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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History of the Spanish American War  [137427]3450 - History of the Spanish American War [137427]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
by Henry Waterson, 1898 Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance:
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 80.00 - 100.00
Sold to d*******f for (90.00 + 22.50BP) = 112.50
 
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The Story of the War of 1898  [136001]3451 - The Story of the War of 1898 [136001]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Elegant large hardback volume. "The Story of the Spanish-American War and the Revolt in the Philippines," told by W. Nephew King. Illustra...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (500.00 + 125.00BP) = 625.00
 
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Books on Cuban Conflict of the Spanish American War  [136791]3452 - Books on Cuban Conflict of the Spanish American War [136791]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This is a lot of six books dealing with the history of the Cuban campaign during the Spanish American War. First, "History of the Essex Troop&q...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 600.00
 
 
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"Troop "C' In Service" by Anthony Fiala (Autographed)  [136784]3453 - "Troop "C' In Service" by Anthony Fiala (Autographed) [136784]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
An Account of the Part Played by Troop "C" of the New York Volunteer Cavalry in the Spanish-American War of 1898. [Brooklyn, N. Y.] :[Eagl...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 75.00 | Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
 
 
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Moro Rebellion, Philippine–American War, Real Photo Postcard Collection  [134216]3454 - Moro Rebellion, Philippine–American War, Real Photo Postcard Collection [134216]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 15 pieces. Includes very graphic images! 1) Twelve real photo postcards. a) Two showing a Moro native displaying the head of someone identified
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 1,000.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (375.00 + 93.75BP) = 468.75
 
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War in the Philippines Book Trio  [136789]3455 - War in the Philippines Book Trio [136789]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Three books focused on the Spanish American War. Included is "The Life of George Dewey and the Conquest of the Philippines" by J.R. Jones ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (500.00 + 125.00BP) = 625.00
 
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Photo Diary of Pancho Villa by W.H. Horne, with 3 Books on the Mexican Revolution  [133775]3456 - Photo Diary of Pancho Villa by W.H. Horne, with 3 Books on the Mexican Revolution [133775]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
The primary feature of this lot is a massive and important collection of 184 real photo postcards (RPCs) and six original 5 x7 prints, most of which
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 12,500.00 | Estimate : 25,000.00 - 50,000.00
 
 
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"Here Comes Pancho Villa" by Louis Stevens  [136823]3457 - "Here Comes Pancho Villa" by Louis Stevens [136823]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Biography about the Mexican revolutionary leader by Louis Stevens. It's subtitled "The Anecdotal History of a Genial Killer." Book is ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 60.00 - 100.00
Sold to j*****0 for (20.00 + 4.40BP) = 24.40
 
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Pancho Villa Postcard Depicting Damaged Homes  [138965]3458 - Pancho Villa Postcard Depicting Damaged Homes [138965]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Back reads Mexican Mud-homes distroyed by Villa's men in Columbus NM 1916 Date: Country (if not USA): State: New Mexico City: Provenanc...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 60.00 - 100.00
Sold to p******1 for (60.00 + 13.20BP) = 73.20
 
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Called To Service Coin- Defending the Mexican Border of the United States  [137726]3459 - Called To Service Coin- Defending the Mexican Border of the United States [137726]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This call to service bronze coin commemorates the troops that were sent to the Mexican border to defend the United States against Pancho Villa after t
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to p******1 for (275.00 + 60.50BP) = 335.50
 
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