Dynamite, Guns, and Gold

Auction Details

April auction
Highlights
1. The Great American Mining Collection
a. Miners Candlesticks. About 300 different. This is easily the finest public offering of uniquely American historic miners candlesticks in history. The sheer volume of the offering is sure to stimulate new collectors in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The material is organized roughly around Wilson-Bobrink, the breakthrough reference for miners candlesticks. You’ll find new discoveries, personalized sticks and expanded discussion regarding manufactured sticks.
b. Mine Carbide Collectibles. The Collection is so massive that we’ve split it into two parts, with the second part coming in June. The development of the acetylene lamps was a scientific breakthrough for the mining industry. The April sale has many tidbits for the collection, including some large hand held lamps and a sampling of other lamps. The June sale has the majority of the Superintendent style hand/hanging lamps and the cap lamps. The collections of carbide/acetylene devices number in excess of one thousand pieces, all different.
c. Miner’s Safety Lamps. This historic invention created generations of scientific devices used for the all-important gas detection. The Collection has 90 different safety lamps. Most will be offered in June.
d. Miner’s Oil wick lamps, hundreds, all different. A large collection of these coal region lamps, they will be offered in June.
e. Other underground mine lighting devices – a vast collection of foreign lamps
f. Wood Blasting and Candle boxes. There is a wonderful collection of these very “showy” collectibles. The variety of the collection is excellent, from explosives boxes to cap boxes to candle boxes. The variety in size is notable too, with a number of the smaller 25 pound boxes. There are at least 50- a sizable collection. A few will be in the June sale, but most in April.
g. Blasting cap tin collection. A significant collection that has singles as well as original boxes full. Easily over 100 blasting cap tin boxes.
h. Mine bell signal signs and other mining enamel signs. A Collection you won’t want to forget. This collection has a wide variety of not only western mines, but international mine signs. The individual state mine bell signal signs are the clear highlight.
i. Mining equipment Patent models -three of them, nineteenth century
2. Antique Bottle Collections
a. Arizona Collection. A wide variety of medicines, sodas and milk bottles
b. Small Nevada Collection. The April sale has some rare Nevada items, with more coming in June.
c. Major Western Whiskey Flask Collection. This collection is slated for June.
d. Great Rarities of Western Whiskies. The April sale offers some outstanding rarities not usually seen at any auction gallery. These are sure to excite the advanced collectors.
e. Colorful antique bottles. It seems we always have submittals of beautiful antique bottles. We’ve got a section in every sale.
f. Leadville, Colorado Collection. A collection of medicines and soda bottles. This one is different – nearly every specimen is dead mint. Watch for the Colorado whiskies coming in June!
3. Postal History and Wells Fargo Express- a large collection of widely varied material. A section we always have, a popular colleting category.
4. Gold
a. Nuggets from Western Sites
b. High grade visible gold in ore specimens from major Nevada mining districts such as Austin and Tuscarora.
c. Jewelry and watches. A collection of pocket watches, gold and Native America jewelry. Diamond jewelry too.
5. Coins, Currency – Numismatics
a. Important 1860’s Unionville silver ingot, a discovery piece
b. Major Morgan Dollar Collection, including varieties
c. US coins, including gold
d. US $20 Gold Note, AU
e. Hundreds of US Proof and Mint sets
f. Fun US currency collectible lots
g. Rare So-Called dollars and gaming items
h. Tokens- great variety of national interest
6. Toys
a. Trains. HO sets, more than 60 engines
b. Hot Wheels. Hundreds of cars.
c. Military toy planes, boats, etc.
d. Original boxed models
7. Documents
a. Mining stocks, some great material
b. Rare western maps
c. V&T RR Document Collection- a beauty
d. Lots of other key pieces
8. Firearms- More than 100 antique firearms. A wide variety of collectible firearms including rarities.
9. Militaria. A nice collection of maybe 100+ pieces coming in June.
a. Swords. A couple dozen
b. Helmets. Dozens
10. Cowboy
a. Great spurs, including silver inlay Garcia
11. Western Research- Key books – a dozen rare western directories, etc.
More Coming In June or Later:
1. A great Western Antique Bottle Collection- considering having a sale in conjunction with the Reno Show in June.
2. Swords- Katana Collection, about 800 different, one of the best collections in America. Watch for an important separate auction!
3. More from the Great American Mining Collection, Carbide lamps, part 2; and Oil wick Lamps
4. The Appalachian Gold Belt Collection- America’s First Gold Discoveries, 1828- the finest collection of documents in private hands. Watch for a stand-alone sale here. We are negotiating venues now.
5. A special offering of mining properties in Colorado. The fee-simple patented claims are in a major gold district, where current exploration is just getting going. Some properties in this district have also produced great gold specimens for the collectors.


If you have collections that might fit into our upcoming sales, please be sure to contact us - we will be traveling to pick up collections for the next 2 months in California, Arizona, Montana and Colorado, with a possible trip to the New York-Boston area later in the year as well.
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If a Coin is certified(NGC, NCS, PCGS) the coins may not be as sharp or the edges may appear distorted or damaged. If you have any questions contact me.
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Wells Fargo & Company Letter about a Brakeman Screw Up1001 - Wells Fargo & Company Letter about a Brakeman Screw Up
Holabird Western Americana Collections
"On this occasion that the Brakeman had removed his bag from the car then placed it in the depot and was well on his way home...." On Well...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to G****d for (35.00 + 8.40BP) = 43.40
 
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Contract between American Express and the city of Marysville.1002 - Contract between American Express and the city of Marysville.
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This 1917 contract is a two year lease to American Express for a store room at 128 D Street. Signed by N. T. Ellis of Ellis estate and E. M. Whittle,
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to G****d for (25.00 + 6.00BP) = 31.00
 
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Jonathon Valentine letter to HM Yerington of the V&T1003 - Jonathon Valentine letter to HM Yerington of the V&T
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Valentine, general superintendent of Wells Fargo in San Francisco, writes to Yerrington (sic) about rates. Yerington wants to add 15%. Valentine says
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to G****d for (95.00 + 22.80BP) = 117.80
 
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Wells Fargo Receipts for Gold Dust1004 - Wells Fargo Receipts for Gold Dust
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of thirteen. 1) Received of Hershfield &Co. one package of gold dust. Sent to the 9th National Bank of New York. Signed by W.C.Child, an age...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to G****d for (80.00 + 19.20BP) = 99.20
 
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Wells Fargo Receipts for Gold Dust1005 - Wells Fargo Receipts for Gold Dust
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of nine issued receipts of Hershfield to Northrup & Chick of new York. Receipts range from $12,300 for two bags of gold dust to $6,200 for 1...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 1,000.00
Sold to d******c for (130.00 + 31.20BP) = 161.20
 
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Wells Fargo / City of Reno Lease1006 - Wells Fargo / City of Reno Lease
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This is a lease between WH Pearson and WE Cafferata for a storeroom in their building. Signed by both and ER Jones for Wells Fargo. State:Nevada
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to u********y.. for (30.00 + 6.30BP) = 36.30
 
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Adams Express No Smoking Sign1007 - Adams Express No Smoking Sign
Holabird Western Americana Collections
11 x 9". Sign advertising that smoking is forbidden in the building and will result in dismissal On authority of Jas. C. Fargo, President. Hand...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 300.00
Sold to F****e for (40.00 + 8.40BP) = 48.40
 
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Wells Fargo Stickers1008 - Wells Fargo Stickers
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of four. 1) Shasta, California. 2) Paid, do not collect charges. 3) redlands, Cal., prepaid. 4) Pictorial (ship and train) Express from..."...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to t*****5 for (50.00 + 12.00BP) = 62.00
 
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Wells Fargo Baggage Tags and Business Cards1009 - Wells Fargo Baggage Tags and Business Cards
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of seven. Baggage tags include Phoenix, Burlingam (sic) California, Menlo Park California unused and (??) Cal to Tracy. Three business cards for O
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 120.00 - 200.00
Sold to G****d for (50.00 + 12.00BP) = 62.00
 
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Wells Fargo Reno $60.00 receipt1010 - Wells Fargo Reno $60.00 receipt
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Signed by R. Smith. Charges are COD. From Miss Davis. For $60.00 in coin. State:Nevada City:Reno Date:1879 ID#46646
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to t*****5 for (50.00 + 12.00BP) = 62.00
 
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Lot Withdrawn1011 - Lot Withdrawn
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot Withdrawn
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 0.00
 
 
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Gold Rush / Wells Fargo Collection Envelope1012 - Gold Rush / Wells Fargo Collection Envelope
Holabird Western Americana Collections
$42 bill on this hard-to-find collection envelope. . From M. Simonds (?) of 103 Court Street to Lafayette C Baker of 137 Mark St. See photo for condi
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to F****e for (85.00 + 17.85BP) = 102.85
 
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San Francisco related Wells Fargo Covers1013 - San Francisco related Wells Fargo Covers
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of three. 1) May 3, 1864 (written on back) circular Wells Fargo cover. Torn roughly through stamp and cancel. From Mrs. A Luck of San Jose to Dr.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 50.00 - 100.00
Sold to G****d for (25.00 + 6.00BP) = 31.00
 
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Gold Rush / Wells Fargo Collection Envelope1014 - Gold Rush / Wells Fargo Collection Envelope
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Pictorial. From G. Graves (call) on Page & Bacon of St. Louis. For $132 plus interest. If it is not paid promptly, "state the probability o...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
Sold to c********2 for (100.00 + 21.00BP) = 121.00
 
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Rare Marble's Express, Boston Money Package Envelope1015 - Rare Marble's Express, Boston Money Package Envelope
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Unused. 24 Court Square in Boston and A. W. Thompson in North Easton. Hard to find! State:Massachusetts City:Boston Date:187- ID#46635
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to f*****E for (30.00 + 7.20BP) = 37.20
 
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RARE and UNUSUAL Adams Express Official Letter with Safe Combination1016 - RARE and UNUSUAL Adams Express Official Letter with Safe Combination
Holabird Western Americana Collections
J Allenbach is writing to his superior in San Francisco, W elder. "When Mr. McMahon was here had him change the combination of safe. 20 - 68 - ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold to V********e for (150.00 + 30.00BP) = 180.00
 
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Virginia City Wells Fargo Themed RPC's1017 - Virginia City Wells Fargo Themed RPC's
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of eleven. 1-2) Remains of an "Elite" wagon used for transportation. 3) First Wells Fargo Vault. 3-5) Three different views of the Wel...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 120.00 - 300.00
Sold to S*****8 for (45.00 + 10.80BP) = 55.80
 
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American Railway Express Sign1018 - American Railway Express Sign
Holabird Western Americana Collections
American Railway Express wood sign, 10.5" x 70". Fabulous condition. The Railway Express Agency (REA) was a national monopoly set up by th...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 2,500.00 | Estimate : 5,000.00 - 10,000.00
 
 
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Wells Fargo Contact with the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad1019 - Wells Fargo Contact with the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Typed duplicate 1905 contract that states the Railroad will provide space for all Wells Fargo goods, will carry free of charge the safes, etc, transmi
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to t********n.. for (75.00 + 15.75BP) = 90.75
 
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Miniature Wells Fargo Scale Model Stage Coach1020 - Miniature Wells Fargo Scale Model Stage Coach
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This stagecoach has the look and construction of a well-known model artist Dale Ford in the 1970s. This is a beautiful scale model reproduction of a W
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 3,000.00
Sold to t********n.. for (900.00 + 189.00BP) = 1,089.00
 
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