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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Miners' Candlestick With Unique Hook1141 - Miners' Candlestick With Unique Hook
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This is a right hook miners' candlestick with a unique hook. The base of the hook is a triangle shaped support with 2 connection points to the ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold to f*****E for (150.00 + 36.00BP) = 186.00
 
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Large, Sturdy Miners' Candlestick1142 - Large, Sturdy Miners' Candlestick
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A large, sturdy right hook miners' candlestick. This one was made to last! It has a tall, thin, teardrop shaped handle (2.75 inch diameter) not...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 75.00 | Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
 
 
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19th Centruy Crude Miners Candlestick1143 - 19th Centruy Crude Miners Candlestick
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A large, slightly crude, 19th century miners candlestick. The top rim of the thimble has a decorative sawtooth pattern around it. The hook is tall a
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 120.00 - 200.00
Sold to p******1 for (45.00 + 10.80BP) = 55.80
 
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Unusual Miners Candlestick Design1144 - Unusual Miners Candlestick Design
Holabird Western Americana Collections
An unusual design, right hook miners candlestick. This is a relatively small stick with the hook and thimble much closer to the front of the spike th
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 600.00
Sold to s*********1 for (150.00 + 31.50BP) = 181.50
 
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Heavy Duty Miners Candlestick1145 - Heavy Duty Miners Candlestick
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A well made, heavy duty, right hook miners candlestick. There are a few decorative grooves on the thumb lever and handle neck that add additional fla
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to 8***1 for (95.00 + 19.95BP) = 114.95
 
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Two Unusual Thin Miners Candlesticks1146 - Two Unusual Thin Miners Candlesticks
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Two unusual thin hook miners candlesticks. One is a small sized (9.5 inches long), wire thin right hook riveted into the handle neck. There is a sma
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
 
 
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Miners Candlestick With Unusual Candle Holder1147 - Miners Candlestick With Unusual Candle Holder
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A left hook varcets miners candlestick. This has a unique candle holder where a piece of metal riveted to the thimble branches off with one part acti
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
Sold to p******1 for (60.00 + 14.40BP) = 74.40
 
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Right Hook Assembled Blacksmith Candlestick1148 - Right Hook Assembled Blacksmith Candlestick
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Unique design blacksmith candlestick. There is no visible stamp or marking. 10.5" inches long and made of steel, two piece assembled stick. No ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 300.00
Sold to p******1 for (55.00 + 13.20BP) = 68.20
 
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Left Hook Fancy Blacksmith Candlestick1149 - Left Hook Fancy Blacksmith Candlestick
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This candlestick features twisting and wavy ornamentation on the spike and hook. There is no markings. One-piece steel. 12.25" inches long and ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 350.00
Sold to p******1 for (120.00 + 28.80BP) = 148.80
 
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Left Hook Miners' Candlestick1150 - Left Hook Miners' Candlestick
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This is a manufactured miner's candlestick with original black varnish. There is no wide ridge center on this one. One-piece steel design with n...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to E*****1 for (55.00 + 13.20BP) = 68.20
 
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Heavy Duty Left Hook Miner's Candlestick1151 - Heavy Duty Left Hook Miner's Candlestick
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This is a heavy 13" standard candlestick. Three-piece steel with wide ridge center. It measures 13.25" inches long. State: City: Dat...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Two Unique Left Hook Miners' Candlesticks1152 - Two Unique Left Hook Miners' Candlesticks
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of two different blacksmith candlesticks. 1) Two-piece steel with wide ridge center. 11.25" inches long. No marks or stamps. 2) Two-piece s...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
 
 
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Twisted Blacksmith Miners' Candlestick1153 - Twisted Blacksmith Miners' Candlestick
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Unique candlestick with a twisted design on the spike. It appears to be all in one piece and made of steel. 8" inches long, with a wide ridge c...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to V********e for (45.00 + 9.00BP) = 54.00
 
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Partially Cast Model Miners' Candlestick1154 - Partially Cast Model Miners' Candlestick
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This stick is 11" inches long made from steel and secured together by a cast brass collar. According to Wilson and Bobrink the three steel sect...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 500.00
Sold to p********1 for (110.00 + 26.40BP) = 136.40
 
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Miners Candlestick1155 - Miners Candlestick
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This stick is identical to Wilson-Bobrink number 10, except there is no patent date on the stick. As such, it may be a precursor to the 1890 model. Th
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to m********1 for (100.00 + 24.00BP) = 124.00
 
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Fancy Heavy Duty Miners Candlestick1156 - Fancy Heavy Duty Miners Candlestick
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Fancy right hook miners candlestick. Heavy duty with a relatively thick composition of metal throughout. The hook is medium sized and rounded and th
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 120.00 - 200.00
Sold to 8*****H for (45.00 + 10.80BP) = 55.80
 
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Two Similar Miners Candlesticks1157 - Two Similar Miners Candlesticks
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Two right hook blacksmith miners candlesticks that has similar construction. The handles are slightly different teardrop shape with one being more ro
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to 8*****H for (75.00 + 18.00BP) = 93.00
 
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Fancy Blacksmith Miners Candlestick1158 - Fancy Blacksmith Miners Candlestick
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A fancy right hook blacksmith miners candlestick. The spike has small cuts ("gingerbread bevels") and the thimble has a saw tooth pattern...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 120.00 - 250.00
Sold to 8***1 for (85.00 + 17.85BP) = 102.85
 
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Three Small Miners Candlesticks1159 - Three Small Miners Candlesticks
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Three small right hook blacksmith miners candlesticks. All have slightly different handles (2 tall and thin, 1 more rounded) and hooks (2 square, 1 r
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 240.00 - 350.00
Sold to 8***1 for (110.00 + 23.10BP) = 133.10
 
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Unusual Hook-less Miners Candlestick1160 - Unusual Hook-less Miners Candlestick
Holabird Western Americana Collections
An unusual high quality miners candlestick with no hook. It was made with no hook as there is no point of attachment for a hook. The thumb lever bro
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 80.00 - 130.00
Sold to 8*****H for (45.00 + 10.80BP) = 55.80
 
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