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.
If you want to view an enlarged image, click on the thumbnail image in the lower left of the main image.
You can download a higher resolution image by clicking on the title below the enlarged image.
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.
You can request extra images to be added by contacting HWAC at uwe@fhwac.com or by calling 775-851-1859
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Metal Sign by Stonehouse Signs1501 - Metal Sign by Stonehouse Signs
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Denver. Danger timber raise. Black and red on white 10 x 14" excellent condition. No location info. State:Colorado City:Denver Date: ID...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 300.00
Sold to b*******g for (40.00 + 8.40BP) = 48.40
 
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Colorado State Mine Bell Signal Sign1502 - Colorado State Mine Bell Signal Sign
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This 17.5 x 36" sign probably pre-dates 1910. Old blue enamel with white. Numerous repairs throughout. A very attractive older (possibly first ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 800.00 - 1,500.00
Sold to G****d for (950.00 + 228.00BP) = 1,178.00
 
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Colorado Bureau of Mines Bell  Signals Sign1503 - Colorado Bureau of Mines Bell Signals Sign
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Ivory enamel with black lettering. 12 x 26 inches, excellent condition. 27 lines of instruction including "7 BELLS - DANGER." State:Col...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 600.00 - 2,000.00
Sold to 8***1 for (375.00 + 78.75BP) = 453.75
 
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Colorado Mine Bell Signal Sign on Cloth1504 - Colorado Mine Bell Signal Sign on Cloth
Holabird Western Americana Collections
John T Joyce, Commissioner of Mines. Made by Schwartz Printing Company, Denver. Circa 1917. 13 x 34". Framed. Shows some wear. State:Colorado ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 500.00
Sold to 9***7 for (80.00 + 16.80BP) = 96.80
 
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Pair of Colorado Mine Bell Signal Signs1505 - Pair of Colorado Mine Bell Signal Signs
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Goes to the 35th level. White paper, circa 1973. A matched pair in white frame frames. 14 x 28". State:Colorado City: Date: ID#45952
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to J**********a for (80.00 + 16.80BP) = 96.80
 
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White Metal Sign1506 - White Metal Sign
Holabird Western Americana Collections
No riding this hoist for personnel. 12 x 15". Black on reflective yellow surface, thick metal. Used and collected in Colorado. Nice condition....
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to b*******g for (100.00 + 21.00BP) = 121.00
 
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Danger Open Grizzly Sign1507 - Danger Open Grizzly Sign
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Metal sign. Danger open grizzly. 10 x 14". Red black-and-white on metal. Excellent condition. Collected and used in Colorado. State:Colorado ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to 8***1 for (170.00 + 35.70BP) = 205.70
 
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Blasting Metal Sign1508 - Blasting Metal Sign
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Blasting times shows day and night shift blasting times. Stonehouse Signs, Denver. 10 x 14". Red and white on metal. Excellent condition. Colle...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
Sold to S*****3 for (110.00 + 26.40BP) = 136.40
 
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Group of Five Underground Mine Signs1509 - Group of Five Underground Mine Signs
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Two 7 x 14" "this way out". One "man way up. Same size. Two emergency exit signs 4 x 24", five Stonehouse Signs, Denver. Co...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to 8***1 for (85.00 + 17.85BP) = 102.85
 
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Three Metal Mine Signs1510 - Three Metal Mine Signs
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A) all injuries must be reported by Stonehouse Signs Denver, 10 x 14". B) do not pass left crossbar Black on yellow 8 x 14" enamel. C. eme...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
 
 
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Notice To Employees Mining Sign1511 - Notice To Employees Mining Sign
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Blue enamel with white lettering: "NOTICE TO EMPLOYEES - all lights in this building are to be kept turned off when not needed for working. / ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 700.00
Sold to 9***7 for (100.00 + 21.00BP) = 121.00
 
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Ropes Shaft Signal Sign1512 - Ropes Shaft Signal Sign
Holabird Western Americana Collections
White enamel with black lettering. 14 x 20 inches. Listing Command Bells and Call Bells (for station identification). A gold mine north of Ishpeming.
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 250.00 | Estimate : 500.00 - 1,000.00
 
 
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Please Wipe Your Feet Sign1513 - Please Wipe Your Feet Sign
Holabird Western Americana Collections
From the Power Company of Joplin Missouri. White letters on blue enamel. 11 x 4 1/2 inches "Please Wipe Your Feet / before entering this buildi...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to M*********n for (55.00 + 13.20BP) = 68.20
 
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Montana Mine Bell Signal Sign1514 - Montana Mine Bell Signal Sign
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Thick paper. Framed. Montana Hardware Company. They were the distributors for the Anaconda Mining Company at Butte. Goes to 50 levels. 13 x 37"...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to 8***1 for (100.00 + 21.00BP) = 121.00
 
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Gold Hill Code of Mine Signals1515 - Gold Hill Code of Mine Signals
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Two fabric posters with State of Nevada Code of Mine Signals from Gold Hill, date from mine inspector. State:Nevada City:Gold Hill Date: ID#468
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to S*****3 for (110.00 + 26.40BP) = 136.40
 
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Mine Bell Signal Sign1516 - Mine Bell Signal Sign
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Nevada Mine Bell Signal Sign. Goes to the 15th level. AJ Stinson inspector of mines, state printing office. Stinson was Inspector of Mines from roughl
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold to 8*****H for (75.00 + 18.00BP) = 93.00
 
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“Man Hoist Signals” Sign1517 - “Man Hoist Signals” Sign
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Stonehouse sign, Denver. “Prepared for the Warren Foundry and Pipe Corporation”. Goes to the 25 loading pocket level. White and black paint on tin. 14
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 900.00
Sold to 9***7 for (200.00 + 42.00BP) = 242.00
 
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Two Identical Size White Enamel SIgns1518 - Two Identical Size White Enamel SIgns
Holabird Western Americana Collections
One for the shaft and the other with an arrow pointing to the direction of the shaft 6.5 x 14" each. This pair came from the Sterling Hill Mine...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to T******1 for (85.00 + 17.85BP) = 102.85
 
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Three Mining Signs1519 - Three Mining Signs
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of three: 1) White lettering on red enamel, 10 x 7 inches. "Emergency / To Stop Hoist / Pull Red Handle." From Sterling Hill, New Jers...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to b*******g for (100.00 + 21.00BP) = 121.00
 
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Elektrika DANGER sign1520 - Elektrika DANGER sign
Holabird Western Americana Collections
White lettering on red enamel, 6 x 12 inches. "Elektrika / DANGER / Nebespecne / Veszely / Peligro / N.J. Z. Co. Safety com." New Jersey Z...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to W******2 for (200.00 + 48.00BP) = 248.00
 
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