AUCTION  / 

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

Auction CurrencyUSD Auction Location3555 Airway Drive Suite 309, Reno, Nevada, 89511, United States In Person PreviewPREVIEW:

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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Perfume Bottle and Advertisement, SS Central America Treasure [160821]2051 - Perfume Bottle and Advertisement, SS Central America Treasure [160821]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Perfume Bottle and Advertisement found on the SS Central America. The bottle measures approximately 9 x 1.25 inches, the neck is 2 inches, with an .5
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 500.00
Sold to F********e.. for (650.00 + 130.00BP) = 780.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Metal Finger Thimble, SS Central America Treasure [160931]2052 - Metal Finger Thimble, SS Central America Treasure [160931]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Metal finger thimble that would be used to prevent sewing injury. Honeycomb exterior pattern with about .75x.5" degraded. Overall 1"x.75&q...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 500.00
Sold to b**********e for (275.00 + 55.00BP) = 330.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Perfume Bottle from the S.S. Central America [159074]2053 - Perfume Bottle from the S.S. Central America [159074]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Twelve-sided glass perfume bottle recovered from the S.S. Central America shipwreck. It is 4.25 inches long, 1.5 inches in diameter at the base, and 3
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 500.00
Sold to g******n for (700.00 + 140.00BP) = 840.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Button Collection, SS Central America Treasure [160963]2054 - Button Collection, SS Central America Treasure [160963]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Originally recovered during the gold excavation of the ship. A collection of about 41 buttons, with either 1, 3 or 4 holes. The 1 hole buttons have sc
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 500.00
Sold to a********1 for (200.00 + 40.00BP) = 240.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Ladies Accessories, recovered from the SS Central America Shipwreck [161764]2055 - Ladies Accessories, recovered from the SS Central America Shipwreck [161764]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1.) Ladies Shoe Fragment found on the SS Central America. Approximate measurements 6 x 1.5 inches. Very degraded. Probably made of leather. Curve a
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 600.00
Sold to a********1 for (150.00 + 30.00BP) = 180.00
 
Details...Bookmark
First Cabin Receipts for Women Saved on the Brig Marine, SS Central America Treasure [143207]2056 - First Cabin Receipts for Women Saved on the Brig Marine, SS Central America Treasure [143207]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Two first cabin receipts that are slightly illegible, for women who were probably rescued by the brig Marine. Each is for passage from San Francisco t
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 1,000.00
Sold to F********e.. for (650.00 + 130.00BP) = 780.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Coal from the Boiler Room, SSCA Treasure [162390]2057 - Coal from the Boiler Room, SSCA Treasure [162390]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Coal was used to feed the all-important boilers which powered the twin piston engines on the SSCA, . The ship carried tons of coal, which under good c
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 500.00
Sold to g******n for (375.00 + 75.00BP) = 450.00
 
Details...Bookmark
First Cabin Room Key with #30 on Brass Tag, S.S. Central America treasure [153305]2058 - First Cabin Room Key with #30 on Brass Tag, S.S. Central America treasure [153305]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Room key with an attached tag with #30. 3-3/8 x 1-1/4 inch. Good condition with a layer of corrosion remaining. We believe from the size of this key i
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 500.00 - 2,500.00
Sold to G*******s for (5,250.00 + 1,050.00BP) = 6,300.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Ambrotype with Partial Image, SS Central America Treasure [161065]2059 - Ambrotype with Partial Image, SS Central America Treasure [161065]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Ambrotype glass plate with a light partial circular image, possibly of a piece of jewelry or a watch. Glass has 2 or 3 light scratches and staining. G
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 500.00
Sold to f*****E for (100.00 + 0.00BP) = 100.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Steerage Ticket, Havana to Aspinwall, Plus Others, SSCA Treasure [150892]2060 - Steerage Ticket, Havana to Aspinwall, Plus Others, SSCA Treasure [150892]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Steerage ticket, Havana to Aspinwall, on the trip of the SSCA from New York to Aspinwall before the return journey in which the ship sank. The passeng
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 500.00
Sold to S********6 for (130.00 + 26.00BP) = 156.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Matched Pair of Luggage Tags, SS Central America Treasure [162224]2061 - Matched Pair of Luggage Tags, SS Central America Treasure [162224]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A matched pair of luggage tags, San Francisco to NY Via Panama, #1796 with leather strap stub. 1 has a 6 point star. The route started on the SS Sonor
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 2,000.00
Sold to c**a for (3,300.00 + 660.00BP) = 3,960.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Miner's Daughter Passenger Receipt, SS Central America Treasure. [143191]2062 - Miner's Daughter Passenger Receipt, SS Central America Treasure. [143191]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Passenger receipt for Elizabeth M. Smith, daughter of a miner at Don Pedro's Bar in Tuolumne County. First cabin, thus her father may have done ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 500.00
Sold to F********e.. for (550.00 + 110.00BP) = 660.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Brass Luggage Tag NY to SAN Fo #4314, SS Central America Treasure [153314]2063 - Brass Luggage Tag NY to SAN Fo #4314, SS Central America Treasure [153314]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Brass luggage tag, approx 2 x 1-5/8 inches, embossed // N.Y. TO SAN Fo / 4314 / VIA PANAMA //. The name of the tag manufacturer is visible in very fin
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 500.00 - 1,000.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (600.00 + 0.00BP) = 600.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Ambrotype and Partial Frame, SS Central America Treasure [160947]2064 - Ambrotype and Partial Frame, SS Central America Treasure [160947]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Unknown Ambrotype, 3x2.75". Produced as a positive photograph on glass made by a variant of the wet plate collodion process. Frame edge3x2.75&...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (120.00 + 0.00BP) = 120.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Eliza Carothers Passenger Receipt, SSCA Treasure [150898]2065 - Eliza Carothers Passenger Receipt, SSCA Treasure [150898]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Passenger receipt for Eliza Carothers, rescued by the brig Marine, along with dozens of others. Carothers. First cabin. Bowers stated she was "...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 500.00
Sold to r*******0 for (850.00 + 170.00BP) = 1,020.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Matched Pair, San Francisco To New York, SSCA Baggage Tags, [161618]2066 - Matched Pair, San Francisco To New York, SSCA Baggage Tags, [161618]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Matched Pair, San Francisco To New York, SSCA Baggage Tags, #1636. California on board the Sonora, and onboard the SS Central America at Aspinwall.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 2,000.00
Sold to l*******h for (2,600.00 + 520.00BP) = 3,120.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Cigars, 2, SS Central America Treasure [161663]2067 - Cigars, 2, SS Central America Treasure [161663]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
2 cigars. Wrappers partially intact with some degradation. 5 inches x 1/2 inch Provenance: SS Central America Collection
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 500.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (140.00 + 0.00BP) = 140.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Passenger Receipt for Mr. Esquado, First Cabin, SSCA Treasure [150895]2068 - Passenger Receipt for Mr. Esquado, First Cabin, SSCA Treasure [150895]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Passenger receipt for the US Mail Steamship line, datelined Aspinwall, for Mr. Esquado to New York, first cabin, signed by the agent in Aspinwall. Her
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 500.00
Sold to F********e.. for (1,150.00 + 230.00BP) = 1,380.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Luggage Tag, SS Central America Treasure [161032]2069 - Luggage Tag, SS Central America Treasure [161032]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A heart shaped brass luggage tag. The baggage aboard the ship used 1 tag and the other was retained by the passenger as a claim check to retrieve the
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 1,000.00
Sold to g*******N for (550.00 + 110.00BP) = 660.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Bennington Style Ceramic Dresser Knob, SS Central America Treasure [160890]2070 - Bennington Style Ceramic Dresser Knob, SS Central America Treasure [160890]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This is a ceramic dresser knob in the Bennington style about 1-3/4 in. in diameter. Provenance: SS Central America Collection
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 500.00
Sold to t********-.. for (160.00 + 32.00BP) = 192.00
 
Details...Bookmark