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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Vintage Miner's Candlestick [136320]2360 - Vintage Miner's Candlestick [136320]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Unusual design for a miners candlestick. Four nuts holding the candle holder to the base. 8 inches long and 3 inches wide. Rustic. Date: Country (
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
Sold to 8***1 for (300.00 + 66.00BP) = 366.00
 
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Engineered Modern "High Tech" Dowsing Device [117074]2361 - Engineered Modern "High Tech" Dowsing Device [117074]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Interesting modern dowsing device design and built by an engineer, complete with approximate 2pp manual of operational instructions. Called a "...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 250.00 | Estimate : 500.00 - 700.00
 
 
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Miner's Baskets (2) [140126]2362 - Miner's Baskets (2) [140126]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 2. Metal miner's baskets used to carry work/personal items. Includes hooks for hanging the baskets. Basket dimensions: 12" x 12&q...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold to d****9 for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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Sample Antique Mineral Splitter (1) [140120]2363 - Sample Antique Mineral Splitter (1) [140120]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Sample of a small piece of mining equipment used to trim mineral specimens to enhance their appearance. Mounted on a wooden trimmer board. No date o
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 160.00 - 200.00
Sold to S*****8 for (80.00 + 17.60BP) = 97.60
 
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Alabama Copper Mining Company Stock, 1855 [130641]2364 - Alabama Copper Mining Company Stock, 1855 [130641]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Early Alabama mining certificate! # 14 for 4800 shares to bearer. We haven't seen a bearer certificate in over 10 years! Finders Keepers. Signed...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 250.00 | Estimate : 500.00 - 1,000.00
 
 
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Bohemia Silver Mining Company Stock, 1879 [130629]2365 - Bohemia Silver Mining Company Stock, 1879 [130629]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
#56007 for 63,000 shares to Phillips and Ruggles on October 23, 1879.Located at "Globe Mining District, Maricopa County, Arizona Territory.&quo...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 200.00 | Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
 
 
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Copper Emperor Mining Company Stock, 1883 [130657]2366 - Copper Emperor Mining Company Stock, 1883 [130657]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
#71 for 200 shares to George Menck. Signed by secretary Douglas and president Weber(?). Underground mining vignette with miners and ore cart. Under pr
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 75.00 | Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
 
 
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Arizona Copper Mining Company Stock, 1886 [130645]2367 - Arizona Copper Mining Company Stock, 1886 [130645]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
# 70 for 100 shares to RK McGrath in 1886. Signed by secretary Schnake and president Klein. Vignette of two mills on a valley river. Also two small mi
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 400.00
 
 
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LOT WITHDRAWN [2368]2368 - LOT WITHDRAWN [2368]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance:
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 0.00
 
 
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Total Wreck Mining and Milling Company Stock 1881 [130637]2369 - Total Wreck Mining and Milling Company Stock 1881 [130637]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
The name of the Total Wreck mine is rooted in the origins of the mine's original founders. It is believed that one founder, J.T. Dillon, remarke...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold to 8***0 for (200.00 + 50.00BP) = 250.00
 
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Girard Gold and Silver Mining Company Stock,  1883 [130660]2370 - Girard Gold and Silver Mining Company Stock, 1883 [130660]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
# 4139 for 100 shares to J Bell Austin in 1883. Incorporated June 1879. Location Pima County, Arizona Territory. Large vignette of well-known American
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
Sold to S******1 for (200.00 + 50.00BP) = 250.00
 
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Tombstone Consolidated Mines Bond Certificate E.B. Gage Signature Unissued [142311]2371 - Tombstone Consolidated Mines Bond Certificate E.B. Gage Signature Unissued [142311]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This lot contains one $100 bond for the Tombstone Consolidated Mines about 1902 with E. G. Gage as President signature, unissued. No folds or perfs ,
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to y******e for (55.00 + 13.75BP) = 68.75
 
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American Pioneer Copper, Silver and Gold Mining Co. Stock Certificate [123655]2372 - American Pioneer Copper, Silver and Gold Mining Co. Stock Certificate [123655]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Incorporated August 1863. "Location Weaver District Arizona Territory" (printed at upper left). "Ledges Excelsior, Eagle Bird, Occide...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 250.00 | Estimate : 500.00 - 1,000.00
 
 
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Two Southern Mining Stocks from Georgia and Arkansas [141456]2373 - Two Southern Mining Stocks from Georgia and Arkansas [141456]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Two miners from the southern states. 1) Blue Mountain Gold and Silver Mining Company issued at Hot Springs, Ark in 1887. Inc. in Arkansas. Vignettes o
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 120.00
Sold to 6****A for (130.00 + 28.60BP) = 158.60
 
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Rocky Bar Mining Co. Stock Certificate 1854 [142895]2374 - Rocky Bar Mining Co. Stock Certificate 1854 [142895]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Rocky Bar Mining Co. Stock certificate, issued to William J Harris for 20 shares on March 3, 1854, signed by President C. Sutterthwaite and secretary
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 1,000.00 | Estimate : 2,000.00 - 3,000.00
 
 
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Addenda Silver & Gold Mining Company Stock, Bodie, California [123542]2375 - Addenda Silver & Gold Mining Company Stock, Bodie, California [123542]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Issued June 22, 1880, Bodie Mining district. Incorporated in 1878. Cert. #1787, issued to Geo. T. Marye & Son, Trustees in 1880 for 100 shares. ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 200.00 | Estimate : 400.00 - 800.00
 
 
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Bodie Bluff Consolidated Gold Mining Company Stock [111908]2376 - Bodie Bluff Consolidated Gold Mining Company Stock [111908]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Rare. Location: Bodie Mining District, Mono Co., Cal. (printed bottom center). Inc. July 31st, 1879. No. 160, issued for 100 shares to Bayley on Aug.
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
 
 
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Bodie Bluff Mining Company Stock Signed by Leland Stanford Plus Note [123524]2377 - Bodie Bluff Mining Company Stock Signed by Leland Stanford Plus Note [123524]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 2. 1) Incorporated in 1863. Unnumbered, unissued stock certificate but signed by Leland Stanford as president. Yellow ground with pink underpri
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 750.00 | Estimate : 1,500.00 - 2,000.00
 
 
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Bodie Lion Mining Company Stock Sheet [123557]2378 - Bodie Lion Mining Company Stock Sheet [123557]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Sheet of two unused certificates. Number 131 and 132. Dateline San Francisco, 187_. No vignette, black border and print with ornate border of company
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Booker Consolidated Mining Stock with G. T. Brown Lithograph [123540]2379 - Booker Consolidated Mining Stock with G. T. Brown Lithograph [123540]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Incorporated Sept. 9, 1878. Certificate No. 1284, issued for 25 shares to W. H. Lent, Trustee, on March 1, 1879. "Bodie Mining Dist. Mono Co. C...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 800.00
Sold to a********x.. for (200.00 + 44.00BP) = 244.00
 
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