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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Guarantee Gold Mining Company Mortgage Loan3220 - Guarantee Gold Mining Company Mortgage Loan
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Certificate of Mortgage Loan for Charles S. Hinchman for $500. Signed by F Dundore treasurer, William Moorhead president and trustee Frank Tiedemann.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 500.00
Sold to s*****n for (100.00 + 25.00BP) = 125.00
 
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Fighting-Town Mining Company of Georgia Stock Certificate3221 - Fighting-Town Mining Company of Georgia Stock Certificate
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This has to be one of the greatest names for a mining company ever! Incorporated on February 17, 1854 in Georgia. VERY EARLY number 8 for 84 shares to
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 3,000.00
Sold to b*********r for (500.00 + 105.00BP) = 605.00
 
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Spring Place Mining Company of Georgia Stock Certificate Transfer, 1858 Plus Background Material3222 - Spring Place Mining Company of Georgia Stock Certificate Transfer, 1858 Plus Background Material
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Very early 1858 stock certificate transfer for the Spring Place Mining Company of Georgia. Number 45 to Jesse Carter for two shares. From agent LC Dea
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 3,000.00
Sold to C********7 for (550.00 + 137.50BP) = 687.50
 
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Consecutive Pair of Tallapoosa Gold Mining Company Stock Certificates3223 - Consecutive Pair of Tallapoosa Gold Mining Company Stock Certificates
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Numbers 203 and 204 issued in 1901 to SS Schurriner(?). One has a 50c document stamp on the other the stamp is missing the stamp. Signed by John R Mil
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 75.00 | Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
 
 
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Georgia-Alabama Investment and Development Company Stock Certificate3224 - Georgia-Alabama Investment and Development Company Stock Certificate
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Signed by Governor Benjamin Butler Franklin of Massachusetts as president. Number 2309 issued to Henry F Thomas for 5 shares in 1891. This company was
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to m*****r for (110.00 + 27.50BP) = 137.50
 
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North Georgia Land and Manufacturing Company Stock Certificates3225 - North Georgia Land and Manufacturing Company Stock Certificates
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of five. 1) Number 4471 issued to David J Whiteford for 10 shares. Signed by secretary CN Fox, treasurer OF Sampson and president WH Kimball. Larg
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Talapoosa Gold Mining Company Prospectus3226 - Talapoosa Gold Mining Company Prospectus
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1) Prospectus. Stamped JK Tillotsen / Fiscal Agent / Hotel Imperial / New York. Tillotsen was also the vice president. c1902. 9 x 6". 24 pages....
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 500.00
Sold to m*****r for (150.00 + 37.50BP) = 187.50
 
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Tallapoosa Land, Mining & Mfg. Co. Stock Certificate3227 - Tallapoosa Land, Mining & Mfg. Co. Stock Certificate
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Issued to Margaret S Peters in 1888. Number 1818 for 12 shares. Signed by JH PLummer asst. secretary and D Carleton president. Mining Vignette. Condit
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
Sold to s*****n for (170.00 + 42.50BP) = 212.50
 
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Tallapoosa Land, Mining & Mfg. Co. Stock Certificate with a Twist3228 - Tallapoosa Land, Mining & Mfg. Co. Stock Certificate with a Twist
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1) Stick issued to Anna H Sherman in 1887. Number 671 for 20 shares. Signed by JH PLummer asst. secretary, D Carleton treasurer and (?) president. La
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold to m*****r for (160.00 + 40.00BP) = 200.00
 
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Villa Rica Mining Cabinet Card Collection3229 - Villa Rica Mining Cabinet Card Collection
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of ten. Seven distinctively different that tell the story of the Boston & Kennesaw Mining Company. Five have notes on the back as to what th...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 2,000.00
Sold to s*****n for (500.00 + 125.00BP) = 625.00
 
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Seminole Mining Company Prospectus3230 - Seminole Mining Company Prospectus
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This prospectus is 16 pages. 7 x 6". Like new except that the name of the president has been crossed out and the new president is written in in...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 300.00
Sold to s*****n for (70.00 + 17.50BP) = 87.50
 
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Lewis Gold Mining Company Stock Certificate3231 - Lewis Gold Mining Company Stock Certificate
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Cert. #439 issued to George H Dickerman for 4,000 shares. Signed by James A. Woodbury, president, and O. Terry, secretary. Vignette top right of miner
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 500.00 - 1,000.00
Sold to p********w.. for (200.00 + 50.00BP) = 250.00
 
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Seminole Mining Company Stock Certificate3232 - Seminole Mining Company Stock Certificate
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Number 1779 for 100 shares to S Wesselius. Signed by secretary William Mitchell and president W. Wiley. Although mainly regarded as a copper mine, gol
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
 
 
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Gold Deposits of Georgia Hardcover by Yeates3233 - Gold Deposits of Georgia Hardcover by Yeates
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Hardcover, 542pp with index. Excellent historical Georgia gold reference. (Al Adams Gold Rush Memorabilia Collection) Date: 1896 Location: Georg
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
Sold to c********3 for (225.00 + 56.25BP) = 281.25
 
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Gold Deposits of Georgia, Bulletins 4A and 193234 - Gold Deposits of Georgia, Bulletins 4A and 19
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Hardcovers by Geological Survey of Georgia.. Bulletin 4A signed by author S. McCallie 1919, 542pp and very nice condition. Bulletin 19 by Jones, 1909,
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold to 8***1 for (225.00 + 49.50BP) = 274.50
 
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Georgia Gold Rush Books (3)3235 - Georgia Gold Rush Books (3)
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Gold Country 1828-1858 by Spencer, Green Russell and Gold by Spencer, The Neighborhood Mint, Dahlonega in the age of Jackson by Head. Hardcovers (Al
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold to f*****E for (40.00 + 10.00BP) = 50.00
 
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Georgia Gold Mining Books (3)3236 - Georgia Gold Mining Books (3)
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Hardcover Harper's Magazine Vol 59 June to Nov. 1879, 960 pp, spine has 2 breaks. Harper's Magazine Vol. 60 Dec. 1879- May 1880 952pp, spine...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
 
 
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Georgia Gold Rush Books (4)3237 - Georgia Gold Rush Books (4)
Holabird Western Americana Collections
3 The Georgia Gold Rush by Williams, America's First Gold Rush-Gold Fever by Rensi (Al Adams Gold Rush Memorabilia Collection) Date: Locat...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
 
 
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Georgia Gold Rush Books (2)3238 - Georgia Gold Rush Books (2)
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Hardcovers. Auraria-The Story of a Georgia Gold Mining Town by Coulter, The Georgia Gold Rush by Williams (Al Adams Gold Rush Memorabilia Collection)
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to 8***1 for (50.00 + 11.00BP) = 61.00
 
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Five Incorporating Company of Georgia Stock Certificates3239 - Five Incorporating Company of Georgia Stock Certificates
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of five. Numbers 2, 4, 10, 15, and 20. Issued to various for various share amounts in 1909. Signed by president Joseph E. Parker and treasurer and
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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