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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Druggist and Pharmacist, CO Mining Stocks (2)3040 - Druggist and Pharmacist, CO Mining Stocks (2)
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1) Druggist Mine and Tunnel-40 acres near Grassy and Carbonate Hill, issued to NP Eagen 1896 #8 8000 shares, signed by president Conable, incorporated
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (80.00 + 20.00BP) = 100.00
 
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Official Manual of Cripple Creek District3041 - Official Manual of Cripple Creek District
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Rebound hardcover of the best reference on Cripple Creek. 494pp. We used it to research all of the Cripple Creek stocks in this auction. (Al Adams Go
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to G******g for (325.00 + 81.25BP) = 406.25
 
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Cripple Creek Mining Books (3)3042 - Cripple Creek Mining Books (3)
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Midas of the Rockies by Waters, Cripple Creek Gold by Levine, Money Mountain by Sprague (Al Adams Gold Rush Memorabilia Collection) Date: Locati
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 80.00 - 100.00
Sold to p********n for (40.00 + 10.00BP) = 50.00
 
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Colorado Mining Books (10)3043 - Colorado Mining Books (10)
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Colorado's Little Kingdom signed by author Donald Kemp, Gulch of Gold, Leadville: A Miner's Epic, The Legend of Baby Doe, Money Mountain, Mo...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 120.00 - 200.00
Sold to s****c for (60.00 + 15.00BP) = 75.00
 
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Cripple Creek Mining Stocks (2)3044 - Cripple Creek Mining Stocks (2)
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1) Missouri Mining, issued to Ella Kirkpatrick 1903, #2126 1000 shares, signed by president, incorporated in CO, some toning and small crease tears 2)
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
 
 
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Cripple Creek Mining Stocks (4)3045 - Cripple Creek Mining Stocks (4)
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1) Sedan Gold Mining-Anna Belle claim in grassy, issued to L. Francis 1902 #3801 1000 shares, signed by president West, incorporated in CO 2)Shannon G
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 120.00 - 200.00
Sold to m********1 for (65.00 + 16.25BP) = 81.25
 
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Cripple Creek Mining Stocks (4)3046 - Cripple Creek Mining Stocks (4)
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1) Delmont Gold Mining-owns the Little Maud and Buffalo on the south slope of Galena Hill, issued to Albert Smith 1908, #194 5000 shares, signed by pr
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 120.00 - 200.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (60.00 + 15.00BP) = 75.00
 
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Cripple Creek Mining Stocks (4)3047 - Cripple Creek Mining Stocks (4)
Holabird Western Americana Collections
"For many years Cripple Creek's high valley, at an elevation of 9,494 feet (2,894 m), was considered no more important than a cattle pastur...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 160.00 - 250.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (80.00 + 20.00BP) = 100.00
 
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Cripple Creek Souvenir Silver Spoons (5)3048 - Cripple Creek Souvenir Silver Spoons (5)
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Beautifully engraved with pack mules and landscapes and reading "Summit to Pikes Peak Altitude 14147 feet. Slight patina on smallest spoon. Lar...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to l******8 for (90.00 + 22.50BP) = 112.50
 
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Cripple Creek Mining Stocks, 4 Different3049 - Cripple Creek Mining Stocks, 4 Different
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1) Isabella Gold Mining Co.-one of the largest gold producers in Colorado. The Isabella's mines generated over $15 million which made them one ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 120.00 - 200.00
Sold to S****2 for (65.00 + 16.25BP) = 81.25
 
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Cripple Creek, CO Mining Certificates (4)3050 - Cripple Creek, CO Mining Certificates (4)
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1) Bufflalo Gold Mining and Milling-about 50 acres on Calf Mt., issued to Grace Clark 1895, #74 5000 shares, signed by president Ashton incorporated i
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 120.00 - 200.00
Sold to S****2 for (70.00 + 17.50BP) = 87.50
 
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Cripple Creek, CO Mining Stocks (6)3051 - Cripple Creek, CO Mining Stocks (6)
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1) Hoosier Boy Mining and Tunnel issued to LH Francis 1901, signed by president, incorporated in CO 2) Portland Gold Mining Co u/i 3) Rose Nichol Gold
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 120.00 - 200.00
Sold to S****2 for (60.00 + 15.00BP) = 75.00
 
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Cripple Creek, CO Mining Stocks, 4 Different3052 - Cripple Creek, CO Mining Stocks, 4 Different
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1) Abdallah Gold Mining-200' deep shaft, issued to O Purdy 1902? #242 50000 shares, signed by presidernt, incorporated in CO 2) Acacia Gold Mini...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 120.00 - 200.00
Sold to j*********t for (60.00 + 15.00BP) = 75.00
 
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Galena Silver Mining Co. Stock Certificate, Crystal City, CO, 18883053 - Galena Silver Mining Co. Stock Certificate, Crystal City, CO, 1888
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Rare location. Ghost town in Gunnison County, Colorado. Inc. in Illinois. No. 102, issued for 100 shares to Alfred Vallat on March 22nd, 1888. Signed
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to M******n for (120.00 + 30.00BP) = 150.00
 
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Bassick Mining Company Stock Certificate, Bassick City, CO 18843054 - Bassick Mining Company Stock Certificate, Bassick City, CO 1884
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Inc. in New York July 1879. No. 452, issued for 1,604 shares to Georgie Brown on April 18th, 1884. Signed by Frank Brown, president, and L.P. Hoyt. No
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
Sold to O**********r for (120.00 + 30.00BP) = 150.00
 
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Custer County Consolidated Mining Company Stock Certificate, 18793055 - Custer County Consolidated Mining Company Stock Certificate, 1879
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Inc. in Colorado. Mines in Custer County, Colorado. No. 386, issued for 1,000 shares to Joseph Ross on November 24th, 1879. Signed by Isaac Freese (?)
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 75.00 | Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
 
 
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Electro Magnetic Mining & Developing Co. of Denver, Colorado Stock Certificate, 18833056 - Electro Magnetic Mining & Developing Co. of Denver, Colorado Stock Certificate, 1883
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Inc. in Colorado, Oct. 1891. No. 104, issued for 500 shares to John E. Killey on Jan. 24th, 1883. Signed by president Robert Brown and secretary MH Sm
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to m*****2 for (140.00 + 35.00BP) = 175.00
 
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The Colorado & New Mexico Cons. Mining & Smelting Co. Stock Certificate, 18863057 - The Colorado & New Mexico Cons. Mining & Smelting Co. Stock Certificate, 1886
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Inc. in Colorado. No. 778, issued for 5,000 shares to H.H. Potter on March 27th, 1886 in Denver. Signed by president J.T. ______ and Ira. Pendleton s
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 75.00 | Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
 
 
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The Colorado Powder Company Stock Certificate3058 - The Colorado Powder Company Stock Certificate
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Number 60 for 38 shares to HR Wolcott in 1882. Signed by secretary JO Bosworth and Henry Wolcott. Signed on back by Henry R Wolcott. This company had
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to l******8 for (60.00 + 15.00BP) = 75.00
 
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Denver Mint & Mining Silver Souvenir Spoons (2)3059 - Denver Mint & Mining Silver Souvenir Spoons (2)
Holabird Western Americana Collections
2 U.S. Mint, die struck bowls. Has engraved with U.S. Mint Building, a mule, miner and Illuminate. 5.5" Date: Location: Denver, Colorado ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to 9*****H for (40.00 + 10.00BP) = 50.00
 
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