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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Bullion Mining Company Stock, G. T. Brown Lithographer [130859]2480 - Bullion Mining Company Stock, G. T. Brown Lithographer [130859]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 2. 1) Stock no. 9113 issued for 10 shares to Jas. Coffin on Dec. 23, 1878 in SF. Signed by vice-president William A. Schultz and secretary Jose
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 200.00
Sold to o******3 for (80.00 + 20.00BP) = 100.00
 
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Cincinnati Gold & Silver MC. Stock, Gold Hill, Nevada Territory 1864 [130778]2481 - Cincinnati Gold & Silver MC. Stock, Gold Hill, Nevada Territory 1864 [130778]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Location: Gold Hill District, Storey County, N.T. (printed at upper right, partially covered by 25 cent IR stamp). Incorporated Dec. 11, 1863. No. 50,
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold to o******3 for (225.00 + 56.25BP) = 281.25
 
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English Gold & Silver Mining Co. Stock, Gold Hill [130858]2482 - English Gold & Silver Mining Co. Stock, Gold Hill [130858]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Issued in 1876 when the Comstock was king! # 22 for 100 shares to trustee Dunning on July 21, 1876. On August 2, 1876 the San Francisco Chronicle gave
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to o******3 for (85.00 + 21.25BP) = 106.25
 
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New York Mining Company Stock [130861]2483 - New York Mining Company Stock [130861]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
# 10038 for 50 shares to HH Noble & Co. trustees. Signed by secretary DL Thomas and president C Weller. Dateline San Francisco 1878. Incorporate...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to o******3 for (120.00 + 30.00BP) = 150.00
 
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Sherwood Consolidated Mining Company Stock [130860]2484 - Sherwood Consolidated Mining Company Stock [130860]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
# 326 for 100 shares to JW Smith trustee. Signed by JM Buffington and WS Edwards. Rare SF printer AJ Leary. Situated just east of the New York and ove
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to d*******f for (65.00 + 16.25BP) = 81.25
 
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Tecumseh G&S MC Stock, Gold Hill, Nevada Territory, 1863 [130786]2485 - Tecumseh G&S MC Stock, Gold Hill, Nevada Territory, 1863 [130786]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Gold Hill Mining District, Storey County, N.T. (printed at the top of the certificate). Inc. April 1863 under the laws of Nevada Territory. Dateline G
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold to o******3 for (400.00 + 100.00BP) = 500.00
 
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Gold Hill Area Mining Stock Certificate Collection [130857]2486 - Gold Hill Area Mining Stock Certificate Collection [130857]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of eight. 1) Goodman G&S. Issued 1874 ñ the height of the Comstock. # 230 issued to Corbett and signed by Miles Goodman (as in Goodman ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 700.00
Sold to d*******f for (275.00 + 68.75BP) = 343.75
 
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Miller Gold Mining Company Stock, Gold Mountain, Esmeralda, NV.  [141482]2487 - Miller Gold Mining Company Stock, Gold Mountain, Esmeralda, NV. [141482]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Issued for 50 shares in 1881 at New York. Inc. in New York. Location of mine: Gold Mountain District, Esmeralda Co. Nevada printed at the top. Miners
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 200.00
Sold to d*******f for (85.00 + 21.25BP) = 106.25
 
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Five Stock Certificates from the Men who Turned Mining into a Business in Goldfield [130800]2488 - Five Stock Certificates from the Men who Turned Mining into a Business in Goldfield [130800]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
When one thinks of famous names in Goldfield, one thinks of Oddie or Pittman or Wingfield or Davis. They don't think of Johns or Bragdon or Eise...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 200.00
Sold to f*****y for (120.00 + 30.00BP) = 150.00
 
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Blue Bull Mining Company Stock Certificate signed by Ramsey [130804]2489 - Blue Bull Mining Company Stock Certificate signed by Ramsey [130804]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Not only is this extremely rare with rare Nevada colorful vignette, it has an important signature! Number 1310 for 100 shares to unlisted. Signed by W
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 130.00 - 200.00
Sold to f*****E for (225.00 + 0.00BP) = 225.00
 
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Four Goldfield Mining Certificates with Signatures [130841]2490 - Four Goldfield Mining Certificates with Signatures [130841]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1) Goldfield Simmerone with Malcom McDonald. McDonald is credited with bringing the Telephone and Telegraph to southern Nevada. 2) Goldfield May Queen
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 140.00 - 200.00
Sold to d*******f for (60.00 + 15.00BP) = 75.00
 
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Elmira Silver Bullion Company of Nevada Stock [130821]2491 - Elmira Silver Bullion Company of Nevada Stock [130821]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Another Elmira stock certificate was offered for sale by Holabird Auctions a five years before this was purchased. Fred Holabird projected that this m
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to j*****0 for (90.00 + 19.80BP) = 109.80
 
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Warren Silver MC Stock & Contract, La Plata, Churchill County Seat [130809]2492 - Warren Silver MC Stock & Contract, La Plata, Churchill County Seat [130809]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Mountain Wells Mining District. Uncancelled, no.110, issued to Francis W. Gove, 20 shares, signed by Samuel w. Pingree, President and Emmet Blair, Sec
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
Sold to d*******f for (65.00 + 16.25BP) = 81.25
 
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Western Lead Mines Stock, Death Valley, Issued to and Signed by C.C. Julian [111915]2493 - Western Lead Mines Stock, Death Valley, Issued to and Signed by C.C. Julian [111915]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Fresh off his Julian Petroleum fiasco (a huge money raiser but little oil), C.C. Julian proclaimed his Western Lead as his new baby. "A HUNDRED...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to s***0 for (110.00 + 24.20BP) = 134.20
 
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Stray Dog Manhattan Mining Co. Stock [130797]2494 - Stray Dog Manhattan Mining Co. Stock [130797]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Every miner needed luck and in Manhattan that luck came in a Stray Dog named Bob! (See full story below.) This mining company was named for Bob. Stray
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to M********o.. for (55.00 + 13.75BP) = 68.75
 
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Original Bullfrog Mines Syndicate Stock with Iconic Large Green Bullfrog Underprint [130817]2495 - Original Bullfrog Mines Syndicate Stock with Iconic Large Green Bullfrog Underprint [130817]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This is the most popular Bullfrog stock certificate by far with its ornate green border with large green bullfrog under printed at center. Green in ho
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
Sold to 6****A for (110.00 + 24.20BP) = 134.20
 
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Lot Withdrawn2496 - Lot Withdrawn
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot Withdrawn
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
 
 
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Liberty Silver Mining Stock, San Antonio District, Nevada Territory, 1864 [130795]2497 - Liberty Silver Mining Stock, San Antonio District, Nevada Territory, 1864 [130795]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
The Liberty Silver Mine was the major producer in the San Antonio District in Nye County. [Reese River Reveille, J Ross Browne "Mineral Resourc...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold to s***0 for (325.00 + 71.50BP) = 396.50
 
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Douglas G&S MC Stock, Blue Sulphur Spring District, Nevada Territory, [130776]2498 - Douglas G&S MC Stock, Blue Sulphur Spring District, Nevada Territory, [130776]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Ultra rare territorial Nevada stock. Location printed at the top of the certificate: Minnesota Ledge, Blue Sulphur Spring District. Lyon County. Inc.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 450.00 - 600.00
Sold to 2*****l for (225.00 + 49.50BP) = 274.50
 
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Rothschild G&S MC Stock, Blue Sulphur Spring District Nevada Territory [130783]2499 - Rothschild G&S MC Stock, Blue Sulphur Spring District Nevada Territory [130783]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Blue Sulpher Springs MD. Incorporated March 24th, 1863. Dateline Virginia, N.T., July 6th, 1863. No. 198, issued for 10 shares to secretary M. Thomson
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold to 2*****l for (200.00 + 44.00BP) = 244.00
 
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