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.
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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Galena lead Mining Informational Booklet1121 - Galena lead Mining Informational Booklet
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Informational booklet on the lead production in the town of Galena. 8 pages, with mining information and images. Printed by Arthur S. McNay. State:
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 60.00 - 150.00
Sold to m********y for (70.00 + 14.70BP) = 84.70
 
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One Hundred and Fifth Meeting of the American Institute of Mining Engineers1122 - One Hundred and Fifth Meeting of the American Institute of Mining Engineers
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Beautiful and rare leather bound book for the 1913 Butte Meeting of the American Institute of Mining Engineers. This booklet features information on t
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to m********y for (40.00 + 8.40BP) = 48.40
 
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The Silver Mines of Nevada1123 - The Silver Mines of Nevada
Holabird Western Americana Collections
In was 1865 and the legendary silver mines of the new state of Nevada were on everyone's mind back east. So, along comes this book with everythi...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 600.00 - 1,200.00
Sold to m********y for (1,000.00 + 210.00BP) = 1,210.00
 
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The First "Bancroft's Band-Book of Mining of the Pacific States"1124 - The First "Bancroft's Band-Book of Mining of the Pacific States"
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This is a very rare important historical and research work that focuses on California and the new mining districts in Nevada. Chapters include: Histor
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold to m********y for (275.00 + 57.75BP) = 332.75
 
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The Black Hills Illustrated, 19041125 - The Black Hills Illustrated, 1904
Holabird Western Americana Collections
The Black Hills Illustrated, A Terse Description of Conditions Past and Present of America's Greatest Mineral Belt. Edited and published under t...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to m********y for (110.00 + 23.10BP) = 133.10
 
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Homestake Mining Company Historical Company Books1126 - Homestake Mining Company Historical Company Books
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of two books. 1) Homestake the Centennial History of America's Greatest Gold Mine, by William Bronson and T.H. Watkins. 1977. It was written...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
Sold to m********y for (50.00 + 10.50BP) = 60.50
 
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Utah's Great Mining Districts1127 - Utah's Great Mining Districts
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Historical outline of Utah's mining districts. The districts include Bingham, Tintic, Park City, Mercur, Marysvale, Gold Mountain, Deep Creek, a...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to m********y for (55.00 + 11.55BP) = 66.55
 
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Report of the Progress the Geological Survey of the State of Virginia for the Year 18381128 - Report of the Progress the Geological Survey of the State of Virginia for the Year 1838
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Written by William B. Rogers, Professor of Natural Philosophy in the University of Virginia. 32 pages without original cover. The pages have be reboun
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to m********y for (80.00 + 16.80BP) = 96.80
 
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Australian Mining and Metallurgy1129 - Australian Mining and Metallurgy
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Written by Donald Clark, B.C.E. Special Commissioner to the Australian Mining Standard. First edition. Critchley Parker, Melbourne, Sydney & Per...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to b*********r for (140.00 + 29.40BP) = 169.40
 
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1907 Mineral Report of British Columbia1130 - 1907 Mineral Report of British Columbia
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A short history of mining in the province of British Columbia, a synopsis of the mining laws, statistics of mineral production to date and a brief sum
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
Sold to m********y for (60.00 + 12.60BP) = 72.60
 
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"A Description of Minerals of Commercial Value" by Barringer1131 - "A Description of Minerals of Commercial Value" by Barringer
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A Practical Reference-book for the Miner, Prospector, and Business Man, or any Person who may be interested in the Extraction or Treatment of the Vari
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 60.00 - 100.00
Sold to m********y for (85.00 + 17.85BP) = 102.85
 
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"A Collector's Guide to Antique Miners' Candlesticks1132 - "A Collector's Guide to Antique Miners' Candlesticks
Holabird Western Americana Collections
The "candlestick bible" by Wilson & Bobrink. Worn and used, but contains the price guide and is signed by Bobrink. All pages are firml...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold to m********y for (130.00 + 27.30BP) = 157.30
 
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Small Unused Miners' Candlestick1133 - Small Unused Miners' Candlestick
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A small right hook miners' candlestick that seems practically unused with much of the original finish still in tact. It has a more thin, tall t...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 80.00 - 120.00
Sold to m********1 for (35.00 + 8.40BP) = 43.40
 
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Five Sperated Miners' Candlesticks1134 - Five Sperated Miners' Candlesticks
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Five right hook miners' candlesticks with separated centers. All are unbrazed with a couple having seen next to no use. The handles all tend t...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 600.00
Sold to g*****9 for (150.00 + 36.00BP) = 186.00
 
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Two Nice Miners' candlesticks1135 - Two Nice Miners' candlesticks
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Two nice right hook miners' candlesticks with tall hooks. One has a rounded spike and it's hook is rounded and thin, while the other has a ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
Sold to p******1 for (65.00 + 15.60BP) = 80.60
 
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Three Unusual Miners' Candlesticks1136 - Three Unusual Miners' Candlesticks
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Three right hook unusual, blacksmith miners' candlesticks. Two are brazed at center and have rounded handles measuring 2 and 1.5 inches in diam...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
Sold to r********y.. for (75.00 + 15.75BP) = 90.75
 
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Three Different Miners' Candlesticks1137 - Three Different Miners' Candlesticks
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Three different right hook miners' candlesticks of different construction. One is a brazed center, very small round handle (1.5 inches in diame...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
Sold to m********1 for (85.00 + 20.40BP) = 105.40
 
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Three Tall, Left Hook Miners' Candlesticks1138 - Three Tall, Left Hook Miners' Candlesticks
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Three left hook miners' candlesticks with tall, thin handles. All are teardrop shaped (2.5 - 3 inch diameter) with brazed centers. One has a w...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to p******1 for (90.00 + 21.60BP) = 111.60
 
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Three Unusual Left hook Miners' Candlesticks1139 - Three Unusual Left hook Miners' Candlesticks
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Three left hook unique miners' candlesticks. One has a wide center ridge, a slightly longer thumb lever and a hook that starts slightly thicker...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to p******1 for (110.00 + 26.40BP) = 136.40
 
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Blacksmith Miners' Candlestick1140 - Blacksmith Miners' Candlestick
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A right hook blacksmith miners' candlestick. It has a thick, tall handle that gradiates from thin to thick from handle neck (1.94 inches diamet...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to t********n.. for (70.00 + 14.70BP) = 84.70
 
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