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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San Francisco Medal Collection [136329]3400 - San Francisco Medal Collection [136329]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 19 medals from San Francisco. 1973 Cable Car Centennial, copper (5); Alcatraz "The Rock"; Islam Temple medal and belt buckle (1932)...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to W********y.. for (100.00 + 25.00BP) = 125.00
 
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California Gold Tokens [136264]3401 - California Gold Tokens [136264]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of two octagonal tokens. "Eureka" on the obverse with seated Minerva, and "1885" on reverse. One slightly smaller than the o...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (120.00 + 30.00BP) = 150.00
 
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California Medal Collection [141202]3402 - California Medal Collection [141202]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 23 medals from around California. 1939 Golden Gate Expo; Yosemite National Park; 1901 Santa Clara County; 1954 Standard Oil of California; 1971
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold to b*******n for (70.00 + 17.50BP) = 87.50
 
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Columbian Exposition So Called Dollar: HK 154 [143066]3403 - Columbian Exposition So Called Dollar: HK 154 [143066]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Obv.. Edifice; on ribbon above, around U.S. Govt. Building; below edifice, on ribbon, Width 351 ft / [to. l.] Length 421 ft, [to r.] Area 3.3 Acres //
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to L*****n for (65.00 + 16.25BP) = 81.25
 
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Columbian Exposition So Called Dollar: HK 154 [143068]3404 - Columbian Exposition So Called Dollar: HK 154 [143068]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Obv.. Edifice; on ribbon above, around U.S. Govt. Building; below edifice, on ribbon, Width 351 ft / [to. l.] Length 421 ft, [to r.] Area 3.3 Acres //
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to L*****n for (35.00 + 8.75BP) = 43.75
 
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Colorado Century of Progress So Called Dollar HK-870 [143067]3405 - Colorado Century of Progress So Called Dollar HK-870 [143067]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Obv.. Within circle, mining scene; below, Use Silver to / Restore / Prosperity; within circle and beaded border, * Century of Progress * above; 1833
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (120.00 + 30.00BP) = 150.00
 
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Century of Progress Montana Dollar: HK 820 [143071]3406 - Century of Progress Montana Dollar: HK 820 [143071]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Obv.. Mining scene in upper center portion, incused M upon hillside; lower center panel inscribed Silver the Key / to / ï Prosperity ï
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to 6*******d for (250.00 + 55.00BP) = 305.00
 
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International Nickel Corp. So Called Dollar HK-323 [143069]3407 - International Nickel Corp. So Called Dollar HK-323 [143069]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Obv.. Bearded bust r.; above around Malleable Nickel First Produced in 1865 by.; below bust Joseph Wharton Sc.D., L.L.D. // Rev. Around at top America
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (225.00 + 56.25BP) = 281.25
 
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F. Prentice Nevada Mining Medal [143084]3408 - F. Prentice Nevada Mining Medal [143084]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
F. Prentice Mining 26 Pine St. / New York / (pictorial mill) // First Product / By Mill Process / In The / Pah-Ranagat / Mining District / Nevada / Ja
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (650.00 + 162.50BP) = 812.50
 
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Sterling Investment Co. So Called Dollar: HK 821 [143075]3409 - Sterling Investment Co. So Called Dollar: HK 821 [143075]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
HK-821: Obv.. Sterling / Investment / Co. Inc. / Reno / Nevada // Rev. 1933 / Silver / 430 Grains. Silver. 38mm. An agent of Pedley-Ryan & Co....
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to 2*****s for (375.00 + 82.50BP) = 457.50
 
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Statue of Liberty Medal by Charles Barber [143113]3410 - Statue of Liberty Medal by Charles Barber [143113]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Charles Barber signed version of the 1886 Statue of Liberty Dedication medal. The obverse image of Bartholdi is signed BARBER F. at the truncation of
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to m********m for (550.00 + 137.50BP) = 687.50
 
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Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Expo So Called Dollars:  HK-359/ HK-363 [143073]3411 - Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Expo So Called Dollars: HK-359/ HK-363 [143073]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of two So Called dollars: 1) HK-359: Obv.. In center is an involved decorative design with Utah / Exhibit on center oval; outside above, around Al
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to 6*******d for (110.00 + 24.20BP) = 134.20
 
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AYPE Medal Collection [142279]3412 - AYPE Medal Collection [142279]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of four medals celebrating the Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition in Seattle. 1) Gold Camp /Saloon / Dance Hall / Gambling / House // Souvenir / AYP
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold to D*****6 for (200.00 + 50.00BP) = 250.00
 
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Medal Collection  from the State of Washington [142274]3413 - Medal Collection from the State of Washington [142274]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Miscellaneous collection of over 20 medals from Washington State. 1962 Seattle World's Fair; Walla Walla Centennial ; 1936 Vancouver Beaver Cen...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to r**4 for (180.00 + 45.00BP) = 225.00
 
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Abraham Lincoln Rail Splitter Medal [136308]3414 - Abraham Lincoln Rail Splitter Medal [136308]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
obv..: Hon. Abraham Lincoln / (portrait) / 1860; Rev.: The Rail Splitter of the West / (chopping wood in front of a log cabin). Br., rd., 28 mm, holed
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold to D*****6 for (300.00 + 75.00BP) = 375.00
 
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Advert and Commemorative Medals - 4 [143118]3415 - Advert and Commemorative Medals - 4 [143118]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1) British 1875 J.H. Tillett Esq. medal. Portrait on obverse. Reverse notes he was victimized and persecuted but not forgotten, 1875. Brass, 30mm, EF;
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to 6*******d for (75.00 + 16.50BP) = 91.50
 
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Bashlow Continental Dollar Restrikes - 2 [143106]3416 - Bashlow Continental Dollar Restrikes - 2 [143106]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Two brass Bashlow Continental Dollar restrikes. Unc.. Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Bill McKivor Collection
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (80.00 + 20.00BP) = 100.00
 
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Brass and Aluminum Medals - 6 [143115]3417 - Brass and Aluminum Medals - 6 [143115]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Six medals: 1) 1967 Admiral Nimitz/Battle of Midway bronze medal struck by the Medallic Art Co. Bronze, 45mm; 2) Colonial Jack aluminum medal. Struck
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to c******n for (40.00 + 10.00BP) = 50.00
 
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Bryan Money - 2 [143107]3418 - Bryan Money - 2 [143107]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Two large 16 TO 1 - NIT dollars. 1) Schornstein 702 silver dollar style cast in type metal. 91.5 mm, many nicks and dings. Appears to have been holed
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
Sold to b*******8 for (130.00 + 32.50BP) = 162.50
 
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Commemorative and Award Medals - 3 [143117]3419 - Commemorative and Award Medals - 3 [143117]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1) Merritt Haviland Smith commemorative medal. Engineer for the New York City water supply and Colonel of the Artillery in the Great War. Struck by th
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to 6*******d for (50.00 + 11.00BP) = 61.00
 
Details...Bookmark