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...
Choose Your Layout > Switch to Grid View Switch to List View
Utah National Parks Ephemera Collection  [135670]1240 - Utah National Parks Ephemera Collection [135670]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of seven pieces of ephemera from Utah's National Parks. postal cover 1934 Zion 3c stamp. Postcard with petrified dinosaur bone attached. 192...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 30.00 | Estimate : 60.00 - 100.00
 
 
Details...Bookmark
Zion/Bryce Canyon/Grand Canyon 1935 Travel Brochure  [132686]1241 - Zion/Bryce Canyon/Grand Canyon 1935 Travel Brochure [132686]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Forty five page travel brochure produced by Union Pacific railroad extolling the beauty of Zion, Bryce Canyon and Grand Canyon National Parks. 7 x 10
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to k****9 for (30.00 + 7.50BP) = 37.50
 
Details...Bookmark
Utah Travel Brochure Collection  [132687]1242 - Utah Travel Brochure Collection [132687]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 18 vintage travel brochures featuring Utah attractions. Hotel Ben Lomond; Wilson Hotel; Logan; Camp Altamont; Newhouse Hotel; Hotel Bigelow; Og
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to O*****h for (160.00 + 40.00BP) = 200.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Port of Seattle Municipal Yearbook for 1918-1919 & Postcards  [137616]1243 - Port of Seattle Municipal Yearbook for 1918-1919 & Postcards [137616]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
“Port of Seattle”, A Municipal Corporation, Co-Terminous with Boundaries of King County, Washington - Year Book for 1918-1919, issue
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 80.00 - 160.00
Sold to r**4 for (40.00 + 10.00BP) = 50.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Historical U.S. Dam Publications (2)  [137483]1244 - Historical U.S. Dam Publications (2) [137483]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1) Grand Coulee Dam, the “Eighth Wonder of the World”, 1942, State of Washington, Published by Souvenirs Co. – Complete Sto
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
 
 
Details...Bookmark
Early Washington D.C. National Newspaper  [136833]1245 - Early Washington D.C. National Newspaper [136833]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A section from the "Weekly National Intelligencer" newspaper dated May 26, 1849. this newspaper started in 1800 and stopped publishing in...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 30.00 | Estimate : 60.00 - 100.00
 
 
Details...Bookmark
Ringling Bros. 100th Anniversary Medal and More  [136843]1246 - Ringling Bros. 100th Anniversary Medal and More [136843]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
The Greatest Show on Earth celebrated their centennial with a medal: Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus / 100th Anniversary / The / Greatest ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold to C*****t for (85.00 + 21.25BP) = 106.25
 
Details...Bookmark
Wisconsin Cabinet Card Photograph Collection (151)   [133835]1247 - Wisconsin Cabinet Card Photograph Collection (151) [133835]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Collection of 151 cabinet cards (4.5 x 6.5) from Wisconsin. Wide variety of historical portrait photographers for the advanced collectors. Circa 1880-
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to d*******f for (170.00 + 42.50BP) = 212.50
 
Details...Bookmark
Early Dairy Catalogs (2)  [137489]1248 - Early Dairy Catalogs (2) [137489]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1) “The James Way”, Published by The James Mfg. Co., Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, 1914 – Shows how to build and equip a practi
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 80.00 - 160.00
Sold to d*******f for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
Details...Bookmark
Yellowstone National Park, Visitors Ephemera Collection (5)  [137617]1249 - Yellowstone National Park, Visitors Ephemera Collection (5) [137617]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1) “Geyserland”, issued by Chicago & North Western Ry., 1926 Situated in N/W Wyoming and extends slightly into Idaho & Montana
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 70.00 | Estimate : 140.00 - 200.00
 
 
Details...Bookmark
Yellowstone Park Book Collection (4)  [136826]1250 - Yellowstone Park Book Collection (4) [136826]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A nice quartet of books on Yellowstone National Park. Works included"The Plainsmen of the Yellowstone" by Mark H. Brown c1964. Book still ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 500.00
 
 
Details...Bookmark
Wyoming's Wonderland   [135062]1251 - Wyoming's Wonderland [135062]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Two titles featuring Wyoming's wonderland: travel brochure for Jackson Lake Lodge, Jenny Lake Lodge and Teton Lodge; "A Ramble in Wonderlan...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to L******8 for (30.00 + 6.60BP) = 36.60
 
Details...Bookmark
Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition (AYPE) Collection  [138100]1252 - Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition (AYPE) Collection [138100]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition 1909 Collection that includes 34 postcards plus stamps. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Alaska City:
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (120.00 + 30.00BP) = 150.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Panama California International Exposition Ephemera  [135661]1253 - Panama California International Exposition Ephemera [135661]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of seven pieces from San Diego's expositions of 1916 and 1935 & 6. Souvenir tickets, pass for 1915, Official Guides, postal cover. Da...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
Sold to g*********r for (65.00 + 16.25BP) = 81.25
 
Details...Bookmark
Cal. Midwinter International Exposition Booklets  [135204]1254 - Cal. Midwinter International Exposition Booklets [135204]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 2 different versions of the same booklet. Red and green covers. Includes 14 panels of illustrations of scenes at the expo printed on glossy pap
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold to g*********r for (100.00 + 25.00BP) = 125.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Cal. Midwinter International Exposition Booklets (4)  [135206]1255 - Cal. Midwinter International Exposition Booklets (4) [135206]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 4 different. Nice collection! All have illustrations printed on glossy paper that unfold in an accordion-style. 1) Smallest booklet is 4.5 x ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 250.00 | Estimate : 500.00 - 1,000.00
 
 
Details...Bookmark
Cal. Midwinter International Exposition Collection  [132924]1256 - Cal. Midwinter International Exposition Collection [132924]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 12. 1) Beautiful advertising under-glass of the Mechanical Arts Building. 4 x 5.5" Chips along edges. 2) Booklet, "The Magic City, ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold to L******8 for (600.00 + 132.00BP) = 732.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Cal. Midwinter International Exposition Ad. Covers & Letterhead  [135241]1257 - Cal. Midwinter International Exposition Ad. Covers & Letterhead [135241]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 6. 1) Five pictorial advertising covers: Haas Brothers (Wholesale Grocers), 1894 Redding cancel; Victor Enginger, Golden Gate Wire Cloth Manufa
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 500.00 - 1,200.00
Sold to C*****r for (275.00 + 68.75BP) = 343.75
 
Details...Bookmark
Pan Pacific Buttons & Ribbons  [132638]1258 - Pan Pacific Buttons & Ribbons [132638]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of eight pieces from the 1915 Exposition: elongated penny; Contra Costa Day; Sierra-Plumas Society; Opening Day badge and buttons. Official award
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold to g*********r for (160.00 + 40.00BP) = 200.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Pan-Pacific Expo. Ticket Collection  [135022]1259 - Pan-Pacific Expo. Ticket Collection [135022]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This collection of the Panama-Pacific Expo. includes tickets, invitations from Chinese dignataries, governors, and one souviner with a hidden love le
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 500.00
Sold to b*******n for (200.00 + 50.00BP) = 250.00
 
Details...Bookmark