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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Jefferson County, MT Billheads & Manuscripts & Mining Documents (70) [140864]3200 - Jefferson County, MT Billheads & Manuscripts & Mining Documents (70) [140864]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of approx. 70 Billheads/letterheads from various enterprises throughout Jefferson County, MT c. 1887 - 1910. Included are several pieces of corr
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 600.00
Sold to S***6 for (120.00 + 30.00BP) = 150.00
 
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Correspondence with Mrs. B. M. Philips Chairman of the Democratic Central Committee   [140377]3201 - Correspondence with Mrs. B. M. Philips Chairman of the Democratic Central Committee [140377]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This collection of letters and a woman's manifesto describes women's rights to vote and persuade politics in a man's political world. Mr...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to a********b.. for (100.00 + 25.00BP) = 125.00
 
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Lewis & Clark Co., Montana Detailed Base Map, 1936 [142995]3202 - Lewis & Clark Co., Montana Detailed Base Map, 1936 [142995]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
62 x 35.5". Base Map, Lewis & Clark Co., Montana prepared by the Montana State Highway Dept in cooperation with the Bureau of Public Roads,...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 340.00 - 600.00
Sold to a****a for (100.00 + 25.00BP) = 125.00
 
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Lewis & Clark County, MT Letterhead & Manuscripts (12) [140860]3203 - Lewis & Clark County, MT Letterhead & Manuscripts (12) [140860]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 12 Billheads/Letterheads from various communities in Lewis & Clark County, MT c. 1881 -1918. Included is an order from the Belmont Minin...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 600.00
 
 
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Madison County, MT Billheads & Manuscripts (30+) [140863]3204 - Madison County, MT Billheads & Manuscripts (30+) [140863]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of over 30 billheads & letterheads from various enterprises throughout Madison County, MT from the early 20th century. Examples include co...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 600.00
Sold to a****a for (150.00 + 37.50BP) = 187.50
 
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Madison County, MT Illustrations (14) [142748]3205 - Madison County, MT Illustrations (14) [142748]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 14 pages of B&W prints of sketches of people, buildings and landscapes of 19th century Madison County, MT. Collection includes an inter...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
 
 
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Meagher County, Montana Ephemera Collection [130671]3206 - Meagher County, Montana Ephemera Collection [130671]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Approximately 22 billheads and 25 letters/notes. See photo for billheads. Includes Alpine, Malden, Levina, Kirby, Hughsville, Oka, Musselshell, Ringli
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 600.00
 
 
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Meagher County, MT Illustration Collection (12) [142686]3207 - Meagher County, MT Illustration Collection (12) [142686]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 12 pages of B&W illustrations of people, buildings and landscapes within Meagher County, MT from the late 19th century. Date: Countr...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to a********b.. for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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Miles City, MT -- City Correspondence/Notices/Financials (150) [142245]3208 - Miles City, MT -- City Correspondence/Notices/Financials (150) [142245]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of over 150 billheads/letterheads/notices/financials from the city of Miles City. Most items c. 1910 - 1930. Typical are letters to/from the Ma
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 760.00 - 1,500.00
Sold to d*******f for (150.00 + 37.50BP) = 187.50
 
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Miles City, MT -- City Correspondence & Accounting Documents (220) [142244]3209 - Miles City, MT -- City Correspondence & Accounting Documents (220) [142244]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of approx. 220 pieces, all to/from the city of Miles City, MT. Correspondence from the City Clerk as well as the Mayor and City Council predomin
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 550.00 | Estimate : 1,100.00 - 2,200.00
 
 
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Miles City, MT -- City Letterheads/Legal/Financial Documents (180) [142246]3210 - Miles City, MT -- City Letterheads/Legal/Financial Documents (180) [142246]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of approx. 180 pieces to/from the city of Miles City, MT c. 1910 - 1925. Majority of items related to Mayor's office and City Clerk's o...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 450.00 | Estimate : 900.00 - 1,800.00
 
 
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Miles City, MT -- City Related Letter/Legal/Financial Documents (140) [142247]3211 - Miles City, MT -- City Related Letter/Legal/Financial Documents (140) [142247]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 140 letterheads/billheads to/from the city of Miles City, MT c. 1910 - 1925. Included are monthly reports from the City Treasurer as well as S
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 350.00 | Estimate : 700.00 - 1,400.00
 
 
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Miles City, MT General Commercial Billheads & County Letterheads (45) [142243]3212 - Miles City, MT General Commercial Billheads & County Letterheads (45) [142243]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of approx. 45 billheads/letterheads from various enterprises within Miles City, MT as well as letterheads from Custer County. c. 1883 - 1910. Co
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 220.00 - 400.00
Sold to d*******f for (45.00 + 11.25BP) = 56.25
 
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Missoula Mercantile Co, MT Billheads (240+) [140865]3213 - Missoula Mercantile Co, MT Billheads (240+) [140865]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of over 240 Billheads from the Missoula Mercantile Company, MT, all dated c. 1886 - 1903, two pieces from 1907 and 1923. By far the largest colle
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,200.00 - 2,400.00
Sold to a****a for (375.00 + 93.75BP) = 468.75
 
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Missoula, Montana Illustration Collection (21) [142687]3214 - Missoula, Montana Illustration Collection (21) [142687]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 21 pages of B&W illustrations of people, building and landscapes of Missoula, MT from the late 19th century. Includes prints of David Ed...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to t********f for (30.00 + 7.50BP) = 37.50
 
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Missoula, MT General Commercial Billheads (A - L) (60+) [140869]3215 - Missoula, MT General Commercial Billheads (A - L) (60+) [140869]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of over 60 billheads/letterheads from various enterprises in Missoula, MT dated 1884 - 1910. This collection consists of companies with names sta
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 600.00
Sold to d*******f for (120.00 + 30.00BP) = 150.00
 
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Missoula, MT General Commercial Billheads (M - Z) (120+) [142240]3216 - Missoula, MT General Commercial Billheads (M - Z) (120+) [142240]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of over 120 billheads/letterheads from a variety of enterprises based in Missoula, MT c. 1880s - 1900s, a few pieces from 1923, one from 1940. Ex
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 600.00 - 1,200.00
Sold to d*******f for (225.00 + 56.25BP) = 281.25
 
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Missoula, MT Government & Organization Documents (50+) [140866]3217 - Missoula, MT Government & Organization Documents (50+) [140866]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of over 50 documents, mostly from government entities but including several organizations based in Missoula, MT. Most dated late 19th century. M
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 260.00 - 500.00
Sold to d*******f for (70.00 + 17.50BP) = 87.50
 
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Missoula, MT Hardware & Lumber Store Billhead Collection (60+) [140868]3218 - Missoula, MT Hardware & Lumber Store Billhead Collection (60+) [140868]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of over 60 billheads/letterheads from J.P. Reinhard -- dealer in Hardware, Stoves, Glassware, and Crockery -- and Purtle & Lynch (formerly...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 600.00
Sold to d*******f for (95.00 + 23.75BP) = 118.75
 
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Missoula County, Montana Ephemera Collection [130672]3219 - Missoula County, Montana Ephemera Collection [130672]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Approximately 25 billheads and 20 notes/letters. See Photograph for more billheads. Includes Libby (Chicago and Montana MC), Jennings (Thomas Conlan G
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 600.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (120.00 + 30.00BP) = 150.00
 
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