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 Issued Rockdale Gold Mining Company Stock, Handwritten By-Laws, Gilpin County Taxes [130635]2420 - Rare Issued Rockdale Gold Mining Company Stock, Handwritten By-Laws, Gilpin County Taxes [130635]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of three. 1) Stock certificate. # 1221 for 2 shares to Delafield. Officer signatures are pen cancelled.25c revenue stamp. Two mining vignettes. Si
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 350.00 | Estimate : 700.00 - 1,200.00
 
 
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Reliance Gold and Silver Mining Company of Co. Bond, 1867 [130656]2421 - Reliance Gold and Silver Mining Company of Co. Bond, 1867 [130656]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
$100 bond was issued in 1867 and signed by secretary Armitage and president Tucker. Early number 93. 18 x 16". Excellent condition! Includes bl...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 75.00 | Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
 
 
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War Dance Mining Company Stock, Colorado With Great Vignette [141450]2422 - War Dance Mining Company Stock, Colorado With Great Vignette [141450]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Rare mining stock. Inc. in Wyoming, but printed in Denver and the transfer agent is in Denver. We are pretty sure this is a Colorado miner. The War Da
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to 8***1 for (450.00 + 99.00BP) = 549.00
 
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Moore Mining and Smelting Co. Stock Certificate  [123586]2423 - Moore Mining and Smelting Co. Stock Certificate [123586]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Rare. No. 156. Ink and punch cancelled. Issued for 200 shares to Allen Hubbard on Nov. 22, 1887. Signed by president (William Moore) and secretary, bu
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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U.S. Tunnel, Mining, Milling, Drainage & Trans. Stock, 1899 [141451]2424 - U.S. Tunnel, Mining, Milling, Drainage & Trans. Stock, 1899 [141451]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Inc. in West Virginia. Cert. #4642, issued for 20 bearer shares. Signed by E.A. Quintard as president and Homer Yart as secretary. The company owned t
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold to d*******f for (75.00 + 18.75BP) = 93.75
 
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Hukill Gold and Silver Mining Company of New York Stock  [123636]2425 - Hukill Gold and Silver Mining Company of New York Stock [123636]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Very rare. #241 for 100 shares. Signed by Willett secretary and Boswell (?) president. Not cancelled. Busy underground mining vignette. Pin holes. One
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 400.00
Sold to d*******f for (150.00 + 37.50BP) = 187.50
 
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Malachite Mining Co. of Colorado Stock Certificate [123648]2426 - Malachite Mining Co. of Colorado Stock Certificate [123648]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Cert #97. Incorporated in Maine. Issued to Fred Atwood for 10 shares in 1877. Signed by Elijah E. Lummus president and Edw. Lord treasurer. Undergroun
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to x*****m for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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Bald Mountain Mining Company Stock, 1880 with Vignette of Fryer Hill! [130647]2427 - Bald Mountain Mining Company Stock, 1880 with Vignette of Fryer Hill! [130647]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
# A89 for 100 shares at $10 per to Henry Jones and signed by Harris as president and Wendell as secretary. It is dated December 8, 1880 and has a GREA
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 120.00
Sold to S****2 for (90.00 + 22.50BP) = 112.50
 
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Catalpa Mining Company Stock, Leadville, Signed by Whitney [123642]2428 - Catalpa Mining Company Stock, Leadville, Signed by Whitney [123642]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Cert #274. Incorporated in NY in 1880. Issued to Elisha Mann, Jr in 1880 for 100 shares. Signed by J.P. Whitney president and H.W. Wesson secretary. V
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 200.00
Sold to x*****m for (70.00 + 17.50BP) = 87.50
 
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Compromise Mining Co. of Leadville, Colorado Stock [123592]2429 - Compromise Mining Co. of Leadville, Colorado Stock [123592]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Rare. Incorporated under the laws of the State of Colorado, 1880. #561. Stamp cancelled. Issued for 300 shares to Jas. H Billington on Feb. 19th, 1881
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Dauntless Mining Co. of Leadville Stock Certificate, 1881 [123588]2430 - Dauntless Mining Co. of Leadville Stock Certificate, 1881 [123588]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Rare. Incorporated 1879. #1326. Uncancelled. Issued for 1000 shares to Samuel H. Reed on January 15th, 1881. Signed by Chas. W. Selser as president an
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 400.00
Sold to x*****m for (140.00 + 35.00BP) = 175.00
 
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Highland Chief Cons. Mining Co. Stock Certificate, Printer's Proof [123595]2431 - Highland Chief Cons. Mining Co. Stock Certificate, Printer's Proof [123595]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Printer's proof. Series B. Colored pencil notations: "Sept 23/79" and "Oct 30th/79" and "(4)." Measures 15" x...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
Sold to x*****m for (75.00 + 18.75BP) = 93.75
 
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Lawrence Mining & Smelting Stock, Leadville, 1880 [111901]2432 - Lawrence Mining & Smelting Stock, Leadville, 1880 [111901]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Cert. #694, issued for 50 shares to W.E. McGurvey in 1880. Signed by S.O. Thatcher as vice-president and Oscar F. Myers as secretary. The company was
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to 8***1 for (90.00 + 19.80BP) = 109.80
 
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Leadville Mining Stock Pair: The Queen and Omaha & Grant Smelting & Mining [123645]2433 - Leadville Mining Stock Pair: The Queen and Omaha & Grant Smelting & Mining [123645]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 2 unissued. 1) The Queen Mining Company of Leadville, Colorado. 188-. Underground mining vignette of miner with pick and one pushing an ore car
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold to d*******f for (45.00 + 11.25BP) = 56.25
 
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Little Chief Mining Company Stock, Leadville, Colorado [123587]2434 - Little Chief Mining Company Stock, Leadville, Colorado [123587]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
"Location of Mines, Fryer Hill, Leadville, Col." printed at upper left. Issued for 100 shares to Geo. W. Platt, Jr. on Sept . 8th, 1880 in...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Argentum Juniata Mining Company Stock, Aspen, 1894 [130646]2435 - Argentum Juniata Mining Company Stock, Aspen, 1894 [130646]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
# 2710 for 32 shares to Samuel Cook in 1894. Signed by president Bolles and secretary Loft. Double tunnel underground mining vignette. Green border an
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
Sold to j*********t for (85.00 + 21.25BP) = 106.25
 
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Buckeye Mining and Tunneling Co. of Colorado: Beautiful Stock, 1880 [130648]2436 - Buckeye Mining and Tunneling Co. of Colorado: Beautiful Stock, 1880 [130648]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Pinkish red and black on light green safety paper. Underground mining vignette of two miners and ore cart. Two pin holes. One smudge upper right, may
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to S****2 for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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Livingstone Silver Mining Stock, St.Elmo, Colorado, 1881 [141431]2437 - Livingstone Silver Mining Stock, St.Elmo, Colorado, 1881 [141431]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Rare Colorado mining stock issued in 1881. The Livingstone Silver Mining Company was incorporated in Colorado in 1881. The company owned the Livingsto
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to d*******f for (110.00 + 27.50BP) = 137.50
 
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Crown Mining Company of Colorado Stock [123650]2438 - Crown Mining Company of Colorado Stock [123650]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Incorporated in Camden, New Jersey, March 22, 1881. No. 52. Uncancelled. Issued for 1000 shares to M.S. Buckley on April 26, 1881 in Camden, N.J. Sign
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
Sold to 6****A for (120.00 + 26.40BP) = 146.40
 
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Gold Mountain Combination Mining Company Stock, 1865 [130658]2439 - Gold Mountain Combination Mining Company Stock, 1865 [130658]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Incorporated in New York, certificate number (too light), issued on August 25, 1865, at New York. Issued to Michael Meybert, signed by C Rickstow, and
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to m********1 for (120.00 + 30.00BP) = 150.00
 
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