Sizzling Summer Western Americana Auction (August 2021)

Auction Details

Welcome to our August 2021 sale, the "Sizzling Summer Western Americana Auction!"

Our August sale is full of “hot stuff” across the board, and features some of the best collections in their genre offered publicly in a long time.

*The “California” Collection of Native American Jewelry*
The California Native American jewelry collection includes nearly 400 lots of fine, artistic silver and turquoise jewelry from a major collection.

The group of Native American jewelry presented by Holabird Western Americana Collections, LLC, is from the collection of a long time California collector. Collecting over several decades, the collection features some incredible pieces—the main part of the collection is represented by bolos from Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico. There are also necklaces, bracelets, rings, belt buckles, and brooches. Much of this jewelry collection is “museum worthy art.”

The Zuni people are famous for their inlay—both mosaic inlay and channel inlay. The Zuni petit-point and needlepoint work in stones is just as well-known. The collection focuses on pieces from c1940s-60s. Some Zuni artists represented are: Dan Simplicio, Leo Poblano, Lambert Homer Sr., the Edaakies, Frank Vacit, Dexter Cellicion, Myra Tucson, Elliot Qualo, Annie Quam Gasper, Alonzo and Helen Hustito, Velma Lesansee, Horace Ilue, and many others. Most of the jewelry made before 1970 was not hallmarked. We have named the artists of each piece whenever possible, however, some are “attributed to,” and others we were unable to identify.

Many of the artists are presented in the books by Toshio Sei, published by Schiffer. Toshio Sei began collecting Zuni jewelry in 1993 and has written several books on the various forms of Zuni jewelry. Besides presenting the artists, he has done much research and gives detailed analyses that explain connections of artists and styles, thus giving us history and meanings for the pieces of jewelry. A number of the pieces offered here are illustrated in his books.

The “California” collection also includes jewelry from the Navajo, Santo Domingo Pueblo, and the Hopi. You will find amazing pieces of jewelry from all of these Native people and will have a difficult decision deciding on those to choose for your own collections!

For Western bolo tie collectors, this is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, with the largest sale of its kind ever held.

*The Western Collections*
We received two major collections containing outstanding items--both for their visual appeal and historical importance.

The first centers around Arizona and Colorado ephemera (19th century photos and documents) related to major mining camps, supplemented by gorgeous oil paintings of Native American and Western scenes by Douglas Rosa. One of our favorites from this collection is a framed photo of Tombstone prostitute “Amelia” (in classic prostitute attire) with her business license.

The second Western collection includes incredible military items (highlighted below), rare Western postcards, and a fantastic library including rare firearms references.

*Militaria*
This section is phenomenal, highlighted by George Armstrong Custer’s holster and gun belt, which is accompanied by a long history. Added to this is a major collection related to the Mexican War and Pancho Villa, including a photo-diary by Arizona photographer Walter Horne. Of great interest will be the associated collections from the Prag Collection and others, rounding out a phenomenal section on the Civil War, Spanish American War, and both World Wars.

For the Firearm collector is a large library of historical books on guns, hunting and related, with some of the all-time key references. These complement a large collection of rare books. Exploration researchers will love the Arctic Exploration library and other early works on Western exploration.

*Ken Prag Collection*
Wow! There are three distinct parts of his collection in this sale: ephemera, postcards, and stocks.

First and foremost, most or all of the material is from his unsorted acquisitions for decades. We found amazing items here. Like the Bodie & Bridgeport Telegraph archive with a message about a failed robbery of the SF mint right after the earthquake!

There is a wealth of paper ephemera, particularly from California. The postcards (over 500 lots) are stunning, and among the best offered so far, with exceptionally rare views in both RPC and printed format. Large collections include California (incl. Tahoe and Yosemite) and Hawaii. Nearly every lot has great cards, and you won’t want to miss this opportunity. Pioneer cards? Hundreds of them. One of the sections we had the most fun with is the gaming section--postcards with a gaming or playing card theme. This collection is now in about 20 lots, comprised of hundreds of cards.

*Numismatics*
A large offering of foreign and US coins, medals, counters, and other exonumia. Includes a C. Bechtler Dollar; Carson City Mint morgans; a fantasy Wells Fargo & Co. Express, Goldfield Iron Strongbox; and a large selection of California and Western tokens and Good For mirrors (ex. Ron Lerch Collection).

*Other Highlights*
Stocks and Bonds: Another fantastic selection from
perhaps a dozen collections. Features rare Arizona pieces and foreign mining stocks from the Prag Collection.

Railroadiana: Another great batch of railroad passes from an incredible Western collection we have been selling over the past year and a half. Also, a rare Colorado railroad section, and a collection of Virginia & Truckee Railroad ephemera from the Prag Collection.


Auction Schedule

Day 1, Thursday, August 5th, 2021, Lots 1000-1605
*General Americana (Lots 1000-1605)
Geographic Sort (1000-1251)
World’s Fair & Expositions (1252-1286)
Gaming (1287-1311)
Bottles & Saloon (1312-1342)
Marbles & Toys (1343-1365)
Jewelry (1366-1421)
Clothing (1422-1452)
Music (1453-1465)
Miscellaneous incl. Photos, Furnishings, Ephemera (1466-1605)

Day 2, Friday, August 6th, 2021, Lots 2000-2596
*Transportation (2000-2153)
Railroad (2000-2119)
Aviation & Automobile (2120-2153)
*Philatelic (2154-2596)
Stamps & Covers (2154-2175)
Postcards (2176-2596)

Day 3, Saturday, August 7th, 2021, Lots 3000-3606
*Native Americana (3000-3387)
Jewelry (3000-3271)
Artifacts, Art, Baskets, Pottery (3272-3315)
Ephemera incl. Rare Photographs, Postcards, & Books (3316-3387)
*Military incl. Custer and Pancho Villa Collections (3388-3514)
Chronologically Sorted (Civil War, Spanish American, WWI, WWII, etc)
*Political (3515-3535)
*Firearms feat. Firearms & Weaponry Historical Books (3536-3606)

Day 4, Sunday, August 8th, 2021, Lots 4000-4606
*Cowboy & Western (4000-4040)
*Art (4041-4105)
*Mining (4106-4189)
*Stocks & Bonds (4190-4310)
*Numismatics (4311-4505)
*Tokens (4506-4606)

Day 5, Monday, August 9th, 2021, Lots 5000-5583
*General Books (5000-5072)
*Bargains & Dealer Specials (5073-5583)
General Americana (5073-5189)
Philatelic (5190-5408)
Stocks & Bonds (5409-5479)
Numismatics incl. Dies, Coins, Counters, & Tokens (5480-5583)
SHIPPING & HANDLING: Shipping is subject to a minimum charge of $19.00. Shipping and handling cannot be estimated prior to invoicing as it is based on the size and weight of your purchase. Additional shipping and handling costs, if required, will be re-invoiced 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.SHIPPING & HANDLING: Shipping and Handling cannot be estimated prior to invoicing, based on the size a...
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Red Bluff Vintage Postcard Collection, 2 Publishers  [137841]2254 - Red Bluff Vintage Postcard Collection, 2 Publishers [137841]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Amber printed postcard group by Mitchell, about 19 vintage views of Red Bluff. The second group are about 23 cards in frame form by Pacific Novelty Co
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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Red Bluff Vintage Street Scenes Postcard Collection  [137843]2255 - Red Bluff Vintage Street Scenes Postcard Collection [137843]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
About 12 or vintage street scenes c1905-10 of Red Bluff Proper. Date: Country (if not USA): State: California City: Red Bluff Provenance: Ken
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (35.00 + 8.75BP) = 43.75
 
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Sacramento & Niles, California Postcards (50)  [136060]2256 - Sacramento & Niles, California Postcards (50) [136060]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 50 cards from the Capital of California, Sacramento and the Bay Area town of Niles. While Sacramento is well known as the town where Gavin News
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 80.00 - 120.00
Sold to m********s.. for (30.00 + 7.50BP) = 37.50
 
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California Military Postcards (34)  [127085]2257 - California Military Postcards (34) [127085]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Group of 34 postcards includes 5 RPC's, 3 black and white, 26 colors. Naval training stations, Aerial Maneuvers, Naval Hospital, Air stations, M...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 120.00 - 200.00
Sold to b*******e for (60.00 + 13.20BP) = 73.20
 
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Chinese in San Francisco Major Post Card Collection  [138131]2258 - Chinese in San Francisco Major Post Card Collection [138131]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Fantastic Post card collection of about 150-200 vintage cards, mostly c1905-1910. Date: Country (if not USA): State: California City: San Fran
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 500.00 - 1,000.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (2,200.00 + 550.00BP) = 2,750.00
 
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California Embossed Pioneer Postcard Collection  [138932]2259 - California Embossed Pioneer Postcard Collection [138932]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 16 undivided back, embossed postcards. Fourteen scenes of San Francisco: Cliff House, City Hall, Golden Gate Park, Chinatown, panorama. One of
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to b*******n for (55.00 + 13.75BP) = 68.75
 
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San Francisco Product & Scenic Postcards (22)  [136059]2260 - San Francisco Product & Scenic Postcards (22) [136059]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
An eclectic post card collection (22), including a 1904 photo that shows Chinatown, before Dupont Street became Grant Ave. the oldest street in &quo...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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San Francisco 1906 Earthquake Postcards - 6  [137056]2261 - San Francisco 1906 Earthquake Postcards - 6 [137056]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Group of six (6) postcards showing the devastation of the 1906 Earthquake and Fire in San Francisco on the morning of April 18. RPC's show fire ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold to C******n for (30.00 + 6.60BP) = 36.60
 
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San Francisco, California Postcards (50)  [136057]2262 - San Francisco, California Postcards (50) [136057]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Fantastic pre-1906 Earthquake color and B&W postcards and RPC's of "The City by the Bay" San Francisco. Included in this 50 card c...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to j*******h for (65.00 + 14.30BP) = 79.30
 
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San Luis Obispo Postcard Collection  [137850]2263 - San Luis Obispo Postcard Collection [137850]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
About 100 cards c1905-1960 includes a number of white border RPCs and a nice group of vintage printed cards Date: Country (if not USA): State: C
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold to b*******e for (150.00 + 33.00BP) = 183.00
 
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Real Photo Postcard of Lucky Baldwin's Ranch  [135207]2264 - Real Photo Postcard of Lucky Baldwin's Ranch [135207]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Nice RPPC labelled "E.J. (Lucky) Baldwin & J. Wiley Wallace Nurseries, Santa Anita, Cal." Not mailed. Reverse has pen notations "...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 60.00 - 100.00
Sold to C******n for (55.00 + 12.10BP) = 67.10
 
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Santa Barbara Post Card Collection  [138132]2265 - Santa Barbara Post Card Collection [138132]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Huge collection of about 150 cards, including rpc's, vintage cards, etc, c 1900-1960. Perfect for the SB collector. Date: Country (if not USA...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold to y******e for (325.00 + 81.25BP) = 406.25
 
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Central California Coastal Postcards (25)  [136043]2266 - Central California Coastal Postcards (25) [136043]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Nice group of color and black & white postcards from around the beautiful central coast of California, including Big Sur, Carmel-by-the-Sea and...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to b*******e for (50.00 + 11.00BP) = 61.00
 
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Shasta, California Postcards (42)  [136038]2267 - Shasta, California Postcards (42) [136038]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A nice collection of 42 RPC's and postcards showing the areas of Mount Shasta, Shata Damn and surrounding areas. There are several shots the the...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to b*******n for (60.00 + 15.00BP) = 75.00
 
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Shasta Dam Postcard Collection  [137955]2268 - Shasta Dam Postcard Collection [137955]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of over 15 postcards relating to Shasta Dam. Black and white RPCs and a few modern. Date: Country (if not USA): State: California City: Sh
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 60.00 - 100.00
Sold to n********w.. for (20.00 + 4.40BP) = 24.40
 
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Campbell's Mineral Springs, Sierraville Postcard, 1910  [137909]2269 - Campbell's Mineral Springs, Sierraville Postcard, 1910 [137909]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1910 RPC of Campbell's Mineral Springs. Tourist resort built in the 1880s to enjoy the hot springs in the area. Date: Country (if not USA)...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 80.00 - 150.00
Sold to L******8 for (40.00 + 8.80BP) = 48.80
 
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Shasta, Siskiyou, and Pacific Hwy Area Postcard Group (60)  [136460]2270 - Shasta, Siskiyou, and Pacific Hwy Area Postcard Group (60) [136460]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A great lot from the Shasta region. Sixty cards altogether includes locations such as Red Bluff Cal; Shasta Springs; Lakehead, Calif; Dunsmuir Calif;
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to j*******h for (50.00 + 11.00BP) = 61.00
 
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Solvang Post Card Collection  [138134]2271 - Solvang Post Card Collection [138134]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Massive collection of Solvang post cards, perhaps 200. Covers all aspects of this famous tourist community, c1910-1960, Date: Country (if not USA):
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold to b*******e for (200.00 + 44.00BP) = 244.00
 
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Sonoma County Post Card Collection  [138133]2272 - Sonoma County Post Card Collection [138133]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Wonderful group of nearly 100 cards, including rpc's, vintage, etc, c1905-1960. Date: Country (if not USA): State: California City: Sonom...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 400.00
Sold to b*******e for (150.00 + 33.00BP) = 183.00
 
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Sonora California Vintage RPC Collection  [137845]2273 - Sonora California Vintage RPC Collection [137845]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
6 early RPCs from Sonora, c1908 Date: Country (if not USA): State: California City: Sonora Provenance: Ken Prag Collection
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold to c******1 for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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