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
Choose Your Layout > Switch to Grid View Switch to List View
Pictorial Cover--Cracker Jack Box & Letter1041 - Pictorial Cover--Cracker Jack Box & Letter
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Pictorial cover--Cracker Jack Box and letter. Letter is from Rueckheim Bros. & Eckstein Manufacturing Confectioners. Cracker Jack, Chicago. sent...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 50.00 - 100.00
Sold to l*******c for (35.00 + 8.40BP) = 43.40
 
Details...Bookmark
California Powder Works Cover & Letter1042 - California Powder Works Cover & Letter
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Cover and letter from The California Powder Works (explosives), San Francisco to S. R. Buford, Virginia City, Mont., 1888. State:Montana City:Virg
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to g*********1 for (120.00 + 28.80BP) = 148.80
 
Details...Bookmark
Pictorial Cover & Letter1043 - Pictorial Cover & Letter
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Nice Vignette on envelope--"We Serve The World's Fair at St,. Louis-1904, Branch House, Salt Lake city, Utah" from Chas. Rippe Tent &a...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 50.00 - 100.00
Sold to l*******c for (25.00 + 6.00BP) = 31.00
 
Details...Bookmark
3 Food Covers, 2 Pictorial1044 - 3 Food Covers, 2 Pictorial
Holabird Western Americana Collections
3 food related covers, 2 are pictorial--1) Briggs, Cooper & Co. image of Home Brand Peaches, St. Paul, Minn, 1908 to Buford Merc Co., Virginia C...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 35.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
 
 
Details...Bookmark
H. L. Griffin Pictorial Cover & Letter1045 - H. L. Griffin Pictorial Cover & Letter
Holabird Western Americana Collections
H. L. Griffin Pictorial cover & letter. H. L. Griffin, established 1881, Ogden, Utah, Imported Fruits A Specialty. sent to S. R. Buford Virginia...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 50.00 - 100.00
Sold to d********e for (25.00 + 6.00BP) = 31.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Mitchell Wagons Pictorial Cover & Letter1046 - Mitchell Wagons Pictorial Cover & Letter
Holabird Western Americana Collections
From L. B. Mattison, Mitchell Wagons and Farm Machinery. Salt Lake City, Utah, 1879 to S. R. Buford, Virginia City, Montana. Very nice vignette of a w
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 60.00 - 100.00
Sold to i*********1 for (60.00 + 14.40BP) = 74.40
 
Details...Bookmark
Cover & Letter from Studebaker Bros. Mfg. Co.1047 - Cover & Letter from Studebaker Bros. Mfg. Co.
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Cover and letter from Studebaker Bros. Mfg. Co., 1897. Studebaker manufactured wagons, carriages and harnesses. The letter discusses a sheep camper wi
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to t********n for (50.00 + 12.00BP) = 62.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Pictorial--Staver Carriage Co. Cover and Letter1048 - Pictorial--Staver Carriage Co. Cover and Letter
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Pictorial cover and letter from Staver Carriage Co. Wholesale Manufacturers of Fine Buggies and Carriages, Chicago. Illustration of mfg. plant and log
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 50.00 - 100.00
Sold to l*******c for (25.00 + 6.00BP) = 31.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Covers & Letters from Mitchell & Lewis Co.1049 - Covers & Letters from Mitchell & Lewis Co.
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Two covers, 1 letter and and a statement from Mitchell & Lewis Co. Ltd. manufacturers of the Mitchell Wagon, Farm and Spring. Covers have illust...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold to l*******c for (50.00 + 12.00BP) = 62.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Radersburg Postcard1050 - Radersburg Postcard
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Mailed from Radersburg on April 18, 1881 to the First National bank of Helena. State:Montana City: Date:1881 ID#43923
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 50.00 - 100.00
Sold to d******c for (10.00 + 2.40BP) = 12.40
 
Details...Bookmark
Four Covers with Letters1051 - Four Covers with Letters
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Four covers with letters: New York Life Insurance Co. To Virginia City, MT, 1891; National Loan and Saving Union to Boulder, Montana, 1892; H. Hertbst
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 35.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
 
 
Details...Bookmark
Revenue Stamped 1867 Gold Hill Document1052 - Revenue Stamped 1867 Gold Hill Document
Holabird Western Americana Collections
John D. Stephens $250 loan. Signed by Patrick Henry and Jonathon Grier (?). September 28, 1867. State:Nevada City:Gold Hill Date: ID#46625
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to b*********r for (110.00 + 23.10BP) = 133.10
 
Details...Bookmark
V&T Railroad Advertising Cover to Sutter Creek1053 - V&T Railroad Advertising Cover to Sutter Creek
Holabird Western Americana Collections
"If not delivered in 10 days. Return to Thos. Long. Gold Hill, Nevada." Corner cover says "Virginia and Truckee Railroad Co." Bo...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 50.00 - 100.00
Sold to V********e for (25.00 + 5.00BP) = 30.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Goldfield Postcards1054 - Goldfield Postcards
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Two RPC's of Goldfield, Nevada, Goldfield Hotel and Main Street. One hand-colored card of the US Mail Coach en route to Bullfrog, Nevada. State...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 60.00 - 120.00
Sold to b*********r for (35.00 + 7.35BP) = 42.35
 
Details...Bookmark
Good Hope unlisted Nevada Postal History Cover - 18841055 - Good Hope unlisted Nevada Postal History Cover - 1884
Holabird Western Americana Collections
The 2015 edition of Gamett and Nelson's book on Nevada Postal History list no known examples of this post office. The post office was only open ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 500.00 - 1,000.00
Sold to 9*****e for (1,150.00 + 241.50BP) = 1,391.50
 
Details...Bookmark
Wells Fargo Cover Addressed to Pinto, Nevada1056 - Wells Fargo Cover Addressed to Pinto, Nevada
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Very interesting straight line Wells, Fargo * Co., San Francisco advertising cover. To John Potter, Esq, Supt. Eureka, Nevada. Eureka is crossed out a
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 80.00 - 150.00
Sold to M*********n for (45.00 + 10.80BP) = 55.80
 
Details...Bookmark
Three Views of Reno1057 - Three Views of Reno
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Choice Reno postcards. 2 RPC's: one from train coming into Reno and one of train arrival in Reno (soldiers and large crowd). One cyanotype postc...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 90.00 - 120.00
Sold to 2*****l for (45.00 + 10.80BP) = 55.80
 
Details...Bookmark
Washoe County Bank Cover with an Entire Railroad Advertising Back!1058 - Washoe County Bank Cover with an Entire Railroad Advertising Back!
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1908. See photo. State:Nevada City:Reno Date:1908 ID#46620
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 500.00
Sold to b*********r for (110.00 + 23.10BP) = 133.10
 
Details...Bookmark
Virginia and Truckee RR Advertising Cover1059 - Virginia and Truckee RR Advertising Cover
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Fabulous V&T railroad postal hsitory piece. Corner advertising on top left and bottom left has " R. R. Business" which has been crosse...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 400.00
Sold to K*****5 for (80.00 + 16.80BP) = 96.80
 
Details...Bookmark
RPC of Logging Scene1060 - RPC of Logging Scene
Holabird Western Americana Collections
RPC of logging scene near Verdi, Nevada. Postmarked Verdi Nevada, 1907. State:Nevada City:Verdi Date:1907 ID#44112
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to j***d for (50.00 + 10.50BP) = 60.50
 
Details...Bookmark