AUCTION  / 

SS Central America Shipwreck Artifacts Auction, Part II (March 2023)

Auction CurrencyUSD Auction Location3555 Airway Drive Suite 309, Reno, Nevada, 89511, United States

Auction Details

Welcome to Part II of the SS Central America Shipwreck Artifacts Auctions!

After breaking world records in the Part I, December 2022 auction, we now present the second and final auction of unique treasure items from this world-famous 1857 Gold Rush treasure ship.

The 420 lots in this sale are split into five sections hosted over two days. Sections 1, 2, & 3 will take place on Saturday, March 4th, 2023. Sections 4 & 5 will take place on Sunday, March 5th, 2023.

The catalog organization is a journey of exploration for our collectors and bidders through this epic treasure ship! Each of five evenly divided sections has a nice cross-section of the various types of items found, such as jewelry, passenger items, ship hardware, brass tags of a varying nature, clothes, and, of course, items from the Gold Room. Each section includes a focus on a specific room/area of the ship, such as the Saloon, Wine Room, Dining Room, Purser's Safe and Gold Room. Each of the five different sections also features two of what we consider to be the ten "key items" in the sale, such as the Sam Brannan gold brooch, Kellogg & Humbert ingot, "Mona Lisa of the Deep" photograph, contemporary counterfeit 8 escudo gold coin, and much more.

The print catalog itself is a “must-have” for every SS Central America collector and historian. In a very special first for any auction catalog, it contains QR codes that will lead you to videos showing recovery of select items by the Nemo ROV! Every section of the catalog contains detailed stories and essays of the people and items. Also included for the first time is a detailed floor plan of every level of the ship with notes by Bob and Fred based on actual experience and archival information, inclusive of the original passenger receipts. These long stories cannot be transferred to the internet bidding sites, nor can the three-dimensional photographs. Virtually none of the information has been previously published. We know you’ll love what you see and read!

This print catalog is available for $100, refunded by a purchase from the sale of $500 or more. The printed quantity is limited. We also have perhaps a dozen catalogs left of the first SS Central America sale in December, also available at $100. (Please see more details about the print catalog at holabirdamericana.com)

We invite collectors to join us in-person at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, where you can meet and ask questions of chief scientist Bob Evans, the “main man” on all four of the recovery expeditions, and Fred Holabird. These two spent 35 and 25 years respectively working on various aspects of this incredible treasure. You can also bid on the phone with one of our agents; or bid online with one of four auction platforms: iCollector, Live Auctioneers, Invaluable, or AuctionZip. The latter three sites may have an additional Buyer’s Premium.

Our friendly staff is ready to help you participate; whether it be to assist in registration, placing an absentee bid, or answering an expert question. Absentee bidding begins Saturday, February 11th. Questions are welcome!
Please call our office at (775) 851-1859.

So now, fellow treasure hunters, please join us on this second and final adventure to the Deep. From the California goldfields to the Atlantic Ocean floor to the Holabird auction showroom, we're thrilled and honored to bring you with us on this journey exploring the recovered stories, secrets, and treasures of the "Ship of Gold."

Happy bidding!

~The Holabird Team & Other Members of the SSCA Project~


Auction Schedule & Table of Contents

Saturday, March 4th, 2023, Sections 1-3
     Section 1: Lots 1000-1088
          Treasures from the Wrong Ship, Site 87
          Easton Trunk Part I feat. the Easton Trunk
          Saloon feat. the Easton Smoking Jacket
          Jewelry Part I feat. The Sam Brannan Brooch
          Gold Room Part I
          Dement Trunk Part I
          Passenger Items Part I
          Ship Hardware Part I: Topside feat. the Ship Porthole

     Section 2: Lots 2000-2079
          Dement Trunk Part II feat. the Dement Trunk
          Gold Room Part II
          Jewelry Part II
          Firearms feat. the Colt 1851 Pistol
          Easton Trunk Part II
          Water Closet
          Medical & Ladies Items
          Passenger Items Part II feat. “Mona Lisa of the Deep”
    
     Section 3: Lots 3000-3086
          Wine Room
          Easton Trunk Part III
          Purser Hull's Safe
          Dement Trunk Part III
          Ship Hardware Part II: Wood & Decorative
          Passenger Items Part III
          Jewelry Part III
          Gold Room Part III feat. Alsop Treasure Box & PMSS Tag

Sunday, March 5th, 2023, Sections 4 & 5   
     Section 4: Lots 4000-4080
          Dining Room
          Jewelry Part IV
          Easton Trunk Part IV feat. the Easton Complete Outfit
          Dement Trunk Part IV
          Passenger Items Part IV
          Gold Room Part IV feat. Gold Mexican 8 Escudo
    
     Section 5: Lots 5000-5082
          Easton Trunk Part V
          Gold Room Part V feat. the Kellogg & Humbert Gold Ingot
          US Mail Steamship
          Passenger Items Part V
          Ship Hardware Part III: Metallic
          Dement Trunk Part V
          Jewelry Part V
          Finale feat. the Ship’s Model and Nemo ROV
SHIPPING & HANDLING: The customer is responsible for all shipping and packaging charges. We offer shipping service as a convenience to our buyers. Items are not shipped until the invoice and shipping charges are completely paid. Shipping costs will be calculated and billed separately after your items have been paid for. Purchases will be shipped via our approved, insured carriers: FedEx, UPS, USPS or DHL. Pick up is available from our Reno office, once you have received your invoice post auction
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Wells Fargo Treasure Box Parts & WF Red Wax Seals, SS Central America Treasure [161947]5012 - Wells Fargo Treasure Box Parts & WF Red Wax Seals, SS Central America Treasure [161947]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This is a Wells Fargo Treasure Box parts group. 1) Wells, Fargo Treasure Box Parts with WF Red Wax Seal. Three parts to a Wells Fargo treasure box. 4
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 5,000.00
Sold to E********s for (2,100.00 + 420.00BP) = 2,520.00
 
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Leather Poke, SS Central America Treasure [161049]5013 - Leather Poke, SS Central America Treasure [161049]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Leather poke as would be used to hold gold dust, nuggets or coins. 5x3x3". Original twine tie present. Degraded hole about 1x2". Provenan...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 800.00 - 3,000.00
Sold to b**********e for (2,100.00 + 420.00BP) = 2,520.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Kellogg & Humbert Gold Bullion Bar No. 708, S.S. Central America treasure [146606]5014 - Kellogg & Humbert Gold Bullion Bar No. 708, S.S. Central America treasure [146606]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Massive Gold Bullion Bar recovered from the S.S. Central America shipwreck. OBV: // No. 708 / 32.15 Oz / 882 FINE / $586.17 //. REV: // 708 //. R
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150,000.00 - 250,000.00
Sold to R********h for (115,000.00 + 23,000.00BP) = 138,000.00
 
Details...Bookmark
SS Ohio Spoon, SS Central America Treasure [160945]5015 - SS Ohio Spoon, SS Central America Treasure [160945]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Metal serving spoon marked Ohio on back handle top. Steamship Ohio was owned by George Law of US Mail Steamship Co. which also owned the Central Amer
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 500.00
Sold to F********e.. for (750.00 + 150.00BP) = 900.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Brass Luggage Tag NY to SAN Fo #4000, SS Central America Treasure [153312]5016 - Brass Luggage Tag NY to SAN Fo #4000, SS Central America Treasure [153312]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Brass luggage tag, approx. 2 x 1-5/8 inches, embossed // N.Y. TO SAN Fo / 4000 / VIA PANAMA //. This one has a small six-rayed sun symbol at the botto
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 500.00 - 1,000.00
Sold to F********e.. for (1,150.00 + 230.00BP) = 1,380.00
 
Details...Bookmark
New York News, Steamer Edition, SS Central America Treasure [161062]5017 - New York News, Steamer Edition, SS Central America Treasure [161062]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This is a single sheet, 2 sided, 8 page total, edition of New York News, dated July 20, 1857, Vol. 1 #27. Framed in plexiglass. The SS Central Ame
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 500.00
Sold to F********e.. for (2,700.00 + 540.00BP) = 3,240.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Luggage Tag Pair, SF to NY Via Panama, SS Central America Treasure [161942]5018 - Luggage Tag Pair, SF to NY Via Panama, SS Central America Treasure [161942]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 2. The baggage aboard the ship used one tag, and the other was retained by the passenger as a claim check to retrieve the luggage. Luggage tags
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 600.00
Sold to R********3 for (1,250.00 + 250.00BP) = 1,500.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Steamship Georgia Serving Spoon, New York Silversmith, SS Central America Treasure [159938]5019 - Steamship Georgia Serving Spoon, New York Silversmith, SS Central America Treasure [159938]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Large spoon, silver plate, 8 5/8", J & I Cox, a New York silversmith's mark, "Georgia" on the handle. The silver plate is sl...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 500.00
Sold to M*****0 for (1,050.00 + 210.00BP) = 1,260.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Passenger Receipt for Capt. W. H. Taylor, Steamship Captain, SSCA Treasure [161598]5020 - Passenger Receipt for Capt. W. H. Taylor, Steamship Captain, SSCA Treasure [161598]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Passenger Receipt for Capt. W. H. Taylor, Steamship Captain, Stateroom 30, leaving New York August 19, 1857 for Aspinwall and California. Captain W. H
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 2,000.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (2,700.00 + 0.00BP) = 2,700.00
 
Details...Bookmark
SSCA, Round Trip San Francisco / New York via Panama Luggage Tags [159476]5021 - SSCA, Round Trip San Francisco / New York via Panama Luggage Tags [159476]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A pair of unmatched single luggage tags recovered from the S.S. Central America shipwreck. These are in their raw, unconserved form, pieces missing, e
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to S********o.. for (650.00 + 130.00BP) = 780.00
 
Details...Bookmark