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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Philadelphia and Easton Railway Bond [130697]2600 - Philadelphia and Easton Railway Bond [130697]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Philadelphia and Easton Railway Company $1000 5% 40 year bond, signed by president Rosenberger(?), #448. Nice Railway Car vignette. All 80 coupons att
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
 
 
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Three Early Rhode Island Railroads [142811]2601 - Three Early Rhode Island Railroads [142811]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1) Boston and Providence. #1346 in 1842. The Boston and Providence Railroad was a railroad company in the states of Massachusetts and Rhode Island whi
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 120.00 - 150.00
Sold to t********f for (85.00 + 21.25BP) = 106.25
 
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Rapid City, Black Hills & Western Railroad Bond [130704]2602 - Rapid City, Black Hills & Western Railroad Bond [130704]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
incorporated State of South Dakota. Bond # 1253, First Mortgage, 5%, $500 gold bearer bond, issued May 1, 1909, due May 1, 1939. Signed Geo E Mac
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Iron Mountain Railroad Company of Memphis Stock Certificate, 1886 [130587]2603 - Iron Mountain Railroad Company of Memphis Stock Certificate, 1886 [130587]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Number 2 for one share to LB McFarland. Probably a founders share. Signed by secretary McFarland and president R Morgan(?). Iron Mountain Railroad Co
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
Sold to r********-.. for (80.00 + 20.00BP) = 100.00
 
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Galveston, La Porte and Houston Railway - Rare [130682]2604 - Galveston, La Porte and Houston Railway - Rare [130682]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This road was chartered in 1892. In 1895 the name was changed to the current name. The company acquired the North Galveston, Houston and Kansas City R
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
 
 
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Houston Great Northern Railroad Bond [130698]2605 - Houston Great Northern Railroad Bond [130698]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
# 4738 issued in 1872. Signed by secretary, but not president. Two vignettes: steam train and loading bails of cotton. All coupons attached. Extremely
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 75.00 | Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
 
 
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The International Railroad Co. of Texas w/Key signature  [130679]2606 - The International Railroad Co. of Texas w/Key signature [130679]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Signed by president Galusha Grow. Galusha Aaron Grow was a prominent American politician, lawyer, writer and businessman. He served as 24th Speaker of
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to r********-.. for (40.00 + 10.00BP) = 50.00
 
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Northwest, Hard to Find, Railroad Stocks [142829]2607 - Northwest, Hard to Find, Railroad Stocks [142829]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1) Seattle-Tacoma Short Line. #857 for 50 shares to trusteed Muckler. Signed by secretary Muckler. Incredibly interesting and unique vignette of port
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 120.00 - 150.00
Sold to t******h for (60.00 + 15.00BP) = 75.00
 
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29 Different U. S. Railroad Stocks [130769]2608 - 29 Different U. S. Railroad Stocks [130769]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Includes New York and Oswego Midland, St, Lawrence and Adirondack, Brownville, Fort Kernay and Pacific, Bay City and East Saginaw, Ann Arbor, Chicago,
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 400.00
Sold to l*******c for (150.00 + 37.50BP) = 187.50
 
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Six Burlington Railroad Stocks  [142837]2609 - Six Burlington Railroad Stocks [142837]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1) Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern. Green. #B1369 issued in 1876. Allegorical vignette. 2-3) Same as number 1, but brown, #A1813 and #A1492 in 1
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
 
 
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Eastern Railroad Stock Group Including a #1! [142823]2610 - Eastern Railroad Stock Group Including a #1! [142823]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of eight. 1) Cambria & Clearfield Railroad. Number 1. Issued in 1888. 2) Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad. #944 issued in 1869. 25c revenue...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 120.00 - 200.00
Sold to d*******f for (60.00 + 15.00BP) = 75.00
 
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Eastern Shore/River Railroad Line Stocks [142851]2611 - Eastern Shore/River Railroad Line Stocks [142851]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of four. 1) Jersey Shore, Pine Creek and Buffalo Railway. Bond. 18--. #479. Not issued. Rather unique vignette of a mill along a river bank. 2) We
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold to j*****0 for (40.00 + 8.80BP) = 48.80
 
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Eastern Street Rail Bonds [142847]2612 - Eastern Street Rail Bonds [142847]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of three. 1) Norfolk Terminal and Transportation Company. Terminal Bond. #209. 1898. No coupons. Has the best railroad vignette: two trains leavin
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 60.00 | Estimate : 120.00 - 200.00
 
 
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Great Lakes Railroad Bonds [142848]2613 - Great Lakes Railroad Bonds [142848]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of five. 1) Lake Shoe and Michigan Southern. #30010. 1897. Coupons151 to 200 attached. Two trains surround the founder(?) vignette. Also a rare al
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 60.00 | Estimate : 120.00 - 150.00
 
 
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Gulf Region Railroad Stock Group [142832]2614 - Gulf Region Railroad Stock Group [142832]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of six. 1) South Western Rail Road. #7315 issued in 1877. Train going over bridge vignette. 2) Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Railway. #953 issue...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 75.00 | Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
 
 
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Hupp Automatic Mail Exchange Stock, for Railroads, 1918 [130605]2615 - Hupp Automatic Mail Exchange Stock, for Railroads, 1918 [130605]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
# 3138 for 20 shares in 1918. Very large and interesting vignette shows the system on a mail car. Brown and black on white. Slight bend on corners and
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 250.00 | Estimate : 500.00 - 1,000.00
 
 
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Iron & Railroad Iron Stocks [122220]2616 - Iron & Railroad Iron Stocks [122220]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of four. 1) Excelsior Iron Works. #79 for 24 shares. Issued in 1897. This company was established in 1850 and incorporated in 1872. Two children l
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 60.00 | Estimate : 120.00 - 200.00
 
 
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Railroad Bond Group -Ten Different! [140205]2617 - Railroad Bond Group -Ten Different! [140205]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Illinois Central, Norfolk and Western, Reading, Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific, Florida East Coast, Old Colony, Scioto Valley and New England, Littl
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 250.00
Sold to l*******c for (90.00 + 22.50BP) = 112.50
 
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Railroad Cars and Crossing Stocks [140204]2618 - Railroad Cars and Crossing Stocks [140204]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of thirteen. 1-4) New York Central Sleeping Card Company. 1883. Steam engine vignette. Earlies tis #773. 5-8) Woodruff Sleeping & Parlor Coa...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to d*******f for (100.00 + 25.00BP) = 125.00
 
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LOT WITHDRAWN2619 - LOT WITHDRAWN
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot withdrawn
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 1.00 | Estimate : 2.00 - 3.00
 
 
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