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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Montana Mineral Survey Notes w/Hand Drawn Maps (6) [142683]2340 - Montana Mineral Survey Notes w/Hand Drawn Maps (6) [142683]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 6 packages of mining survey notes & maps for the following Montana districts: Meadow Creek and Wisconsin Creek. Several papers associa...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 120.00 - 200.00
Sold to S***6 for (170.00 + 42.50BP) = 212.50
 
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Montana Oil and Gas District Maps, 1952, 2 Sets [142997]2341 - Montana Oil and Gas District Maps, 1952, 2 Sets [142997]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Two sets, Map of Montana Showing Oil and Gas Fields and Test Wells for Oil and Gas, 1952, 41 x 47", 2 map set. 2 Sets. Date: Country (if not...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 250.00
Sold to s********o.. for (40.00 + 10.00BP) = 50.00
 
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Albion Mine, Eureka, Nevada Stereoview by Louis Monaco, 1870's [141432]2342 - Albion Mine, Eureka, Nevada Stereoview by Louis Monaco, 1870's [141432]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Backstamped by L. Monaco's Art Gallery, Eureka, Nevada. View shows the Albion Mine at Eureka, Nevada. Albion Mine is in white on the negative. S...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to c*********p for (100.00 + 25.00BP) = 125.00
 
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Wells Fargo Circular, 1866, Robberies by Agents Buying Mining Stocks! [142885]2343 - Wells Fargo Circular, 1866, Robberies by Agents Buying Mining Stocks! [142885]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Very rare handbill by Wells Fargo extolling the theft of Wells Fargo monies used by several WF agents to gamble on mining stocks. Louis McLane, the he
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 2,000.00 - 4,000.00
Sold to E********s for (2,700.00 + 594.00BP) = 3,294.00
 
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"Virginia City- General View from the East", Houseworth Stereoview [111910]2344 - "Virginia City- General View from the East", Houseworth Stereoview [111910]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Nice stereoview by Thomas Houseworth, #703. Birdseye view of Virginia City, Nevada from the 1860's. View is very clear in both images. Mount has...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to 8***1 for (450.00 + 99.00BP) = 549.00
 
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Annual Reports for the State Of New Jersey State Geologist 1906-1908 [140384]2345 - Annual Reports for the State Of New Jersey State Geologist 1906-1908 [140384]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This lot contains three volumes of geologic reports for the state of New Jersey for years 1906-1908. Three hard cover books, conditions are very good;
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold to 8***1 for (75.00 + 16.50BP) = 91.50
 
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Eimer & Amend Chemicals, Chemical Apparatus, and Assay Materials Catalog [126731]2346 - Eimer & Amend Chemicals, Chemical Apparatus, and Assay Materials Catalog [126731]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
"Importers and Manufacturers of Chemical Apparatus and Assay Materials." Located at 205, 207, 902, & 211 Third Avenue, New York. 36 pa...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Jim Crow Mining Company Letterheads (Oregon Mining) [136317]2347 - Jim Crow Mining Company Letterheads (Oregon Mining) [136317]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Three letterheads from the Jim Crow Mining Company / Cheney Building / Reno, Nevada. In the upper corners are: Ben Harrison Mine / Grant County, Orego
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to 6*******d for (35.00 + 7.70BP) = 42.70
 
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American Mining Congress Delegate Badge, South Dakota [142289]2348 - American Mining Congress Delegate Badge, South Dakota [142289]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Extremely rare brass delegate badge made by Whitehead & Hoag. 47 mm x 76 mm. "Delegate / American Mining Congress / 1903 / Deadwood and Lea...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to 6*******d for (120.00 + 26.40BP) = 146.40
 
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Homestake Gold Mine Stereoview- Lead, South Dakota, Cross Photo [111903]2349 - Homestake Gold Mine Stereoview- Lead, South Dakota, Cross Photo [111903]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Nice stereoview photo by Cross, Hot Springs, S.D. #20, "Homestake Gold Mine, Lead, S.D.". The Homestake mine dominated the Dakota Territor...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to c*********p for (100.00 + 25.00BP) = 125.00
 
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West Virginia Aluminum Ingot [142282]2350 - West Virginia Aluminum Ingot [142282]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Rare aluminum ingot; stamped "First Aluminum Produced In / Ohio Valley / Kaiser - Ravenswood. Size: 7 1/2 x 1 1/2 inches; 1 1/2 inches tall. O...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 200.00
Sold to 6*******d for (85.00 + 18.70BP) = 103.70
 
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Minister of Mines Annual Report British Columbia  [140387]2351 - Minister of Mines Annual Report British Columbia [140387]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This lot contains three annual reports of mining activities for British Columbia, 1908, 1909,and 1914. Gold and coal mainly reported. These copies are
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
 
 
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Dawson, Yukon & Other British Columbia Mining Postcards [134389]2352 - Dawson, Yukon & Other British Columbia Mining Postcards [134389]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 19. Five RPPC. Includes: Sluicing at Oro Fino Bench; multiple of hydraulic mining at Atlin; primitive gold washing at Fraser River; hydraulic m
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 120.00 - 240.00
Sold to 8***1 for (130.00 + 28.60BP) = 158.60
 
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Mining Gold from British Columbia to Mexico in Photos [140389]2353 - Mining Gold from British Columbia to Mexico in Photos [140389]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This lot contains three photos depicting the mining processes: "Washing gold" in Vancouver, British Columbia, the backside of the matted p...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Highest and Lowest Quotations of Gold for 1862-1870 [143019]2354 - Highest and Lowest Quotations of Gold for 1862-1870 [143019]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Highest and Lowest Quotations of Gold for 1862, 1863, 1864, 1865, 1866, 1867, 1868, 1869, 1870. Published by The Philadelphia Inquirer (1870). Unpagin
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 200.00 | Estimate : 400.00 - 800.00
 
 
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Production of Gold and Silver in the United States by Preston, 1895 [126860]2355 - Production of Gold and Silver in the United States by Preston, 1895 [126860]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Not only talks about gold and silver production in the United states, but in the world. Statistics of each state by county. Nice section on mining in
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 120.00 | Estimate : 240.00 - 350.00
 
 
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Copper Handbook Volume X, 1910- Great Stock Certificate Reference [141403]2356 - Copper Handbook Volume X, 1910- Great Stock Certificate Reference [141403]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
The Copper Handbook, A Manual of the Copper Industry of the World. The tenth edition of this classic mining reference book. A nice tight copy Hard cov
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Mines & Copper Handbook -1916, Great Mining Stock Reference [141404]2357 - Mines & Copper Handbook -1916, Great Mining Stock Reference [141404]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This volume XII is very rare and is a quite valuable reference. The 1916 edition opens up the mines listed to all the metals including Gold, Silver an
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to 6*******d for (150.00 + 33.00BP) = 183.00
 
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Ultrasonic Vibrating Cleaner & Ultraviolet Lamp (2) [140122]2358 - Ultrasonic Vibrating Cleaner & Ultraviolet Lamp (2) [140122]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 2. Branson B-220 ultrasonic vibrating cleaner, used. Also Mineralight Model UVGL-55 UV lamp for detecting ultraviolet minerals -- or detecti
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 160.00 - 200.00
Sold to f*****y for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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Underground Trammer Sign for Mining Ore Cars [140142]2359 - Underground Trammer Sign for Mining Ore Cars [140142]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of over 30 cardboard printed cards (4 x 7 inches) for underground ore cars. "Copper Ore From Speculator "(10); "2nd Class Granite...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
Sold to d*******f for (60.00 + 15.00BP) = 75.00
 
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