The Big Bonanza Auction: Mining, Philatelic, Numismatics, Americana (March 2023)

Auction CurrencyUSD Auction Location3555 Airway Drive Suite 309, Reno, Nevada, 89511, United States In Person PreviewPreview

Auction Details

Welcome to The Big Bonanza Auction!
 
This is our first live sale since the world-record breaking second (and final) SS Central America Shipwreck Artifacts Auction, which took place on March 4th & 5th, 2023. Virtual catalogs for the SSCA sales are still available on our website and include numerous research essays and articles. We’d sincerely like to thank all who participated and contributed to these historic two auctions!
 
Out of the ocean and back onto land, we’re pleased to present the phenomenal Big Bonanza Auction! This is a 4-day sale encompassing over 2,000 lots in over a dozen collecting categories.
 
Since this auction features Part I of the best Comstock mining collection ever to hit the market, we chose an auction name that honors the “Big Bonanza” ore discovery of 1873 in Virginia City, Nevada!
 
In addition to the Comstock collection, this sale is supplemented by rarities from the Gary Bracken Collection; the Jim & Barbara Sherman Private Western Mining Museum Collection; the Joe Elcano Nevada Collection; the Chunlin Zhu Mineral Collection; as well as others.
 
HIGHLIGHTS
 
*The Comstock Collection, Part I*
We’re honored to have been chosen to sell this lifetime Nevada and Comstock Collection. This collection will be sold in multiple parts. Part I, in this sale, focuses on mining stock certificates, ore specimens, ephemera, and publications. Each of these groups includes spectacular items!
 
Within the group of ephemera are pieces dating back to very beginning of the Comstock mining rush. This includes an 1859 mining deed for the Ophir claim, signed by Judge Walsh and mentioning the original discovers. We’re calling this the “Comstock Founding Fathers” mining deed (Lot 4204), and it is truly worthy of the most advanced private or institutional collection. Or see the 1860 illustrated “Wash-Oh!” lettersheet (Lot 4205) with a spectacular cartoon highlighting the dangers of mining stock speculation! Or an 1859 letter (Lot 4206) mentioning some of the first ore Comstock assays!
 
This collection also features hundreds of Comstock checks with great rarities, revenue types, and key autographs represented. Included in this group is the Chollar-Potosi RN check with violet stamp (Lot 4151), the rarest of all Nevada revenue checks!
 
The ore collection includes high grade gold and silver specimens from key Comstock mines, including the Crown Point, Chollar, California, Gould & Curry, Hale & Norcross, and Ophir. Many are from the famous Gottschalk Ore Collection, with original labels.
 
The stock certificate section is phenomenal, with key autograph pieces and dozens of territorial pieces including perhaps the earliest Comstock mining stock ever issued! It also features 1870s-80s stocks from the key major mines, which can sometimes be even rarer than territorial pieces.
 
Part I will grab the attention of the Comstock and Nevada mining collecting community worldwide. And stay tuned for more items from this collection in different categories coming up in future sales!
 
*The Gary Bracken Collection, Part V*
We’re thrilled to offer more great collectibles from the lifetime collection of Oklahoma lawyer Gary Bracken. This auction features a large Philatelic offering, including US and foreign covers and lettersheets, ultra rare stamps, and express covers. Also from the Bracken Collection: rare items from the famous 101 Ranch including a beaded gun belt (Lot 4017) and original advertising posters; a Buffalo Bill CDV (Lot 4020); Colorado bottles, stocks, and ephemera including a fantastic Baby Doe Tabor Archive (Lot 1238); Native American pottery, and more.
 
*The Jim & Barbara Sherman Private Western Mining Museum Collection*
A new round of rarities from this fantastic Arizona collection. This sale includes: artifacts from Western forts in Arizona, New Mexico, Montana, and Wyoming; rare 19th-century ammunition and antique firearms incl. a Confederate revolver and Winchester rifles; and Civil War militaria.
 
*Railroadiana*
A brand new batch of railroad and steamer passes from a private collection. Many feature great vignettes. These are always a huge hit with our collectors; this is a robust collecting community! A key piece is a Central Pacific pass signed by Collis P. Huntington (Lot 1009), one of the “Big Four.” And if you have a collection of passes you’re ready to sell, please consider our auction house; we’re setting records!
 
*Numismatics*
This section includes a new group of very rare Nevada national banknotes (Elko, Ely, Reno); liberty war bonds; US gold coins and coin collections; California and Nevada medals; and more.

*American Bank Note Co. (& Other Engravers) Printers Plate Collection*
The start of a major offering, this sale features rare printers plates from the American Bank Note Company and other engravers. These plates were used for currency and stocks/bonds. Plates are lotted in both the Stock & Currency Sections in the catalog. This collection has not come to market before and should generate huge excitement with our numismatic & stock collectors!
 
*Native Americana*
The Native Americana section in this sale is strong! In addition to pottery from the Bracken Collection, this section has arrowheads, beadwork and clothing, Sioux peace pipes, cradleboards, and jewelry.
 
*Mining & Minerals*
This category is dominated by the previously-mentioned Comstock Collection, but also includes California assay ephemera, mining documents from Colorado and Montana, mineral and fossil specimens from the Chunlin Zhu Collection, and mining artifacts.
 
*General Americana*
A nice group of ephemera from Western states (particularly California, Colorado, Montana, and Nevada) incl. rare West Coast directories and Gold Rush checks & exchanges; plus sub-categories such as art, jewelry, gaming, political collectibles, and sports. The sports category includes historic letters from baseball legend Connie Mack! And much more…
 
Please be sure to use the Keyword Search Tool on our website (holabirdamericana.com) to search for items in your collecting categories.
 
*Timed Auctions*
There is a new auction format we have been experimenting with since last December: special weekend timed auctions. These sales are a mix of both new and old material, and they are where we will now run our lower-priced and/or dealer lots. We have always believed the collectors—you—set the market value. With that philosophy in mind, we’ve set very low start prices (usually just $10) on all lots in the timed auctions. The timed auctions have been a huge hit with our bidders and are a fun format we will be continuing to use in the future. (We just had one this last weekend!) Please check our website or subscribe to our email list to be notified of these internet-only auctions hosted exclusively on iCollector, our preferred auction platform.
 
Ready to sell your collection? We’re always looking for high-quality consignments in many categories, including Mining, Railroadiana, Native Americana, Numismatics, Bottles, Firearms, Stocks, and more.
 
If you would like to know more about consigning, or if you have any questions or comments about this sale, please give our office a call at 775-851-1859. 
 
Our friendly staff is ready to help you continue to build your collection. We’ve created an astonishing community of customers around the world, including private collectors, institutions, and dealers. Remember, your collection could set the next world-record!
 
Thanks again for your continued interest in our auctions. And as we like to say, bid early and bid often!
 
--The Holabird Team-- 


Auction Schedule

Thursday, March 30th, 2023, Lots 1000-1552

Railroadiana & Steamship (1000-1126)

Railroad & Steamer Passes

Transportation Ephemera

General Americana (1127-1502)

Geo. Sort

Political

Jewelry

Musical Instruments

Tobacco & Gaming

Sports

Miscellaneous

Bottles, Brewing, Saloon (1503-1552)



Friday, March 31st, 2023, Lots 2000-2548

Art (2000-2062)

Militaria & Firearms (2063-2192)

Stocks & Bonds (2193-2548)

Mining feat. the Comstock Collection

Railroad

Miscellaneous



Saturday, April 1st, 2023, Lots 3000-3531

Native Americana (3000-3148)

Numismatics feat. Nevada Banknotes (3149-3285)

Philatelic (3286-3531)

Express & US Covers

US Stamps

Foreign Stamps & Covers



Sunday, April 2nd, 2023, Lots 4000-4400

Cowboy & Old West feat. 101 Ranch Group (4000-4026)

Mining feat. the Comstock Ore & Ephemera Collection (4027-4400)

Ephemera & Ore

Minerals, Fossils, Viewing Stones

SHIPPING & HANDLING: The customer is responsible for all shipping and packaging charges. We offer shipping service as a convenience to our buyers. Items are not shipped until the invoice and shipping charges are completely paid. Shipping costs will be calculated and billed separately after your items have been paid for. Purchases will be shipped via our approved, insured carriers: FedEx, UPS, USPS or DHL. Pick up is available from our Reno office, once you have received your invoice post auction
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Comstock Mining Check Collection incl. William Sharon Rarity [155511]4200 - Comstock Mining Check Collection incl. William Sharon Rarity [155511]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 14. 1) Best is a Union Mill & Mining Company, Bank of California check issued to and signed by William Sharon for $50,000 (over $1 millio...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 800.00
Sold to f*****E for (275.00 + 0.00BP) = 275.00
 
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Comstock Checks for Important Figures incl. Sharon, Mackay, Fair, Hobart [155519]4201 - Comstock Checks for Important Figures incl. Sharon, Mackay, Fair, Hobart [155519]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 7 different. 1) Union Mill & Mining Company. One of the great Comstock check rarities. Only 5 examples currently known. This check is iss...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 250.00 | Estimate : 500.00 - 900.00
 
 
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Comstock Mill Check Collection incl. William Sharon Rarity [155513]4202 - Comstock Mill Check Collection incl. William Sharon Rarity [155513]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 10 different. Fantastic group! 1) Best is a Union Mill & Mining Company, Bank of California check issued to and signed by William Sharon ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 250.00 | Estimate : 500.00 - 900.00
 
 
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Two of the Earliest Virginia City, Nevada Territory Checks Known [163895]4203 - Two of the Earliest Virginia City, Nevada Territory Checks Known [163895]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 2 incredibly early Comstock checks. 1) Wells Fargo & Co. check. Dateline Va City, March 11th, 1861. Pay to C.S. $20. Signed by Charles St...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold to s*******t for (200.00 + 50.00BP) = 250.00
 
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Earliest Known Comstock Lode Mining Document: 1859 Ophir Diggings, Utah Territory Deed [164338]4204 - Earliest Known Comstock Lode Mining Document: 1859 Ophir Diggings, Utah Territory Deed [164338]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Fantastic & historic! This document dates to the very beginning of the Comstock Lode silver rush. It mentions one of the most important mining c...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 5,000.00 - 10,000.00
Sold to i***y for (13,500.00 + 3,375.00BP) = 16,875.00
 
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Spectacular Comstock "Wash-Oh!" Illustrated Lettersheet, 1860 [164480]4205 - Spectacular Comstock "Wash-Oh!" Illustrated Lettersheet, 1860 [164480]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Exceptionally rare. This exact piece was sold by FH in 2008. There are no known used examples. Baird 328. Drawn and Engraved by TC Boyd, No. 149 Clay
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 3,000.00 - 6,000.00
Sold to c********l.. for (4,600.00 + 1,150.00BP) = 5,750.00
 
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1859 Letter to Judge James Walsh Regarding First Comstock Ore Assays [164479]4206 - 1859 Letter to Judge James Walsh Regarding First Comstock Ore Assays [164479]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Spectacular. This letter was sent from San Francisco, Nov. 21st, 1859, right at the beginning of the Comstock silver rush. It is addressed to Judge Ja
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 2,000.00
Sold to c********e for (2,800.00 + 700.00BP) = 3,500.00
 
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V&T Railroad Receipt Signed by Emanuel Penrod, One of the Original Comstock Discoverers [164481]4207 - V&T Railroad Receipt Signed by Emanuel Penrod, One of the Original Comstock Discoverers [164481]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Extremely rare Comstock autograph. Virginia & Truckee Railroad receipt, Carson, March 14th, 1872. Issued to E. Penrod for 9 7/8 cords of nut pin...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 2,000.00
 
 
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Extremely Rare Mining & Milling Pamphlet by Almarin B. Paul [164474]4208 - Extremely Rare Mining & Milling Pamphlet by Almarin B. Paul [164474]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Never seen by FH. This is the only copy we've ever offered. "A Revolution in Mining. Paul's Electric Dry Amalgamating Barrel Process. A...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 600.00 - 1,500.00
Sold to m********y for (350.00 + 87.50BP) = 437.50
 
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Map of the Washoe District (Comstock Lode), G.F. Becker, 1881  [164470]4209 - Map of the Washoe District (Comstock Lode), G.F. Becker, 1881 [164470]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
"Map of the Washoe District Showing Mining Claims." Taken out of Becker, Comstock Mining & Miners Plate III. Claims mapped by Hoffman ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold to G**V for (150.00 + 37.50BP) = 187.50
 
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Map of Washoe District, Nev. Showing Comstock Lode, Wheeler [164471]4210 - Map of Washoe District, Nev. Showing Comstock Lode, Wheeler [164471]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Predates Becker. From Expeditions of 1876 & 1877 Under the Command of Captain Geo. M. Wheeler, Corps of Engineers US Army. Detailed map of claim...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold to G**V for (225.00 + 56.25BP) = 281.25
 
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Rare Map of Virginia City, Nevada Mining Claims [164472]4211 - Rare Map of Virginia City, Nevada Mining Claims [164472]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Undated map on vellum that shows claims patented by the California MC, Con. Virginia, Ophir, JB Overton, Union Consolidated, Mexican, and Central Silv
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 250.00 | Estimate : 500.00 - 1,500.00
 
 
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Territorial Comstock Mining Indenture Selling to Best & Belcher Co. [164358]4212 - Territorial Comstock Mining Indenture Selling to Best & Belcher Co. [164358]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Indenture dated August 10th, 1863 between NO Arrington (and his wife) and the Best & Belcher Mining Company. Selling land on Howard and Taylor S...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 600.00
Sold to m********r for (140.00 + 35.00BP) = 175.00
 
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1862 Virginia City Mining Deeds for the Birdsall Claim [164469]4213 - 1862 Virginia City Mining Deeds for the Birdsall Claim [164469]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 2. Both are from Sam. Wasserman for interest in the Birdsall Claim. 1) Indenture dated June 10th, 1862 between Sam. Wasserman of Virginia City
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold to 2*****l for (200.00 + 44.00BP) = 244.00
 
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Devils Gate Mining District Deed, Utah Territory (Very Early Comstock) [164468]4214 - Devils Gate Mining District Deed, Utah Territory (Very Early Comstock) [164468]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Dated Oct. 2nd, 1860. James H. Dowd of Carson County in the Territory of Utah (Nevada Territory wouldn't be formed till March 1861) sells to Jam...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to 6****A for (130.00 + 32.50BP) = 162.50
 
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Devils Gate Mining District Documents, Comstock Lode [164348]4215 - Devils Gate Mining District Documents, Comstock Lode [164348]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 3 different. The Devils Gate Mining District was located at Silver City, Nevada. 1) 1863 (territorial) indenture between HB Jones of Silver Cit
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to m********r for (140.00 + 35.00BP) = 175.00
 
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Silver City, Nevada Territory Mining Assessment [164344]4216 - Silver City, Nevada Territory Mining Assessment [164344]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Rare Silver City territorial piece. Dateline Silver City, February 1864. Assessment to Nelson Boukofsky for one share of Florence G&S Mining Co....
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to G**V for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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1862 Virginia City Land Survey [164490]4217 - 1862 Virginia City Land Survey [164490]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Early territorial survey completed August 13th, 1862 by EL Mason, Dep. Co. Surveyor, for land of WE Bidleman, who owned a milk ranch at Cedar Ravine.
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
 
 
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Three 1862 Virginia City, Nevada Land Surveys [164509]4218 - Three 1862 Virginia City, Nevada Land Surveys [164509]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 3 very early land surveys for property on the Comstock. All have sketches of the property. All signed by Dep. Co. Surveyor Mason. 1) Survey for
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 200.00 | Estimate : 400.00 - 500.00
 
 
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Comstock "Bonanza Mines" Annual Reports: California and Consolidated Virginia [164351]4219 - Comstock "Bonanza Mines" Annual Reports: California and Consolidated Virginia [164351]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 2 different, both rare. The California and Con. Virginia were adjacent mines controlled by the Bonanza Firm and the site of the Big Bonanza dis
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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