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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Nine Different Goldfield, Nevada Mining Stock Certificates3380 - Nine Different Goldfield, Nevada Mining Stock Certificates
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 9 issued. Includes: Florence-Goldfield Mining Co. (1911); United Tonopah & Goldfield Mines (1905); Seyler-Humphrey Gold Mining Co. (1908)...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Number 1 stock for 300,000 shares for the Banner Mining Company of Goldfield3381 - Number 1 stock for 300,000 shares for the Banner Mining Company of Goldfield
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Issued to JB Menardi in 1904. Early Goldfield mine. Signed by WS Cox and Henry Anderson. Printed by the Nevada Printing and Stationery Company of Reno
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 80.00 - 120.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (90.00 + 22.50BP) = 112.50
 
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Perspective View of the Goldfield Mining District, Nevada3382 - Perspective View of the Goldfield Mining District, Nevada
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Showing the Latite-Shale Contact or Shale Surface , the Present Surface and the Prominent Veins. The view shows all key surface topographical referenc
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to S*****3 for (100.00 + 25.00BP) = 125.00
 
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Red Mountain Gold Mining and Milling Company Stock Certificate - with a Twist3383 - Red Mountain Gold Mining and Milling Company Stock Certificate - with a Twist
Holabird Western Americana Collections
The stock is printed Red Mountain Mining and Milling Company. The 'GOLD' has been written in. This is number 100 for 1000 shares. Issued to ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 50.00 - 100.00
Sold to V********e for (35.00 + 8.75BP) = 43.75
 
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Red Top Mining check with Red Top Vignette3384 - Red Top Mining check with Red Top Vignette
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This is an iconic (and arguably the most sought after) Nevada check. The red top with the red pull string make this a bright and colorful check. It is
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
 
 
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Red Top Mining Stocks (with a Tex Rickard signature) and a Red Top Check3385 - Red Top Mining Stocks (with a Tex Rickard signature) and a Red Top Check
Holabird Western Americana Collections
The premium pieces here are the papers with the famous 'Red Top' 1) Check for the Red Tip Mining Company. 1906. Signed by CD Taylor. $60 for...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 800.00
Sold to V********e for (275.00 + 68.75BP) = 343.75
 
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Sandstorm Mining Company Stock Certificate: Wingfield Collection3386 - Sandstorm Mining Company Stock Certificate: Wingfield Collection
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Number 1881 for 1000 shares to William Perry in 1906. Signed by secretary JM Fenwick (popular secretary for Wingfield mining companies, listed as pres
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 250.00
Sold to n*******g for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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Seven Goldfield Stock Certificates3387 - Seven Goldfield Stock Certificates
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1) Palace Goldfield. Very Early Number 15. 5000 shares to WA Sherman. Signed by president Sherman and secretary Rowlands. Elk vignette. 2) St. Ives Go
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 160.00 - 300.00
Sold to b**********7 for (80.00 + 20.00BP) = 100.00
 
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Talmage Gold Mines Company Stock Certificate with a Very Unique Vignette3388 - Talmage Gold Mines Company Stock Certificate with a Very Unique Vignette
Holabird Western Americana Collections
The vignette is an actual photograph of a headstone. On the photograph is printed May Talmage Hays. Number 383 for 1000 shares to WP Shipman in 1907.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
Sold to 8***1 for (100.00 + 22.00BP) = 122.00
 
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Third Annual Goldfield Consolidated Mines Company Report3389 - Third Annual Goldfield Consolidated Mines Company Report
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Pages are 9 x 6". Four full page high contrast photographs. Cover is made from finer paper. Pages and cover are firmly attached! Excellent cond...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to p*****0 for (120.00 + 30.00BP) = 150.00
 
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Three Goldfield Mines Named for Goldfield3390 - Three Goldfield Mines Named for Goldfield
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1) Goldfield Treasure. Number 203 for 1000 shares to Daniel Myers. Signed by George G Thomson and JS (?). Underground mining vignette with miners and
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to t*******d for (45.00 + 11.25BP) = 56.25
 
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Three Goldfield Stock Certificates Associated with Sheriff Ingalls3391 - Three Goldfield Stock Certificates Associated with Sheriff Ingalls
Holabird Western Americana Collections
These all revolve around Sheriff Ingalls. 1) Ingalls Shirley Company. 1906. Very early number 7 for 25,000 shares issued to WA Ingalls. Signed by secr
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (225.00 + 56.25BP) = 281.25
 
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Three Nevada Stocks with offices located in Goldfield3392 - Three Nevada Stocks with offices located in Goldfield
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1) The earliest is the Kruger Gold MIning Company. Number 92 for 100 shares to Edward Palmer in 1904. (Early!). Signed by AE Wright and William Sander
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 60.00 | Estimate : 120.00 - 200.00
 
 
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Tonopah Gold Mountain Mining Company Stock signed by Key Pittman3393 - Tonopah Gold Mountain Mining Company Stock signed by Key Pittman
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Number 727 for 500 shares to M Sheriden. Signed by secretary C. Runge and Key Pittman as president. Harvey folds, edge creases, and pin holes. Still n
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to 9***1 for (60.00 + 15.00BP) = 75.00
 
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Two Goldfield 'Big Cat' Stock Certificates3394 - Two Goldfield 'Big Cat' Stock Certificates
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1) Royal Goldfield Mining Company. 1905 Number 79 fo 50,000 shares (that's a lot!) to Ingalls & Company. This might refer to the Palace Salo...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Two Goldfield Stocks with Atlanta in Name3395 - Two Goldfield Stocks with Atlanta in Name
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1) February-Atlanta Mining and Leasing Company. No issue date. Number 771 for 500 shares to James Britt. Signed by AM Sheehan and HN (?). 2) Atlanta M
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 80.00 - 120.00
Sold to c****o for (40.00 + 10.00BP) = 50.00
 
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Two Goldfield-Columbia Mining Stock Certificates3396 - Two Goldfield-Columbia Mining Stock Certificates
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This is before the consolidation to the Goldfield Consolidated. The Goldfield Consolidated would yield over $50,000,000! 1) Goldfield-Columbia Mining
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 40.00 | Estimate : 80.00 - 100.00
 
 
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Two Mining Stocks with the Name Velvet for Significant Shares3397 - Two Mining Stocks with the Name Velvet for Significant Shares
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1) Spectacular, colorful Original Velvet Leasing and Mining Company. 1906. Very early number 7 for 500,000 shares to trustees JC McCormick and Louis S
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 40.00 | Estimate : 80.00 - 250.00
 
 
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Two Iconic Goldfield, Nevada Mining Checks3398 - Two Iconic Goldfield, Nevada Mining Checks
Holabird Western Americana Collections
These two John S Cook bank checks are two of the most sought after checks from Nevada. The Red Top mine has a Red Top and the Jumbo mine has a green e
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 75.00 | Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
 
 
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Two Oddie Stocks that Spelled his demise!3399 - Two Oddie Stocks that Spelled his demise!
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Tasker Oddie is a household name in Nevada mining and politics. But in 1907 he hit rock bottom when five mines he invested heavily in failed without s
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 75.00 | Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
 
 
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