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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Sterling Overlay Earrings  [136932]3000 - Sterling Overlay Earrings [136932]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Native American earrings by Hopi Silversmith Guild—image of sun face/sterling on back. Oval overlay sterling silver with cutout oval; .75
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 140.00
Sold to b********a.. for (70.00 + 17.50BP) = 87.50
 
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Bench Bead Necklace  [137242]3001 - Bench Bead Necklace [137242]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Vintage Navajo sterling silver hand stamped bench bead necklace, graduated beads, 21" long, Date: Country (if not USA): State: Arizona C...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 250.00 - 300.00
Sold to M********9 for (100.00 + 25.00BP) = 125.00
 
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Chip Inlay Design Navajo Cuff  [136977]3002 - Chip Inlay Design Navajo Cuff [136977]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Vintage Navajo wide silver cuff with turquoise and coral chip inlay designs. 4.5 inside measure, 1" gap. Main part of design is in great condit...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 260.00 - 360.00
Sold to I******f for (110.00 + 27.50BP) = 137.50
 
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Chip Inlay Peyote Bird Necklace  [136969]3003 - Chip Inlay Peyote Bird Necklace [136969]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Peyote chip inlay necklace (turquoise and coral)--squash blossom style. 26" long, plus 3" naja. Hallmarked with a bear paw. Possibly Tommy...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,200.00 - 2,000.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (600.00 + 150.00BP) = 750.00
 
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Coral and Silver Earrings  [136929]3004 - Coral and Silver Earrings [136929]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Vintage Native American sterling etched and overlay dangle earrings, with salmon colored natural coral stones. Hallmarked M T Sterling (possibly Melvi
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 200.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (90.00 + 22.50BP) = 112.50
 
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Dancing Figures Pin  [136570]3005 - Dancing Figures Pin [136570]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Beautiful 14K gold overlay on silver of four dancers on small pin. Hallmarked "HM.Y". we are unable to locate this artist's name. 1&qu...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (100.00 + 25.00BP) = 125.00
 
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Eagle Dancer Chip Inlay in Tortoise Shell Belt Buckle  [136967]3006 - Eagle Dancer Chip Inlay in Tortoise Shell Belt Buckle [136967]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Eagle Dancer Navajo belt buckle with chip inlay in tortoise shell set into sandcast silver. Artistry by either Frank Vacit or Dan Simplicio. Turquois
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 260.00 - 400.00
Sold to b********a.. for (400.00 + 100.00BP) = 500.00
 
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Early Navajo Turquoise Bolo  [137160]3007 - Early Navajo Turquoise Bolo [137160]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Vintage Navajo Bolo--no hallmark. Beautiful turquoise triangular stone, possibly Royston turquoise. Great silver work partially overlays stone. 2&qu...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 500.00 - 800.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (325.00 + 81.25BP) = 406.25
 
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Five Stones Navajo Cuff  [136976]3008 - Five Stones Navajo Cuff [136976]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Old pawn cuff features 5 nice cabochons of old natural turquoise set in silver, twisted wire. 4.75" inside measure. 1.25" gap. Date: C...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to d*******f for (110.00 + 27.50BP) = 137.50
 
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Four Silver/Turquoise Pendants  [137276]3009 - Four Silver/Turquoise Pendants [137276]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1) Turquoise stone set in wire wrap silver with leaf, 1.25" x.75", hallmarked "R T". 2) Green turquoise stone almost square, se...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (190.00 + 47.50BP) = 237.50
 
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Four Women's Turquoise Rings  [137212]3010 - Four Women's Turquoise Rings [137212]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1) Shadowbox, oval turquoise stone, fancy setting, size 6.5. 2) small turquoise stone set in silver with twisted wire, size 6. 3) Shadowbox setting, t
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to C*****r for (250.00 + 62.50BP) = 312.50
 
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Fred Harvey Era Cuffs  [137223]3011 - Fred Harvey Era Cuffs [137223]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Four vintage cuffs made for the tourist trade: one is marked sterling. all have turquoise stones and also has two carved jet stones. These are great c
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold to d*******f for (225.00 + 56.25BP) = 281.25
 
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Fred Harvey Era Pins  [137246]3012 - Fred Harvey Era Pins [137246]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Two pins: 1) Very nice Fred Harvey era pin, set with green turquoise stone, 2.75" x .75". 2) Small arrow pin with whirling log symbol set ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 160.00 - 260.00
Sold to d*******f for (90.00 + 22.50BP) = 112.50
 
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Jerry Cowboy Bolo  [136939]3013 - Jerry Cowboy Bolo [136939]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Rectangular silver bolo set with beautiful oval turquoise stone. Leaf design. Hallmarked "C" on reverse. ivory leather tie with silver tip...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (150.00 + 37.50BP) = 187.50
 
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Jerry Roan Ring  [137206]3014 - Jerry Roan Ring [137206]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Rare Jerry Roan (1919-1977) Kachina silver ring set with turquoise stones, size 7. Kachina--1.75" x .75". Hallmarked on back. Date: c ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 700.00
Sold to r*******4 for (200.00 + 50.00BP) = 250.00
 
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Jimmy Yazzie Bolo  [136947]3015 - Jimmy Yazzie Bolo [136947]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Beautiful modern design turquoise petit point with gold wash. 2" x 2" at larges part. Shadowbox with twisted wire. Hallmarked "J Y&qu...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold to r*******R for (150.00 + 37.50BP) = 187.50
 
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Lapis Sterling Earrings by Jackson  [136931]3016 - Lapis Sterling Earrings by Jackson [136931]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Sterling silver lapis lazuli earrings sighed Jackson Sterling (probably Gene and Martha). Beautiful lapis teardrop shaped stones. 1” long, ha
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 200.00
Sold to r**4 for (160.00 + 40.00BP) = 200.00
 
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Large Tufa Cast Naja  [137257]3017 - Large Tufa Cast Naja [137257]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Early Navajo tufa cast naja pendant, attributed to Anthony Bowman, Ute/Navajo. This naja has a turquoise stone (possibly Morenci) set in twisted wire.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 250.00 - 300.00
Sold to d*******f for (225.00 + 56.25BP) = 281.25
 
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Large Turquoise Stone/Silver Bolo  [136946]3018 - Large Turquoise Stone/Silver Bolo [136946]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Vintage bolo with large oval turquoise stone mounted with twisted wire on curved edge silver. Artist is unknown. Black braided tie with silver tips. 2
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
Sold to C*****r for (170.00 + 42.50BP) = 212.50
 
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Lost Mine Turquoise Bolo  [136936]3019 - Lost Mine Turquoise Bolo [136936]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Large oval silver bolo ( 2.5" x 1.75") with large Lost Mine (New Mexico) oval turquoise stone (1.5" x 1") set shadow box style w...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (250.00 + 62.50BP) = 312.50
 
Details...Bookmark