Western Trails & Treasures Auction (February 2022)

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

Auction Details

Welcome to our Western Trails & Treasures Premier Auction, our first auction of 2022!

Our February sale includes items from many important collections, including: the Ron Lerch Western Directory Collection; Joe Elcano Nevada Collection; Ken Prag Railroad Stock Collection; Bill McKivor Mining, Numismatic, & Americana Collection; Stuart MacKenzie Montana Collection; and the Salvatore Falcone Collection, all supplemented by world-class great rarities from other private collections.

Ron Lerch Western Directory Collection Part II

In our December 2021 auction, we began to offer the Ron Lerch Collection of Western Directories, a major historic and all-important reference material collection. And we set world records!

Now we're thrilled to offer the second part of this collection, an exciting group of a few hundred directories. Some of the key pieces in this sale include: Gold Rush-era directories from Nevada City/Grass Valley (1856), Marysville (1853 and 1855), Sacramento, and San Francisco (1854); Truckee & Lake Tahoe (1883 and 1884-85); Placerville (1862) and Placer County (1861); a number of different Sacramento directories; rare railroad directories (Central Pacific 1872 and Northern Pacific Railway 1883); a Portland, Oregon group; California Bay Area; and other Western states including Colorado, Nevada, and Utah, plus a number of very rare multi-county and Pacific Coast 19th-century directories.

Directories are considered “primary source” material, and as such are essential in aspects of historical research!

Joe Elcano Nevada Collection Part II

We're thrilled to continue to sell rare items from Joe Elcano's collection, one of the best Nevada collections we've offered.

This sale features Part II of his Nevada Stock Collection, including a whole new batch of Nevada territorials, plus Joe's Nevada History Libraries. Key Nevada history references include three ultra-rare Nevada directories: 1868-69, 1871, and 1907-08. Joe loved to research the stories behind the historic documents in his collection, and these libraries were invaluable resources for him, as they will be for new Nevada collectors and historians.

We'll begin offering Joe's Nevada Postal History Collection later this year, as well as more rounds of Nevada mining stocks. Stay tuned!

Railroad & Steamer Passes

This sale features over 150 lots of railroad and steamer passes, always a big hit with our collectors! This is one of the largest offerings we've had in years, with pieces coming from five or six private collections. Have your own collection you're considering selling? Contact us!

Numismatics

In addition to more Nevada tokens and medals from the Bill McKivor Collection, our Numismatics section features: a large ingot collection, including an early San Francisco US Mint ingot and mining-related ingots; US & world coins and coin jewelry; medals and so-called dollars; scrip and ephemera incl. a Carson City Mint coin bag; and California tokens.

Stocks/Bonds feat. Railroad Proofs & Specimens

In addition to Nevada mining stocks from the Joe Elcano Collection, our Stocks & Bonds section includes more air, auto, and railroad rarities from Ken Prag's Collection, as well as ultra-rare proof and specimen railroad stocks and bonds from a private collection, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! And don't miss fun groups of stocks we've sorted based on their vignettes and design.

Stuart MacKenzie Montana Collection

The MacKenzie Montana Collection continues, with hundreds of lots of historical Montana documents and ephemera. Included in this sale are rare ledgers and archives from historical Montana businesses and mining companies, plus several hundred checks, including many with imprinted revenue stamps.

General Americana

Our General Americana section is large and diverse, with rare documents, photographs, and ephemera from Western states, as well as sub-categories including Gaming, Bottles & Saloon, Jewelry, Badges, Furnishings (incl. Staffordshire Transferware), and a Musical Instruments section with cellos, violins, and more!

Art

Our Art section includes paintings and prints from artists such as: Craig Sheppard, F.W. Trautwein, Ernest Narjot, G. Harvey, and Thomas Kincaid. Also, beautiful Victorian Era lithographs, Hanna-Barbera animation cells, and more.

Native Americana

Highlights include a Pacific Northwest Totem Pole (15 foot), c1880-1900; Washoe and other baskets; Santo Domingo Pueblo and Randall Blaze pottery; arrowheads; and rare ephemera incl. an 1890s License to Trade with Indians.

Militaria & Political Collectibles

This section features a large group of Civil War and other military knives, plus rare military and political certificates, WWI & II posters, Stanislaw Toegel Anti-Nazi Cartoon Prints, Thomas Mooney Propaganda, political autographs, and more.

Minerals & Mining

Minerals, gems, and fossils, plus mining ephemera incl. Tombstone/Comstock Engraved Steel Anvil Ceremonial Bookends, as well as Montana and Nevada documents and mining publications.

Railroadiana

In addition to railroad and steamer passes and stock certificates & bonds, our Railroadiana section includes badges, lock keys, lanterns, a Carson & Colorado Lock & Key, and rare maps and ephemera.

Bargains & Dealer Specials

Be sure not to miss our Bargains & Dealer section on Day 4, which includes both entry-level priced collectibles and larger groups ideal for resale. Includes General Americana, Stocks & Bonds, and Numismatic goodies!

Make sure to use the Keyword search tool to find items in your collecting areas across the four auction days.

As usual, our team is happy and ready to answer questions. Please feel free to call or email our office.

And please continue to bring us those great collections for 2022! Yours could be the next world record!

--Fred Holabird & Team--

Auction Schedule

Day 1, Thursday, February 24th, 2022 (Lots 1000-1620)
General Americana (1000-1620)
Geographically Sorted (1000-1284)
General Books (1285-1311)
Gaming (1312-1322)
Saloon & Brewing (1323-1357)
Jewelry (1358-1378)
Furnishings (1379-1413)
Musical Instruments & Memorabilia (1414-1448)
Model Train & Car (1449-1472)
Badges (1473-1513)
Miscellaneous (1514-1620)

Day 2, Friday, February 25th, 2022 (Lots 2000-2626)
Stocks & Bonds (2000-2325)
Mining (2000-2133)
Railroad & Transportation (2134-2292)
Misc. (2293-2325)
Numismatics (2326-2626)
Currency, Scrip, & Ephemera (2326-2351)
Ingots & Bullion (2352-2397)
Coins (2398-2483)
Medals (2484-2538)
Tokens (2539-2626)

Day 3, Saturday, February 26th, 2022 (Lots 3000-3596)
Minerals & Mining (3000-3120)
Directories feat. Ron Lerch Collection Part II (3121-3487)
Militaria & Political (3488-3596)

Day 4, Sunday, February 27th, 2022 (Lots 4000-4625)
Art (4000-4074)
Native Americana (4075-4103)
Transportation (RR, Steamer, Auto, Air) (4104-4321)
Railroad & Steamer Passes (4104-4256)
Ephemera & Artifacts (4257-4321)
Bargains & Dealer Specials (4322-4625)
General Americana (4322-4408)
Stocks & Bonds (4409-4541)
Numismatics (4542-4625)

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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Territorial Enterprise Billhead, Virginia City, Nevada  [134459]1200 - Territorial Enterprise Billhead, Virginia City, Nevada [134459]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
"Established December, 1858." This famous Comstock business is the newspaper office Samuel Clemens worked at while on the Comstock and whe...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (170.00 + 42.50BP) = 212.50
 
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Two Rare Tickets for Comstock Events incl. Silver City  [144670]1201 - Two Rare Tickets for Comstock Events incl. Silver City [144670]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 2. 1) Ultra rare ticket for the Anniversary Ball of the IOOF at Miners' Union Hall in Silver City, Nevada, April 26th, 1877. Blue cardsto...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to D******a for (70.00 + 15.40BP) = 85.40
 
Details...Bookmark
Comstock Check Collection incl. Silver City   [144664]1202 - Comstock Check Collection incl. Silver City [144664]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 11. Includes very rare Silver City draft, 1881, from the Amity Lodge FAM; 1864 Gould & Curry Silver Mining Co. ore receipt; four Savage M...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to c*****r for (40.00 + 10.00BP) = 50.00
 
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Comstock Autographs on Checks (3)  [145077]1203 - Comstock Autographs on Checks (3) [145077]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 3 checks issued in the 1870s from banks in Virginia (Virginia City), NV and signed by two of the famous Comstock Lode Silver Kings. (1) John M
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to c*********p for (180.00 + 45.00BP) = 225.00
 
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Comstock Ephemera Collection (Billheads, Stocks, Railroad, & More)  [144663]1204 - Comstock Ephemera Collection (Billheads, Stocks, Railroad, & More) [144663]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of of 45+. 1) 11 post-1900 stock certificates incl. Alta, Con. Virginia, Yellow Jacket, Gould & Curry, Hale & Norcross (uniss.), Cholla...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to d*******f for (225.00 + 56.25BP) = 281.25
 
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Comstock Ephemera (Checks, Stock, Billhead)  [134458]1205 - Comstock Ephemera (Checks, Stock, Billhead) [134458]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 7. 1) Three checks: Imperial Silver Mining, Gold Hill, 1866, w/ revenue stamp, rare but in poor condition; Woodworth Mill revenue check (RN-D)
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 120.00 - 200.00
Sold to c*********p for (130.00 + 32.50BP) = 162.50
 
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Virginia City, Nevada Rare Panorama & Other Ephemera  [134443]1206 - Virginia City, Nevada Rare Panorama & Other Ephemera [134443]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 3. 1) Rare panorama view of Virginia City in the 1880s (printed in 1939). 7 x 14", creases, rip in upper right corner. 2) Virginia City ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 120.00 - 250.00
Sold to b*******n for (65.00 + 16.25BP) = 81.25
 
Details...Bookmark
Nevada Comstock Period Newspapers (4)  [144961]1207 - Nevada Comstock Period Newspapers (4) [144961]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1) The Daily Independent (Supplement), Virginia City, October 31, 1874 - Devoted entirely to Adolph Sutro's Lecture on Mines & Mining at Pip...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 140.00 - 200.00
Sold to Z*******e for (35.00 + 8.05BP) = 43.05
 
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Booklets related to the Virginia City, Nevada Fire of 1875  [146395]1208 - Booklets related to the Virginia City, Nevada Fire of 1875 [146395]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Three booklets regarding a court case in San Francisco related to the Virginia City Fire of 1875, Thomas H. Williams vs the Hartford Insurance Company
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 500.00 - 1,000.00
Sold to 8***6 for (180.00 + 39.60BP) = 219.60
 
Details...Bookmark
Autographed Comstock Books  [144333]1209 - Autographed Comstock Books [144333]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Six Volumes. 1) Legends of the Comstock Lode by Beebe and Clegg. Signed by both. 1950, Hard cover. Dust jacket in very nice condition. 2) Bonanza Inn
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to v*******l for (70.00 + 17.50BP) = 87.50
 
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Comstock Library  [144322]1210 - Comstock Library [144322]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Fourteen Volumes. Silver Theatre by Watson 1964. Comstock Commotion; Territorial Enterprise by Beebe 1954. An Editor on the Comstock Lode by Drury 193
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to d*******f for (90.00 + 22.50BP) = 112.50
 
Details...Bookmark
Nevada Ephemera (34)  [145063]1211 - Nevada Ephemera (34) [145063]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 34 items. Collection includes: (a) 18 penny post cards, all white border RPCs, of the Boulder Dam & Lake Mead. Each card 4 1/2" x ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold to f***l for (110.00 + 27.50BP) = 137.50
 
Details...Bookmark
Nevada Rodeo Poster Collection  [143479]1212 - Nevada Rodeo Poster Collection [143479]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of five rodeo pieces: 1) Virginia City rodeo, 1996 (11 x 17 inches); 2) Tonopah Rodeo (14 x 22 inches); 3) Lakeside rodeo 1997 (14 x 22 inches); 4
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
Details...Bookmark
Hwy Sign "You are on US / 95 / Headed South"  [142381]1213 - Hwy Sign "You are on US / 95 / Headed South" [142381]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
In a shield. Black on white 18h x 30"L Enamel on tin. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Nevada City: Provenance:
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 500.00 - 1,000.00
Sold to a********x.. for (750.00 + 165.00BP) = 915.00
 
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Nevada/Utah Map by Cram (1)  [143247]1214 - Nevada/Utah Map by Cram (1) [143247]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 1. Antique map of NV on one side, UT on other. Attractive red borders. By George F. Cram, engraver and publisher, Chicago. c. 1880 - 1885.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (275.00 + 68.75BP) = 343.75
 
Details...Bookmark
Bancroft; History of Nevada, Colorado and Wyoming  [144295]1215 - Bancroft; History of Nevada, Colorado and Wyoming [144295]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1890. 828 pages. Fair to Good Condition. Special binding and unusual page opposite of the title page leads us to believe this wasn't one of a se...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 300.00
Sold to Z*******e for (55.00 + 12.65BP) = 67.65
 
Details...Bookmark
Books on Nevada Politicians  [144352]1216 - Books on Nevada Politicians [144352]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1) William Morris Stewart; Gold and Silver Colossus. By Hermann. Stewart was the lawyer for the big Comstock mines in teh1860's He would make a ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 120.00 - 150.00
Sold to F******2 for (60.00 + 15.00BP) = 75.00
 
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Boxing in Nevada  [144344]1217 - Boxing in Nevada [144344]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of three items. 1) Program of the Baer - Uzcudun fight presented by Jack Dempsey. July 4, 1931 in Reno. Known as the Battle of the Sagebrush, this
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
Sold to p*********k for (300.00 + 75.00BP) = 375.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Five Key Nevada Territory References  [144312]1218 - Five Key Nevada Territory References [144312]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1) Records of Carson County. Utah & Nevada Territories by Ellison. This was a 10 year project of the Carson Valley Historical Society. All the r...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 240.00 - 400.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (120.00 + 30.00BP) = 150.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Histories of Nevada by Davis and by Thompson & West  [144311]1219 - Histories of Nevada by Davis and by Thompson & West [144311]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
These are often seen as the two key historical references on the history of Nevada. 1) Thompson & West. Key Nevada reference and resource book f...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 500.00
Sold to Z*******e for (110.00 + 25.30BP) = 135.30
 
Details...Bookmark