Sizzling Summer Western Americana Auction (August 2021)

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

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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Mastodon Tusk Section  [135003]1000 - Mastodon Tusk Section [135003]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This specimen of Mastodon tusk is from Alaska; discovered in the 1920's. About 5 in . in length and beautifully preserved. Date: Country (if ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to t*********5 for (225.00 + 49.50BP) = 274.50
 
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Major Alaska Family Group and Archive, c1920  [136702]1001 - Major Alaska Family Group and Archive, c1920 [136702]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
These are all articles from a Moravian missionary, Elfrida Frank, Alaska c1920-30. Included is a handbook of religious versus, skimo language dictiona
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 800.00 - 1,500.00
Sold to r*o for (400.00 + 100.00BP) = 500.00
 
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Alaska Promotional Ephemera  [135774]1002 - Alaska Promotional Ephemera [135774]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of about 30 pieces. Includes: Pacific Alaska Airways 1935 Timetable; Ax-I-Dent-Ax, Employee Magazine for United States Smelting, Refining & ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 75.00 | Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
 
 
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Handcolored Early Alaska Photographs Pair  [138995]1003 - Handcolored Early Alaska Photographs Pair [138995]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Set of two. 1.) 6x8 of a person with a 6 dog sled framed, fairbanks, 1939 2.) 4x9.5 framed handcolored with guilt totem pole in Sitka labelled on bac
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 60.00 | Estimate : 120.00 - 200.00
 
 
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Letterhead of Queen Lodge No. 6 A. O. U. W.  [137570]1004 - Letterhead of Queen Lodge No. 6 A. O. U. W. [137570]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
June 6, 1906 letterhead of "Queen Lodge No. 6, A.O.U.W. Letter concerns the illness of a member in New Mexico. The Ancient Order of United Wor...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 30.00 | Estimate : 60.00 - 100.00
 
 
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A Page From 1878 Florence A.T. Newspaper  [136832]1005 - A Page From 1878 Florence A.T. Newspaper [136832]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A page from The Arizona Citizen, a weekly newspaper dated March 8, 1878. This is the Florence Pinal County edition. The paper was published from 1870-
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 60.00 - 120.00
Sold to r******W for (30.00 + 7.50BP) = 37.50
 
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Two Globe, Arizona Territory Newspapers  [136024]1006 - Two Globe, Arizona Territory Newspapers [136024]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Two editions of sections from The Arizona Silver Belt Newspaper out of Globe, Arizona Territory. One is from January 17, 1880, the other, May 20, 1882
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to s****8 for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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Grand Canyon Travel Brochure Collection  [132688]1007 - Grand Canyon Travel Brochure Collection [132688]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Assortment of 17 brochures, photos and pieces featuring Grand Canyon National Park. 1901 brochure, 7 x 9 inches, by Santa Fe Railroad. Fred Harvey 193
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Burro Wood Train Cabinet Photograph  [137352]1008 - Burro Wood Train Cabinet Photograph [137352]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Cabinet photo of "Burro Wood Train, near Nogales, Ariz." by B.F. K. Rives. Showing five well loaded burros with their Mexican handler in t...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 120.00 | Estimate : 240.00 - 350.00
 
 
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A Trio of Arizona Territory Newspapers (3)  [136026]1009 - A Trio of Arizona Territory Newspapers (3) [136026]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Three early Arizona Territory newspaper sections from the 1870's. First, The Phoenix Herald, dated March 12, 1879. Mostly wants, business ads an...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to d*******f for (40.00 + 10.00BP) = 50.00
 
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