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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Rare Alma, Colorado Assay Receipt [123629]2280 - Rare Alma, Colorado Assay Receipt [123629]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Boston & Colorado Smelting Company. Dateline Alma, Colo., Oct. 3rd, 1874. This receipt is for four ore samples ranging in weight from 2 to 8 to...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 120.00 - 150.00
Sold to x*****m for (65.00 + 16.25BP) = 81.25
 
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Hydraulic Mining at Alma, Colorado Stereoview [111909]2281 - Hydraulic Mining at Alma, Colorado Stereoview [111909]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Nice view of hydraulic mining at Alma, Colorado. Backstamped by Miller and Nutt, Portrait and Landscape Photographers, Alma, Colorado. Period pen pinp
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to x*****m for (100.00 + 25.00BP) = 125.00
 
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Rare Aspen, Colorado Assay Receipts [123615]2282 - Rare Aspen, Colorado Assay Receipts [123615]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 2. 1) Taylor & Brunton Sampling Works Company assay memorandum. Dateline Aspen, Colorado, Nov. 7, 1894. This piece has two important thin...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
 
 
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Boston and Colorado Smelting Company Assay Reports, Boulder [123574]2283 - Boston and Colorado Smelting Company Assay Reports, Boulder [123574]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 4 assay memorandums, 3 different styles, for the Boulder Agency of the Boston & Colorado & Smelting Co. Reports for mines are in Suns...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 600.00
 
 
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Report on the Blue Bird Mines, Boulder County, Colorado [126765]2284 - Report on the Blue Bird Mines, Boulder County, Colorado [126765]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
"Report of the Blue Bird Group of Mines and Mill, Boulder County, Colo." 1903. By A. J. Mitchell. Rebound. Original front cover is torn. 8...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to S****2 for (90.00 + 22.50BP) = 112.50
 
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Brownsville Mining Camp Stereoview [123607]2285 - Brownsville Mining Camp Stereoview [123607]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Stereoview by Underwood and Underwood. C. Bierstadt, Publisher. Sharp and contrast and clear photographs. Titled "Brownsville Mining Camp on th...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
 
 
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Central City from Black Hawk Cabinet Card, WH Jackson [123600]2286 - Central City from Black Hawk Cabinet Card, WH Jackson [123600]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Photograph by WH Jackson. Written in ink on reverse "Property of Miss Mary Mussina, PO Box, 67, Mt Gretua, Penna." and "9/5/1885.&quo...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 800.00
Sold to b****3 for (200.00 + 50.00BP) = 250.00
 
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Colorado Assay Office Assay for the Blue Ridge Lode, Colorado Territory [123630]2287 - Colorado Assay Office Assay for the Blue Ridge Lode, Colorado Territory [123630]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Dateline Central City, C.T., Dec. 20th, 1871. Number 292. Specimens of ore from the Blue Ridge Lode in the Downieville District. Gold value $586.42 an
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold to c*********p for (150.00 + 37.50BP) = 187.50
 
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Colorado Assay Office Receipt, Griffith Mining District [123618]2288 - Colorado Assay Office Receipt, Griffith Mining District [123618]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Colorado Assay Office. Dateline Central City, C.T., May 20, 1870. For the Dives Lode in the Griffith Mining District. Coin value $96.98 in silver. Sig
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold to c*********p for (150.00 + 37.50BP) = 187.50
 
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J. R. Reedy Assay Receipts, Central City, Colorado [123575]2289 - J. R. Reedy Assay Receipts, Central City, Colorado [123575]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 3. Reddy's assay office was established in 1875. 1) Dated September 10th, 1891 for a sample taken from the Estelle lode for the McF &...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 75.00 | Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
 
 
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Two Choice Central City Bird's-eye View Stereoviews [123611]2290 - Two Choice Central City Bird's-eye View Stereoviews [123611]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 2 different. 1) Reed & McKenney. Incredibly sharp overview of town. 3.25 x 7" 2) WG Chamberlain (label and description on back). Rea...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 300.00 | Estimate : 600.00 - 1,000.00
 
 
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Cripple Creek Mining Stereoviews [123609]2291 - Cripple Creek Mining Stereoviews [123609]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 2 different. 1) Underwood and Underwood. #10629. "Nightingale Mine, Bull Hill, Earth's richest gold field, Cripple Creek." Reve...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 75.00 | Estimate : 150.00 - 200.00
 
 
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Cripple Creek Assay Collection: Assays and Billheads [123622]2292 - Cripple Creek Assay Collection: Assays and Billheads [123622]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 7 1) Brodie Gold Reduction Company. For Wilson & Fryer. 1896. Gross value $293.16. 2) EC Woodward, assayer and chemist. Sold assay soluti...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 120.00 | Estimate : 240.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Cripple Creek Sampling and Ore Company Assays [123619]2293 - Cripple Creek Sampling and Ore Company Assays [123619]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of three. 1) 1897 results for the Colorado Springs M&L Co., Roy Gold Crater Mining Company. SP Duff was treasurer of the Pride of the Rockie...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Stratton Cripple Creek Mining & Development Co. Assay Office Document [123626]2294 - Stratton Cripple Creek Mining & Development Co. Assay Office Document [123626]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Rare. Four samples taken by this company on Oct. 1, 1902. Three on the Eagles and one on the Lincoln. Signed by HW Lamb, assayer. 6.25 x 7.5" ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
 
 
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Burlingame Assay Receipt Group, Denver [123572]2295 - Burlingame Assay Receipt Group, Denver [123572]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 4. EE Burlingame's office was located at 219 Sixteenth Street opposite the Inter Ocean hotel in Denver, CO. Burlingame was involved as on...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Colorado Gold Assay Group, Denver [126725]2296 - Colorado Gold Assay Group, Denver [126725]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of three. 1) Von Schulz & Low, Chemists and Assayers billhead. Analysis of Cyanide lot. 1910. To Goldfield Cons. Mines Co. 2) Very rare corn...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 120.00 | Estimate : 240.00 - 500.00
 
 
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Denver, Colorado Assay Collection [123638]2297 - Denver, Colorado Assay Collection [123638]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 11. 1) A particularly excellent business card for R. R. Waitz, fire assays, electro-lixiviation, chemical analysis, etc. 2) Omaha Grant and Sme
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 180.00 | Estimate : 360.00 - 600.00
 
 
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U. S. Mint, Denver, Mining Assay Documents [123628]2298 - U. S. Mint, Denver, Mining Assay Documents [123628]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 2 different. 1) United States Mint (Branch crossed out) form. Dateline Denver, Colorado, May 19, 1873. No. 131. For White Rock Lode, Gold Hill,
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 500.00 - 1,000.00
Sold to d*****4 for (300.00 + 75.00BP) = 375.00
 
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Von Schulz & Low Assay Collection [123637]2299 - Von Schulz & Low Assay Collection [123637]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 5. 1-2) 1887 assays. One for Hodges with five samples. Best had 0.20% gold and 0.24% silver. Company stamp. Second to Gregory Bowre. Five sampl
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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