Authenticated and encapsulated in NGC Holder #2104565-332. The SS Central Americ
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 600.00
Sold to j*****0 for (550.00 + 121.00BP) = 671.00
 
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SS Central America Cal Gold Rush Nugget (0.69 grams) [141511]2271 - SS Central America Cal Gold Rush Nugget (0.69 grams) [141511]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
California Gold Rush Nugget from the wreck of the SS Central America. Authenticated and encapsulated in NGC Holder #2102101-081. The SS Central Americ
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 600.00
Sold to C*****r for (500.00 + 110.00BP) = 610.00
 
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California Hydraulic Mining Real Photo Postcards (7) [134364]2272 - California Hydraulic Mining Real Photo Postcards (7) [134364]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 7 different; six are real photo postcards. 1) RPPC. Mining at Gold Run, California showing hydraulic operation with miners posing. Mailed 1909.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to b*******n for (110.00 + 27.50BP) = 137.50
 
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Rocky Bar Mining Company, California 1850 Pamphlet [142894]2273 - Rocky Bar Mining Company, California 1850 Pamphlet [142894]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Rocky Bar Mining Company, California; Circular, Articles of Association, resolutions, etc., 1850.Big Bar, along the middle fork of the American River
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 2,400.00 - 3,000.00
Sold to a********b.. for (1,200.00 + 300.00BP) = 1,500.00
 
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Houseworth Stereoview of a Classic Multi-Stage Long Tom [123692]2274 - Houseworth Stereoview of a Classic Multi-Stage Long Tom [123692]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
The long tom is a small sluice that uses less water than a regular sluice. It consists of a sloping trough 12 feet long, 15 to 20 inches wide at the u
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
 
 
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Long Toms used in Hydraulic Mining Stereoviews [123700]2275 - Long Toms used in Hydraulic Mining Stereoviews [123700]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Choice! 1) Lawrence & Houseworth. Yellow. c1864. Shows a multi-hundred feet long tom in a deep channel which was cut into gravel. There is a bri...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 500.00 - 700.00
Sold to p******1 for (300.00 + 75.00BP) = 375.00
 
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Lawrence & Houseworth Stereoview - Washing Down the Banks [123702]2276 - Lawrence & Houseworth Stereoview - Washing Down the Banks [123702]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This view shows hydraulic mining c1864. Three monitors, one hidden, are washing the banks to loosed the gravel. Shows a hand riveted pipe in the foreg
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 450.00
Sold to 2*****s for (275.00 + 60.50BP) = 335.50
 
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Placer Mining Photographs and Postcard [123756]2277 - Placer Mining Photographs and Postcard [123756]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1) Small hydraulic cut. Two miners observe the monitor. Looks like foothill belt. Gravel & Schist of slate. Photograph is 4 x5". 2) Large b...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to j*****0 for (120.00 + 26.40BP) = 146.40
 
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Hydraulic Mining Debris in the Sierra Nevada Mountains (Book) [123683]2278 - Hydraulic Mining Debris in the Sierra Nevada Mountains (Book) [123683]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
By Grove Karl Gilbert. Fold out maps, photographs, and diagrams throughout. This book has pencil notes in margins throughout from previous wonder. No
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to b*******n for (45.00 + 11.25BP) = 56.25
 
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Mother Lode Region Caricature Map [143011]2279 - Mother Lode Region Caricature Map [143011]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Wonderful caricature map of the Mother Lode region by the Creative Lithograph Co. of Oakland, 1946-1993. This company was best known for the printing
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 800.00
Sold to C*****r for (180.00 + 39.60BP) = 219.60
 
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