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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Elsie the Cow Postcard Collection  [137937]5340 - Elsie the Cow Postcard Collection [137937]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of over 40 postcards featuring Elsie the Cow, the longtime mascot of the Borden Dairy company. Also featuring her boy friend Elmer, and her famous
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 80.00 - 100.00
Sold to d*******f for (40.00 + 10.00BP) = 50.00
 
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Etched Postcards Group from the Ken Prag Collection  [135214]5341 - Etched Postcards Group from the Ken Prag Collection [135214]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 60+. From around the world: Salzburg, Luzern, Bern, Paris, Wien, Mount Shasta, Frankfurt, etc. From the early 1900's. See the photograph ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 70.00 - 120.00
Sold to d*******f for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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Fishing Postcard ~ 60  [137062]5342 - Fishing Postcard ~ 60 [137062]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Collection of about sixty (60) postcards, of which about 15 or so are RPC's, all themed around fishing. This is all sort of fishing, from saltwa...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 60.00 - 120.00
Sold to d*******f for (100.00 + 25.00BP) = 125.00
 
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Florabundance in Postcards >500 pcs  [137661]5343 - Florabundance in Postcards >500 pcs [137661]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
More than 500 colorful postcards featuring flowers, whether individual or in bouquets or out in the fields, here is an abundance of flowery postcards
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 200.00 | Estimate : 400.00 - 800.00
 
 
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Elks Club Postcard Collection  [133668]5344 - Elks Club Postcard Collection [133668]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of approximately 140 postcards featuring the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Conventions, Lodges, Parades.One leather postcard. Date:
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to m********s.. for (65.00 + 16.25BP) = 81.25
 
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Fraternal Elks BPOE Postcard Collection 100+  [137917]5345 - Fraternal Elks BPOE Postcard Collection 100+ [137917]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
About a hundred postcard views of Elks Clubs around the US Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: Ken Prag Collection
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to m********s.. for (40.00 + 10.00BP) = 50.00
 
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Fraternal Postcard Group (50)  [137913]5346 - Fraternal Postcard Group (50) [137913]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
About 50 various Fraternal postcards;14 A.O.U.W.; 6 IOOF; 8 Knights of Columbus; 5 Knights of Pythias; 3 Woodmenof the World; 24 various Date: Cou
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
Sold to m********s.. for (65.00 + 16.25BP) = 81.25
 
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Fraternal & Masonic Postcard Collection 100+  [137916]5347 - Fraternal & Masonic Postcard Collection 100+ [137916]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
About a hundred or more postcard views of Masonic Temples and Halls. Date: Country (if not USA): State: California City: Provenance: Ken Prag
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to d*******f for (100.00 + 25.00BP) = 125.00
 
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Fruit & Vegetable Agriculture Postcards ~ 350  [138799]5348 - Fruit & Vegetable Agriculture Postcards ~ 350 [138799]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Seven-inch stack of mostly full-color postcards with a few black & white to season the bunch, all featuring some kind of fruit or vegetable prod...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 600.00
Sold to d*******f for (300.00 + 75.00BP) = 375.00
 
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Golfing Postcard and Scorecard Collection  [138833]5349 - Golfing Postcard and Scorecard Collection [138833]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Over 160 postcards from golf courses around the country, Japan and Panama. From the earlier made postcards through RPCs, white border, and modern. Als
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold to d*******f for (325.00 + 81.25BP) = 406.25
 
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Gary Dixon Postcard Group - 21  [137677]5350 - Gary Dixon Postcard Group - 21 [137677]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Twenty-one postcards labeled Expressions by Gary Dixon -- an eclectic variety of images and styles that make his work hard to pin down. See image for
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 60.00 - 120.00
Sold to t********f for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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Glass Manufacturer Postcard Collection  [138930]5351 - Glass Manufacturer Postcard Collection [138930]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 12 cards showing glass blowing, crystalware, Corning Glass Center, Corning New York; Avalon cut glass Date: Country (if not USA): State:
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 60.00 - 100.00
Sold to A*******d for (20.00 + 4.40BP) = 24.40
 
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Helicopter Postcards - about 200+  [137115]5352 - Helicopter Postcards - about 200+ [137115]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Postcards of Helicopters, first group of about 18 different ones, mostly color. The majority of the rest are about 180 promotional postcards from Sun
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
 
 
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Horses and Horse Racing Postcards ~ 150  [138803]5353 - Horses and Horse Racing Postcards ~ 150 [138803]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Approximately 150 color and black & white postcards featuring portraits of horses, horse racing tracks, and the people who love horses. Date: ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 200.00
Sold to d*******f for (85.00 + 21.25BP) = 106.25
 
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Humor and Humorous Ad Postcards ~ 150  [138802]5354 - Humor and Humorous Ad Postcards ~ 150 [138802]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Postcards with cute illustrations that might be witty or funny and some using humorous characters to advertise a particular product. Mostly color with
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to d*******f for (130.00 + 32.50BP) = 162.50
 
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H.B. Griggs Art Postcards (About 50)  [136527]5355 - H.B. Griggs Art Postcards (About 50) [136527]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
About 50 cards in this collection of artful cards. Some do not have the Griggs signature but are L&H series from Germany. Date: Country (if n...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 50.00 - 100.00
Sold to d*******f for (55.00 + 13.75BP) = 68.75
 
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Marine Postcards (About 50)  [136524]5356 - Marine Postcards (About 50) [136524]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
About 50 cards of marine bases, Naval stations, and general marine related cards. Includes 5 RPC's Date: Country (if not USA): State: Cit...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 70.00 - 150.00
Sold to j*******h for (35.00 + 7.70BP) = 42.70
 
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U. S. Military Postcard Group (Over 200 cards)  [138119]5357 - U. S. Military Postcard Group (Over 200 cards) [138119]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Army, Marines, Navy and related cards. These cards range from Spanish American War, WWI, WWII and later. Some RPCs, some humorous cards sent home to
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold to d*******f for (300.00 + 75.00BP) = 375.00
 
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Panorama Folding Postcards  [133670]5358 - Panorama Folding Postcards [133670]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of three panoramic folding post cards. 1) two fold panoramic view of Ashley, North Dakota. 2) two fold photo of New Rockford North Dakota. 3) four
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 60.00 - 100.00
Sold to j*******h for (20.00 + 4.40BP) = 24.40
 
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Patriotism Postcards - (15)  [136055]5359 - Patriotism Postcards - (15) [136055]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 15 color postcards with patriotic and Naval themes. Cards include the battleships, U.S.S. Texas & U.S.S. Georgia and several stars & ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 80.00 - 120.00
Sold to t********f for (40.00 + 10.00BP) = 50.00
 
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