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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Trolley Car Postcard Collection  [133664]2570 - Trolley Car Postcard Collection [133664]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 79 postcards featuring trolley cars, horse drawn trolleys, street cars. Five black and white RPCs, about 30 color RPCs. Date: Country (if
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to a******4 for (90.00 + 22.50BP) = 112.50
 
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Transportation Related Postcards  [127078]2571 - Transportation Related Postcards [127078]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Includes about 100 pieces total of automobile themes. A great group for the car collector! Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenanc
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 80.00 - 160.00
Sold to a******4 for (90.00 + 22.50BP) = 112.50
 
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Truck Postcards (50)  [136068]2572 - Truck Postcards (50) [136068]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A collection of mostly color postcards with a truck theme, including camper shell ads, ranch , timber and moving trucks, even a beach tour truck. Ther
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to a******4 for (75.00 + 18.75BP) = 93.75
 
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Swastika Postcard Collection  [137948]2573 - Swastika Postcard Collection [137948]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Over 30 vintage cards featuring the ancient sign for good luck, long life and prosperity. Five are made of leather. A Fred Harvey cards from Albuquerq
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to d*******f for (95.00 + 23.75BP) = 118.75
 
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Military Man w/ Woolies Real Photo Postcard  [135760]2574 - Military Man w/ Woolies Real Photo Postcard [135760]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Military guy with woolies on horseback. Mexican War period. No photographer or location identified. Reverse has pencil notations: "Lloyd on Len...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 50.00 - 80.00
Sold to m******n for (25.00 + 6.25BP) = 31.25
 
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Military Postcards (66)  [127081]2575 - Military Postcards (66) [127081]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 66 pieces. Includes 6 RPC's; 21 Battleships in color; 16 black and white, Camp Merritt Group; 14 Humor in color; 9 Mine in color. Date: ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to d*******f for (55.00 + 13.75BP) = 68.75
 
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U.S.S. Battleship Postcard Collection  [137598]2576 - U.S.S. Battleship Postcard Collection [137598]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 38 postcards of U.S. Battleships. Battleships: Texas; Maryland; Louisiana; West Virginia; Virginia; U.S.S. Orlick; Ohio; Missouri; Minnesota; W
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 300.00
Sold to C*******3 for (170.00 + 42.50BP) = 212.50
 
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U.S. Navy Postcard Group  (100)  [131643]2577 - U.S. Navy Postcard Group (100) [131643]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A large collection (100) of Naval and maritime themed postcards. Included ones showing early monitor class ships, several for the Great White Fleet er
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to d*******f for (200.00 + 50.00BP) = 250.00
 
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US Navy Photo Postcards - 8  [136079]2578 - US Navy Photo Postcards - 8 [136079]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A lot of eight (8) photo cards showing various aspects of life in the U.S. Navy. Included are shots of Cuba in 1911, the galley on the U.S.S.. Montana
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 50.00 - 75.00
Sold to d*******f for (130.00 + 32.50BP) = 162.50
 
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US Navy Battleship RPC's (17)  [136080]2579 - US Navy Battleship RPC's (17) [136080]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A nice group of 17 RPC's showing various battleships from the early Nevada Class to the later Colorado class ships. Included in this group are t...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 70.00 - 120.00
Sold to d*******f for (325.00 + 81.25BP) = 406.25
 
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