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