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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Homestake Mine & Mill Postcard Collection  [135145]4150 - Homestake Mine & Mill Postcard Collection [135145]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 29 postcards from world famous Homestake Mine of Lead, South Dakota. Inner workings, and gold bars. 4 RPCs, outside views. Private Mailing Card
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to j*********f for (150.00 + 37.50BP) = 187.50
 
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Bingham Copper Mine Postcard Collection  [138951]4151 - Bingham Copper Mine Postcard Collection [138951]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of over 50 postcards showing Bingham Canyon, its copper mine, the city, mills, smelters and ore. One postcard includes a bag of ore. Last year, Ke
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 700.00
Sold to 8***1 for (325.00 + 71.50BP) = 396.50
 
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WH Jackson Photos of Mexico incl. Copper Mining  [134205]4152 - WH Jackson Photos of Mexico incl. Copper Mining [134205]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 3 photographs of Mexico by Colorado photographers. 1) Two are cabinet cards stamped on the reverse, "WH Jackson & Co., Photographs o...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 800.00
Sold to I********y for (200.00 + 50.00BP) = 250.00
 
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ASARCO Foxtrot, Dedicated to W.H. Loerpabel, Mining Engineer  [133746]4153 - ASARCO Foxtrot, Dedicated to W.H. Loerpabel, Mining Engineer [133746]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Piano sheet music titled ASARCO Foxtrot, dedicated to W. H. Loerpabel, written by Teodulo Gasca. Outside cover shows a photograph of the Tiro General
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold to S********O for (30.00 + 7.50BP) = 37.50
 
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Mining Prospectus’ for California and Idaho (2)  [137626]4154 - Mining Prospectus’ for California and Idaho (2) [137626]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1) “The Shasta May Blossom Copper Co., 1910 - Mines in Shasta Co. California – Lot includes 8 page, 3 ¼” x 6
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to b**********7 for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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Mining, Mineral and Related Postcards (Lot of 21)  [138094]4155 - Mining, Mineral and Related Postcards (Lot of 21) [138094]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
All Vintage group. Some black and white. 10 are Real Photo Postcards of various mining operations. Several are of important mineral collections. Nic
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 200.00
Sold to 6****A for (225.00 + 56.25BP) = 281.25
 
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Miscellaneous Mining Ephemera  [135729]4156 - Miscellaneous Mining Ephemera [135729]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 11. 1) Two mounted photographs of mine dredges in Yuba. 3.5 x 3.5" and 4.75 x 6.75" 2) Four mining letterheads. Three are for The G...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
Sold to d*******f for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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Lost Mines Fabulous Uranium and Buried Treasures of the Southwest  [135231]4157 - Lost Mines Fabulous Uranium and Buried Treasures of the Southwest [135231]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Brochure by R. W. McAllister, 1953. "Lost Mines of California and the Southwest." 97 pages with large foldout map. Booklet is 4 1/2 x 11 ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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Mining & Scientific Press  [137461]4158 - Mining & Scientific Press [137461]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
The Mining and Scientific Press was published weekly on each Saturday in San Francisco – This lot contains 19 issues bound into one volume fo
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 250.00 - 350.00
Sold to S*****3 for (200.00 + 50.00BP) = 250.00
 
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Ore Dressing Vol 1-2  [133829]4159 - Ore Dressing Vol 1-2 [133829]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 2. Two volumes by Robert H. Richards, Publ. by the Engineering & Mining Journal, 1906. Part I covers Breaking, Crushing & Comminuting...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to f*****y for (60.00 + 15.00BP) = 75.00
 
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Minerals Year Books & Mineral Reserves (Books)  [135634]4160 - Minerals Year Books & Mineral Reserves (Books) [135634]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
12 hardcover books. Includes: Mineral Resources of the United States 1929/Part 1 Metals, pp. 968; Minerals Yearbook, 1935, 1940s & 1950s. All in...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 140.00 - 250.00
Sold to f*****E for (80.00 + 0.00BP) = 80.00
 
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The Copper Handbook Volume III  [136860]4161 - The Copper Handbook Volume III [136860]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
The Copper Handbook - A Manual of the copper industry of the world - Vol. III - for the year 1902. Hardcover, 600 pages, ex: K.C. Mo. public library.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to c*********p for (275.00 + 68.75BP) = 343.75
 
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The Copper Handbook Volume IV  [136859]4162 - The Copper Handbook Volume IV [136859]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
The Copper Handbook - A Manual of the copper industry of the world - Vol. IV - for the year 1903. Hardcover, 778 pages, ex: K.C. Mo. public library. V
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to 6*******d for (120.00 + 30.00BP) = 150.00
 
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Copper Handbook Volume V  [136863]4163 - Copper Handbook Volume V [136863]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
The Copper Handbook: A Manual of the Copper Industry of the World, 1905, published by Horace J. Stevens. Hardcover, 882 pages, very good condition. D
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to 6*******d for (170.00 + 42.50BP) = 212.50
 
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Copper Handbook Volume VI  [136868]4164 - Copper Handbook Volume VI [136868]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
The Copper Handbook A Manual of the Copper Industry of the World, Volume VI by Horace J. Stevens, 1906, hardcover, 1116 pages. Date: 1906 Country (i
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 240.00 - 350.00
Sold to f*****E for (130.00 + 0.00BP) = 130.00
 
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The 1926 Mines Handbook  [136878]4165 - The 1926 Mines Handbook [136878]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
The 1926 Mines Handbook (Secedes the Copper Handbook), Published by The Mines Handbook Co., New York - Describes the Mining Companies of the two Ameri
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 260.00 - 400.00
Sold to 6*******d for (110.00 + 27.50BP) = 137.50
 
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Transactions of the American Institute of Mining Engineers  [136880]4166 - Transactions of the American Institute of Mining Engineers [136880]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Transactions of the American Institute of Mining Engineers Volume XLVI, (1914), called the "Montana Volume" - Contains the papers and disc...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to 8***1 for (100.00 + 22.00BP) = 122.00
 
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U.S.G.S. Mineral Resources of the U.S., Part 1 Metallic Products  [133830]4167 - U.S.G.S. Mineral Resources of the U.S., Part 1 Metallic Products [133830]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 1. Contains production statistics for Gold, Silver, Copper, Lead,Zinc, Quicksilver, etc. by States and Counties and a 34" W x 50" ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 50.00 - 100.00
Sold to 6*******d for (30.00 + 7.50BP) = 37.50
 
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When Coal was King by Poliniak and Mining Postcards  [137612]4168 - When Coal was King by Poliniak and Mining Postcards [137612]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
“When Coal was King”, Mining Pennsylvania’s Anthracite in Picture and Story, by Louis Poliniak, Applied Arts Publishing, 19
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 80.00 - 120.00
Sold to 6*******d for (110.00 + 27.50BP) = 137.50
 
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Prospecting Mining Books  [136851]4169 - Prospecting Mining Books [136851]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of two: "Handbook for Prospectors and Operators of Small Mines," by M.W. von Bernewitz, McGraw-Hill, 1943, 547 pages; 2) "The Pro...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 80.00 - 100.00
Sold to b**********n for (300.00 + 75.00BP) = 375.00
 
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