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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Rare Green on White Dahlonega Gold Mining Company Stock Certificate3200 - Rare Green on White Dahlonega Gold Mining Company Stock Certificate
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This very rare and early stock certificate is number 1704 for 100 shares issued to G Page in 1879. Signed by president Loring L Lombard and secretary
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to c********3 for (140.00 + 35.00BP) = 175.00
 
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Standard Gold Mining Company of Dahlonega Stock Certificate 13201 - Standard Gold Mining Company of Dahlonega Stock Certificate 1
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1900. Number 139 issued to Frank Stillman for 4,000 shares. Signed by secretary RC Thomson and president JW Adams. Seven small underground mining vign
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 40.00 - 80.00
Sold to d********r for (110.00 + 27.50BP) = 137.50
 
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Standard Gold Mining Company of Dahlonega Stock Certificate 23202 - Standard Gold Mining Company of Dahlonega Stock Certificate 2
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1900. Number 360 issued to HD Bassett for 700 shares. Signed by secretary RC Thomson and president JW Adams. Seven small underground mining vignettes.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 40.00 - 80.00
Sold to d******t for (85.00 + 21.25BP) = 106.25
 
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Wooden Model of Stamp Mill No. 783203 - Wooden Model of Stamp Mill No. 78
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Nine inch tall working wooden model of Stamp Mill No. 78. Marked on the bottom "Earl Neal / June 6, 2008." Turn the wheel and the stamps m...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 60.00 - 120.00
Sold to C*****4 for (60.00 + 15.00BP) = 75.00
 
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"Gold in Georgia" One of the great Georgia Rarities3204 - "Gold in Georgia" One of the great Georgia Rarities
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Considered an informal prospectus of the Chestatee Hydraulic Mining Company and unarguably the most important geologic report from early Georgia minin
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,500.00 - 2,500.00
Sold to c********3 for (1,400.00 + 350.00BP) = 1,750.00
 
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Contract from Benjamin Parks (credited with the first gold nugget) and Freedman Benjamin Elrod3205 - Contract from Benjamin Parks (credited with the first gold nugget) and Freedman Benjamin Elrod
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This one year contract gave a man of color - a freedman - named Benjamin Elrod land to farm in payment for 80 bushels of corn. There will be no charge
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 3,000.00
Sold to e********v for (2,500.00 + 625.00BP) = 3,125.00
 
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The Parks Gold Mining Company Stock Certificate3206 - The Parks Gold Mining Company Stock Certificate
Holabird Western Americana Collections
RARE! Early Georgia Gold Mining Stock Certificate. Number 21 for 100 shares to S. Henry Morse. 1867. Signed by secretary AKP Joy and president Benjami
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 350.00 | Estimate : 700.00 - 1,500.00
 
 
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Hinson Oil, Gas and Development Company Stock Certificate3207 - Hinson Oil, Gas and Development Company Stock Certificate
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Rare Georgia Oil Stock Certificate. Number 32 for 10 shares in 1908 for LB McEwen. Signed by secretary / treasurer John A Cromartie and president Hins
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 50.00 - 100.00
Sold to s*****n for (25.00 + 6.25BP) = 31.25
 
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Marsh Mining Company Stock Certificate (Female President!)3208 - Marsh Mining Company Stock Certificate (Female President!)
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This is a rather unique piece as it has a female president: Mrs. Emma Marsh Renou. To make it more interesting the secretary/treasurer was J. L. Renou
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 40.00 - 60.00
Sold to s*****n for (20.00 + 5.00BP) = 25.00
 
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Pair of Marsh Mining Company Stock Certificates3209 - Pair of Marsh Mining Company Stock Certificates
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Native American vignette! Numbers 26 and 29 issued to Mrs. Emma Marsh Renow for two shares in 1920. Signed by secretary and treasurer J. L. Renow and
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 50.00 - 80.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (25.00 + 6.25BP) = 31.25
 
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Deposition as Fitness of Stephenson to run Mill3210 - Deposition as Fitness of Stephenson to run Mill
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This is a rare Confederate mining letter. The Confederates kept the mints alive only in 1861 and then shut them down. This appears to be an early job
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 3,000.00
Sold to s*****n for (3,400.00 + 850.00BP) = 4,250.00
 
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Etowah Gold Mining Company Stock Certificate3211 - Etowah Gold Mining Company Stock Certificate
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Extra Rare! Number 318 for 100 shares to John C Berwind in 1890. Signed by secretary Fred C Exter and president TJ Cheney. Mine specific vignette: Ind
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 250.00 | Estimate : 500.00 - 1,000.00
 
 
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Etowah Gold Mining and Milling Company Prospectus3212 - Etowah Gold Mining and Milling Company Prospectus
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This eight page prospectus lists officers, directors, history, reports of experts, developments, the mill, and estimated dividends. Owned by the Minin
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
Sold to s*****n for (75.00 + 18.75BP) = 93.75
 
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Lumpkin Chestatee Mining Company Stock Certificate3213 - Lumpkin Chestatee Mining Company Stock Certificate
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Number 462 for 100 shares to Joseph K. Wing. Very nice condition. Ink is fading a little. Left hand corners are dog earred. Smallest rip at top of lef
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 800.00
Sold to d********r for (325.00 + 81.25BP) = 406.25
 
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Windom Silver Currency and Stock Certificate3214 - Windom Silver Currency and Stock Certificate
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1) Lumpkin Chestatee Mining Company Stock Certificate. Number 460 for four hundred shares to Joseph K. Wing. Uncancelled. This is the best of the Lump
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 300.00 | Estimate : 600.00 - 1,000.00
 
 
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Lincoln Gold & Copper Mining Company Prospectus3215 - Lincoln Gold & Copper Mining Company Prospectus
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of three. 1) 18 page prospectus. Drawing of Lincoln on front cover. Two full page maps. Twelve photographs. 7.25 x 9.25". Folded verticall...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to s*****n for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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Nacoochee Gold Mining Company Stock Certificate3216 - Nacoochee Gold Mining Company Stock Certificate
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Number 147 for 10 shares issued to George A Root in 1880. Miners on break vignette. Signed by secretary Wilcox and president Josiah Curtis. Some foxin
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 2,000.00
Sold to p********w.. for (400.00 + 100.00BP) = 500.00
 
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Addie May Mining Company Stock Certificate 13217 - Addie May Mining Company Stock Certificate 1
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This is the earliest and best of the two stocks for sale in this auction. Number 96 for 100 shares to George L Church in 1892. Signed by president Wa
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 80.00 - 150.00
Sold to c*********p for (40.00 + 10.00BP) = 50.00
 
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Addie May Mining Company Stock Certificate 23218 - Addie May Mining Company Stock Certificate 2
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Number 112 for 50 shares to George L Church in 1892. Signed by president Walter L Emery and treasurer Fletcher. The outdoors hard rock mining vignett
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 60.00 - 120.00
Sold to s*****n for (35.00 + 8.75BP) = 43.75
 
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Guarantee Gold Mining Company Collection (Stock, Loan, and Handwritten Document)3219 - Guarantee Gold Mining Company Collection (Stock, Loan, and Handwritten Document)
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Unique grouping! 1) Stock certificate number 33 to Walter Hinchman for 250 shares on September 27, 1879. Signed by treasurer F Dundore and president W
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 800.00
Sold to p********w.. for (150.00 + 37.50BP) = 187.50
 
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