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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Long Beach Post Card Collection - Modern  [137960]5200 - Long Beach Post Card Collection - Modern [137960]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
approx 100 modern era cards of various city & interior scenes Date: Country (if not USA): State: California City: Long Beach Provenance: ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 60.00 - 80.00
Sold to j*******h for (20.00 + 4.40BP) = 24.40
 
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Long Beach - Pike Post Card Collection  [137965]5201 - Long Beach - Pike Post Card Collection [137965]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
22 Long Beach Pike & beach scenes including 2 white border RPCs. Date: Country (if not USA): State: California City: Long Beach Provenanc...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 80.00 - 100.00
Sold to j*******h for (20.00 + 4.40BP) = 24.40
 
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Long Beach Auditorium Post Card Collection  [137972]5202 - Long Beach Auditorium Post Card Collection [137972]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
18 cards, 3 RPCs, dating from 1906, featuring the Long Beach Auditorium on the Pier, including 2 interior views. Date: Country (if not USA): Stat
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 40.00 | Estimate : 80.00 - 100.00
 
 
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Long Beach Bath House Post Card Collection  [137968]5203 - Long Beach Bath House Post Card Collection [137968]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
approx 40 cards, dating from 1906, depicting outdoor & indoor bath houses including "The Plunge." Date: Country (if not USA): Sta...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 80.00 - 150.00
Sold to b*******e for (50.00 + 11.00BP) = 61.00
 
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Mariposa Grove Postcard Collection  [132574]5204 - Mariposa Grove Postcard Collection [132574]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
The Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias located at the southern end of Yosemite National Park are pictured on these 131 postcards. From Private Mailing
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 600.00
Sold to L******8 for (100.00 + 22.00BP) = 122.00
 
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Rare Mathews (Siskiyou County) Postcard Postmark  [132557]5205 - Rare Mathews (Siskiyou County) Postcard Postmark [132557]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Miss Mabel Gregory of Montague in Siskiyou County received this color postcard of Bridal Veil Falls in Yosemite Valley. It was postmarked at Mathews,
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 60.00 - 100.00
Sold to L******8 for (30.00 + 6.60BP) = 36.60
 
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Mission California Postcard Collection  [137844]5206 - Mission California Postcard Collection [137844]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
About 200-250 postcards, c1905-1960. A wide and varied group Date: Country (if not USA): State: California City: Mission Provenance: Ken Prag
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold to b*******e for (150.00 + 33.00BP) = 183.00
 
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Stanford/Palo Alto Postcard collection  [133714]5207 - Stanford/Palo Alto Postcard collection [133714]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Over 100 postcards of Stanford University and Palo Alto. 26 black and white, 11 black and white RPCs, 9 color RPCs. About 20 non-split backs. Date:
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to j*******h for (35.00 + 7.70BP) = 42.70
 
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Various California Postcards (20)  [136049]5208 - Various California Postcards (20) [136049]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A nice group of postcards that would thrill any Stanford University Cardinal. While there are a few shots of unidentified people posing, most are of s
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 60.00 - 100.00
Sold to d*******f for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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Placerville and Tahoe Postcard Group (13)  [136456]5209 - Placerville and Tahoe Postcard Group (13) [136456]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of thirteen lucky postcards including mostly scenes from historic Placerville sites and a few Tahoe pieces. Date: Country (if not USA): State
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 60.00 - 100.00
Sold to y******e for (25.00 + 6.25BP) = 31.25
 
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