Gold Rush Auction

Auction Details

Welcome to our Gold Rush sale of 2018!!

The sale features the Al Adams Gold Rush Memorabilia Collection
and a number of other prominent collections.

Mr. Adams has been collecting for over 40 years, and along the way assembled perhaps the best collection in private hands, making this sale a “Once in a Lifetime Event.” His specialty is an area few Americans ever knew about- the Georgia - North Carolina gold rush, c1799-1840’s, literally decades before the California Gold Rush. Just think about some of the great pieces in this collection:

*The first Gold Company stock certificate (1807)

*1830 Letter from Georgia Bank to US Mint asking what to do with the gold coming in

*Gold Lottery Tickets for Georgia land

*Gold Lot Deeds with Medals rarely seen by collectors

*Pigeon Roost Mining Co. scrip collection (1835-1838), possibly the finest assembled

*Belfast Mining Co. scrip collection (1830’s), finest assembled

*Dahlonega, Charlotte, San Francisco, Carson City, Denver, New Orleans, Philadelphia Mint gold bullion receipts

*Gold Rush era private assayer bullion receipts from California, Nevada, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Arizona

*1840’s, 1850’s and 1860’s mining company stock certificates from both the east (Appalachian gold belt) and the West (California, Nevada, Colorado) – the best offering to date.

*Over two dozen different Nevada territorial stock certificates.

These tidbits are part of this unique sale, which makes it the best offering of its kind in history.

The Gold Rush sale is nothing short of phenomenal.

The Gold Rush Setting

Here is the setting under which the gold discoveries in Georgia and North Carolina were made:

…Imagine a world before the civil war, before the gold rush, right after the United States was formed. We had just created our first coinage in the early to mid 1790’s. As a country, we had just 16 states by 1800, which crept up to 24 states by 1821 and remained there for 15 years! Development of the areas south and west of and in the original 13 states was slow. It was called the “western frontier”. The “America” then consisted of Native Americans and expats from western Europe looking for a better life. Most were farmers or merchants. The “scientists” of the western world remained in western Europe. Mankind dint know much about geology- indeed, the first geologic map was printed in Europe in 1799, and it would take another 25-30 years before we had anything similar in America. The science of ore deposits was not well understood, and was only just recently out from under the mystique of Alchemy.

Enter the discovery of a gold nugget in North Carolina in 1799. It took fully 29 years before substantive gold discoveries were made in Georgia and North Carolina. Here is the amazing part- these discoveries were made from good-old American ingenuity. Not one single miner had an education in mining in Europe. As far as is known, not a single man in the Georgia, North Carolina gold rush had been a miner. These men developed the ability to look for gold and mining systems on their own in the American wilderness, a marvelous feat of accomplishment – a true iconic part of American ingenuity at its best.

More on the Auction

To add to this remarkable collection are hundreds of mining artifacts, including many collected from Georgia mines, as well as a fantastic Numismatic library inclusive of many rarities.

*Other collections featured include the collection of Robert Bennett, a well known mining geologist who spent a good part of his career working the Goldfield district. During his 45-plus year career, he collected high grade ore specimens from many major mines he was lucky enough to work on, and these are dutifully included in this sale, as are gold and fabulous turquoise specimens from longtime collector Jerry Gray of Carson City.

*Our friend Vern Potter, a national ephemera dealer known to all, retired from the business and gave us his massive collection, some of which is here, including gold rush era exchanges, important maps, and special documents you haven’t seen in decades (more in coming sales!). Added to this are pieces from the Ken Prag Collection, which keeps on coming with great rarities!

*Gold rush era coins, such as a complete Hart gold token set, -all graded and holdered; a number of Carson City coins; a fabulous 999 fine golden egg custom made for an Arizona collector in 1982; gold rush era soda bottles in hues of cobalt blue, teal, green from San Francisco, Sacramento and Savannah; Nevada mining camp bottles; Pawnee Bill full color posters – an integral part of Western history all supplement an otherwise terrific sale; and choice western mining photographs.

*Rare books with a mining theme are also present, from several collections, including the Robert Fulton collection (former head of Univ. Nevada, reno in the 1920’s). A key piece from one of the collections is an inscribed Sutro Tunnel book to Melville Atwood from the “Father of Arizona” Charles D. Poston.

*The mining stock certificate collections offered here are among the best ever offered by us. They include four major collections. including the Laguna Collection of rare Arizona stocks, part of a major Bodie collection, antique firearms, and rare Tahoe gaming chips.

*Western revenue checks with a focus on the Comstock Lode

Auction Schedule

Day One (Lots 1000-1755)
Numismatics (1000-1577)
U.S. Mint (1000-1068)
Coins & Coins Collectibles (1069-1208)
Ingots (1209-1215)
Currency, Scrip, & Currency Collectibles (1216-1357)
Checks & Exchanges (1358-1424)
Tokens (1425-1489)
Medals (1490-1553)
Scales (1554-1581)

Wells Fargo & Other Express (1582-1693)
Adams & Co. (1582-1606)
Wells Fargo (1607-1676)
Other Express (1677-1693)

World’s Fair & Expositions (1694-1707)

Gaming (1708-1728)

Jewelry & Watches (1729-1755)


Day Two (Lots 1756-1770) & (Lots 2000-2731)
Gold Nuggets & Specimens (1756-1770)
Minerals (2000-2149)
Mining Part I (2150-2731)
Assay (2150-2278)
Explosives (2279-2291)
Mining Lighting (2292-2298)
Mining Artifacts & Tools (2299-2231)
Mining Art (2232-2354)
Geographic (Alabama-California) (2355-2731)

Day Three (Lots 3000-3727)
Mining Part II
Geographic (Colorado-Foreign) (3000-3691)
Books (3692-3727)

Day Four (Lots 4000-4717)
Bottles (4000-4094)
Railroadiana (4095-4222)
Passes (4095-4176)
Ephemera (4177-4222)
Civil War (4223-4259)
Pawnee Bill Broadsides (4260 & 4261)
Firearms & Weaponry (4262-4315)
General Americana feat. California & Georgia Gold Rush Ephemera
Geographic Sort (4316-4637)
Miscellaneous incl. Art, General Store, Maps, & Books (4638-4717)





SHIPPING & HANDLING: Shipping and Handling cannot be estimated prior to invoicing, based on the size and weight of your purchase. All shipping is subject to a minimum charge of $19.00. If additional shipping and handling costs are required, the buyer will be reinvoiced for the balance due. Items are not shipped until the invoice is completely paid. Many buyers purchase a number of lots. Every effort will be made to include all lots in a single shipping charge calculated to cover the weight and size of the package(s). NOTE: Some shipments (of unusual size, dimension, or weight) may require sp...
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Statutes of Oklahoma 18934605 - Statutes of Oklahoma 1893
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This is an over 1300-page volume containing the statutes and laws of the Oklahoma Indian Territory in the year 1893. Very worn and missing its spine,
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 50.00 - 100.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (25.00 + 6.25BP) = 31.25
 
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Larrabee & Edmonds Attorneys writing to Milwaukee about an Estate (Death on a Steamer)4606 - Larrabee & Edmonds Attorneys writing to Milwaukee about an Estate (Death on a Steamer)
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Two letters on Larrabee & Edmonds, Attorneys, Portland, Oregon. The first is dated April 18, 1867 on steamship Henry Chauncey near Aspinwall (dr...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 75.00 | Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
 
 
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History of the Pacific States by Bancroft (2)4607 - History of the Pacific States by Bancroft (2)
Holabird Western Americana Collections
History of the Pacific States, 24 Oregon Vol. 1 1834-48 789pp, 1886. Vol. XXV Oregon Vol II 1848-1888, 808pp, 1888. Rebound. Contains early history o
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 120.00 - 200.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (60.00 + 15.00BP) = 75.00
 
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Map of  the Surveyed Portions of Oregon Territory, 18524608 - Map of the Surveyed Portions of Oregon Territory, 1852
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This map was made during the gold rush period, it was signed by Surveyor General B. Preston. Litho By Al Hoen & Co. This shows Marysville & ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 700.00
Sold to 4*******x for (150.00 + 37.50BP) = 187.50
 
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John Thorp 1855 United States Citizenship Papers4609 - John Thorp 1855 United States Citizenship Papers
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Oath of allegiance sworn before prothonotary James Gibson. Thorp's signature is large and bold as if to show how proud he was. 8.5 x 14". R...
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Start Price : 50.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
 
 
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Philadelphia & Lancaster Turnpike Road Stock Certificate, 17954610 - Philadelphia & Lancaster Turnpike Road Stock Certificate, 1795
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This is an incredible stock with large historical significance. No. 117. Issued March 16th, 1795 for one share to Joseph Burd of the County of Dauphin
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 500.00 | Estimate : 1,000.00 - 2,000.00
 
 
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1829 Pennsylvania Will (Possible Newbold Estate)4611 - 1829 Pennsylvania Will (Possible Newbold Estate)
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Four page legal document dated December 1829. Last will and testament of Benjamin Hartley of Washington County Pennsylvania. Three pages. Possibly fro
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 30.00 | Estimate : 60.00 - 200.00
 
 
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1851 Pennsylvania Legal Document, Matthias Aspden4612 - 1851 Pennsylvania Legal Document, Matthias Aspden
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Large legal document, Doan and family and Matthias Aspden of Philadelphia, September 1851. Aspden was from a very wealthy Philadelphia family from a s
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
 
 
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1841 Texas Naval Appropriation.4613 - 1841 Texas Naval Appropriation.
Holabird Western Americana Collections
City of Austin granting boatswain John Brown (signature on back) $25 when the first appropriations are made. Texas was a sovereign country at this tim
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 50.00 - 100.00
Sold to L******7 for (170.00 + 42.50BP) = 212.50
 
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George Wilson Billheads and Receipts (5)4614 - George Wilson Billheads and Receipts (5)
Holabird Western Americana Collections
c. 1860-1866, includes multi colored and pictorial furniture and piano items. (Potter Collection) Date: Location: Memphis, Tennessee HWAC# 589
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
 
 
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Medotopes Container4615 - Medotopes Container
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Metal canister 3 1/2 inches tall, 1 3/4 inches in diameter. Engraved on the top is "Medotopes / Squibb." The ziploc bag provided by the c...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 25.00 | Estimate : 50.00 - 100.00
 
 
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Mormon Letter4616 - Mormon Letter
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Letter from Samuel Russell to Dr,. Brother regarding coming 200 miles from a Mormon camp in Mexico to Smithville, a settlement on the Gila River in AZ
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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A Visit to Salt Lake, Chandless, 18574617 - A Visit to Salt Lake, Chandless, 1857
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Rare Gold Rush era volume on a "journey across the Plains" by Chandless, published by Smith, Elder & Co., London. 346pp and 16pp of ad...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 200.00 | Estimate : 400.00 - 1,000.00
 
 
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Soldier's Trip to the Couer d'Alene Mission4618 - Soldier's Trip to the Couer d'Alene Mission
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Datelined Couer d Lane (sic), W. T. September 16, 1860. Three pages. Small size. "We should reach Fort Walla Walla in a few days." "W...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to f********n for (400.00 + 100.00BP) = 500.00
 
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Walla Walla Washington letter with local news4619 - Walla Walla Washington letter with local news
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Three and 1/3 pages of news. Much of this letter is personal, but there are gems that point to the history of America's Westward Expansion. The ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to l********q for (110.00 + 27.50BP) = 137.50
 
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Ringling Bros. Circus and Barnum & Bailey Combined Shows Season Pass, 19534620 - Ringling Bros. Circus and Barnum & Bailey Combined Shows Season Pass, 1953
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Uniussed, very colorful and pictorial. Pass for the 1953 season. "The Greatest Show on Earth." Vignette of elephants, a clown and a horse....
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 60.00 - 100.00
Sold to i**b for (30.00 + 7.50BP) = 37.50
 
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Original (Discovery Piece?) Letter about an Expedition to Wisconsin4621 - Original (Discovery Piece?) Letter about an Expedition to Wisconsin
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Four page letter on legal sized paper to W. T. Williams dated February 20, 1835. Difficult to read, but we can give you a glimpse as to what is inside
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 500.00
Sold to M****4 for (170.00 + 42.50BP) = 212.50
 
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Map of Michigan & Wisconsin, 18444622 - Map of Michigan & Wisconsin, 1844
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Beautiful map engraved & hand colored by Robinson. Map of Michigan, Wisconsin & part of Iowa. To illustrate Olney's School of Geography...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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Map of Wisconsin & Michigan, 18644623 - Map of Wisconsin & Michigan, 1864
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Double truck, hand color pp. 49 & 50, this map is showing the Quina Peninsula & has a vignette showing the Straits of Mackinaw. On Mat Board...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (100.00 + 25.00BP) = 125.00
 
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Map of Wyoming, 18834624 - Map of Wyoming, 1883
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lithography & color by Hardesty, p. 156. Slight tear at bottom left, does not encroach on map. On Mat Board (not adhered) with plastic covers. I...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
 
 
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