Wild West Relics Auction April 2024

Auction CurrencyUSD Auction Location3555 Airway Drive Suite 308, Reno, Nevada, 89511, United States In Person PreviewPreview

Auction Details

April, 2024 HWAC Auction -Another Potential Million Dollar Sale of Rare Americana!
-Fred Holabird

Welcome everybody to our next live auction. Th sale closely follows a timed auction two weeks ago that saw a lot of action, with some good rarities as well as some great buys!
As we plow through the start of 2024, we find ourselves moving the rare collectibles into our live sales, while moving the rare lesser expensive items to the timed sales, which are getting more and more popular by the month.

April is no exception, as 2300 lots are up for grabs, again featuring many one of a kind discoveries and great rarities. When I write these introductions to the sales, it gets harder and harder to know where to start and how to structure the essay because of the sheer huge variety of collectible genres present in our sales. We easily offer at least 60 different categories!!

So this time, lets start with some of my favorite “discoveries,” which is impossible for me to place in my relative order of “wow!” effect. Top ten? Impossible! How about the top 20? ??

1. The Robert Matheson, Arizona Territory letter archive, c1883-1886, that discusses an Apache mine camp massacre, the “Bisbee massacre” and subsequent hangings. In more than 100 pp of letters, we get from the writer a very clear picture of the difficulties of life on the Arizona/Sonora mining frontier. See the Mining section.
2. Dr. Timothy Wilcox Arizona Territory (especially Ft. Huachuca) photograph archive, c 1860-1894. (see photography, antiquarian). Wilcox was an Army physician assigned to many of the western forts, particularly Ft. Huachuca and Ft. Niobrara. The photo archive has in excess of 350 original photos in one album alone, nearly all taken by Wilcox. He also traveled to Alaska and forts on the east coast before being assigned to Cuba for the Spanish-American War.
3. Goldwater Store Posse, Yuma/Tucson Photograph. Robert Paul was sent to Yuma to arrest one of the Goldwater Bros. for fraud. A large posse was sent, and the original mounted photo is a stunner. c1880.
4. Robert Paul ALS regarding a stagecoach robbery and murder. The sheriff made famous from the days of the Earps.
5. Famous Western artist Frederick Remington original c1903 prints. A remarkable discovery of original prints sold out of Remington’s own gallery with his gallery card still attached.
6. Barry & Patten embossed San Francisco whiskey bottle. This is the very first western whiskey merchant to place his product in an embossed bottle. They are exceptionally rare. This is a “crown jewel” for any western whiskey collector.
7. Frank Abadie, Eureka, Nevada knife edge coffin flask with full original label. Unquestionably one of the very top Nevada whiskey bottles of all time, and unique.
8. Maps. The map section is so darned good (spread between a map, antiquarian and mining sections) that I can’t pick just one. So I’ll pick the early “California as an Island” map. I know – some of you think California is an island anyway! This map has insets with it that make map reading from the 1700s exciting.. But the sections also contain rare Gold Rush period maps from two major collections.
9. Fort Weisport, c1756 map in which Ben Franklin was involved.
10. Boston Baseball Team stock certificates, 19teens. Stocks issued to and signed by the founders of the Boston baseball club (176376, etc)
11. Austin, Nevada Sack of Flour, Sanitary Commission autographed and signed petition of donations, original document for this very famous western mining charity event that made history. This document was thought lost to history. (169387)
12. Circa 1660 Ecumenical Farce, “Il Capitole del Frati” was banned by the Church before it was completed. This is a full edition, and may be the only full or complete piece known. Handwritten by the author.
13. Mining stock signed by famous California author Bret Harte. (136540). Author of “Luck of Roaring Camp” and other tales, Harte was a near contemporary of Sam Clemens in the California gold camps.
14. Fraser River Gold Rush glass negative collection (179017). A large collection of photographs, probably unpublished, of one or more trips from Vancouver north by steamer to the mining camps of the Fraser River region. The high quality images show the store sign fronts that allows for the identification.
15. Inventor of the Electric Car, Fritchie, 1903, archive. An incredible discovery of his personal papers and photographs. Exceptionally appropriate as the world finally moves toward electric cars, albeit 120 years later.
16. Hayden Survey, 9 Volumes. This remarkable multi-year expedition along parts of the American/Canadian border is well recorded and very rare. (178878)
17. Truckee Basin Directory, 1883. A great Tahoe rarity.
18. Giant Green Fluorite, (149346). One of the many outstanding mineral specimens in the sale, and a very colorful one!
19. Spectacular very dark blue turquoise squash blossom necklace (Navajo). This is the very deep blue color that was so popular in the 1980s and doesn’t seem to have been found in turquoise mines since then.
20. Virgina & Truckee Railroad Lantern. A near-mint example is among about 50 different railroad lamps (and more railroad china!). Be sure and watch for our next two sales (including timed), as we will be selling two of the best railroad pass collections ever offered at auction- the “Ron Lerch” and “Western Railroad” collections.

That’s quite a list! But its all here, with tons more great items, spread over four days – this time on a pair of successive weekend days so you don’t have to be troubled by auctions while at work.

We are always on the lookout for major collections! Please call us. 775 851-1859 or our toll free number 844 492-2766

DAY 1 - Sat, Apr 6 Lots 1000-1563
Art (1001-1098)
Jewelry (1099-1130)
Native Americana (1131-1271)
Maps (1272-1337) also see mining on day 5
World's Fair/Expositions (1338-1344)
Books (1345-1451)
Autographs (1452-1454)
Photographs (1456-1558)
Wilcox, Photo archive, c1860-1910
Tools (1559-1563)

DAY 2 - Sun, Apr 7 Lots 2000-2580
3d Collectibles (2000-2013)
Clocks (2014-2020)
Musical (2021-2022)
Furnishings (2023-2025)
Clothing (2026-2027)
Collectibles & Flatware (2028-2045)
Advertising (2046-2067)
General Store (2068-2084)
Bottles (2085-2166)
Saloon (2167-2181)
Gaming (2183-2190)
Tobacianna (2191-2199)
Cowboy (2200-2219)
Entertainment (2220-2263)
Circus, Toys. sports (2264-2295)
Transportation/Railroad (2296-2396)
Political (2397-2422)
Military (2423-2460)
Firearms & Weaponry (2461-2527)
General Ephemera (2528-2580)

DAY 3 - Sat, Apr 13 Lots 3000-3517
Stocks & Bonds (3001-3517)
Banking (3001-3024)
Mining (3025-3296)
Industry & Oil (3297-3366)
Railroad & Transportation (3367-3427)
Other (3428-3517)

DAY 4 - Sun, Apr 14 Lots 4000-4666
Minerals (4001-4032)
Mining (4033-4226)
Artifacts (4033-4041)
Ephemera (4042-4220)
Scales (4221-4225)
Numismatics (4226-4409)
Tokens (4410-4431)
Philatelic (4432-4566)
Stamps (4432-4458)
Covers (4458-4474)
WF/Express (4475-4519)
Postcards (4520-4566)
This auction will be split into 2 weekends. Please don't ask for your invoice until all sessions are completed. Thanks in advance for your understanding.

Shipping is billed separately. Pay your auction invoice early as purchases are packed in the order payments are received. Pick-up must be scheduled 24 hours in advance when you receive your shipping preference email after the auction. Invoices will go out immediately after all sessions the auction end.

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Stereoviews of Tucson, Arizona by Henry Buchman and Continent Stereoscope Co. (2) c1877 [169203]1461 - Stereoviews of Tucson, Arizona by Henry Buchman and Continent Stereoscope Co. (2) c1877 [169203]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
These two stereoviews depict Tucson, Arizona. The first is: "Arizona Scenes by H. Buchman" in the right border, and "Arizona Scenes ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 400.00 - 900.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (200.00 + 50.00BP) = 250.00
 
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Tucson Street Scene Photo, c. 1885 c1885 [177530]1462 - Tucson Street Scene Photo, c. 1885 c1885 [177530]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
c. 1885 Tucson street scene photo with many people in front of a building, corner of Broadway and 13th. 4x5.75". Tucson Arizona Robert Coel...
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (140.00 + 35.00BP) = 175.00
 
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Arizona Hanging Postcards (2) [168022]1463 - Arizona Hanging Postcards (2) [168022]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Two early hanging postcards of Arizona events. A.) Hanging of John Heath at Tombstone, real photo postcard, early, c1908-1915 printing. Heath's ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Start Price : 250.00 | Estimate : 500.00 - 800.00
 
 
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Stereoview of Old Ruins at Aztec Mound Mouth of Oak Creek by D.F. Mitchell c1875-82 [168250]1464 - Stereoview of Old Ruins at Aztec Mound Mouth of Oak Creek by D.F. Mitchell c1875-82 [168250]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This stereoview is by photographer Daniel F. Mitchell and is marked in script on the back "old ruins on Aztec Mound at mount of Oak Creek/ Yava...
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Original Palace Drug Co. Framed Photo c1905 [171800]1465 - Original Palace Drug Co. Framed Photo c1905 [171800]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Choice original photo of Palace Drug Co. in Antioch, c. 1905. Photo 8x10", light contrast, right side spots and triangle. Frame 14.5x17". ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Start Price : 125.00 | Estimate : 250.00 - 500.00
 
 
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Antioch California Early Photos (13) 1800s-1900s [171791]1466 - Antioch California Early Photos (13) 1800s-1900s [171791]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Antioch California photo group (13) Early photos 5"x 7" to larger, show life in this one time mining town, located in the San Francisco Ba...
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Start Price : 200.00 | Estimate : 400.00 - 800.00
 
 
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Cloverdale, California Cabinet Card c.1900 [178412]1467 - Cloverdale, California Cabinet Card c.1900 [178412]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Photograph of two-story white house surrounded by trees, labelled on the reverse in pencil as "Luther's place Cloverdale." 5.25 x 8.25...
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Start Price : 75.00 | Estimate : 150.00 - 200.00
 
 
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Colfax Panorama Photo in Frame, 1916 [179176]1468 - Colfax Panorama Photo in Frame, 1916 [179176]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Framed panorama photo of Colfax, CA, 1916. Photo by P. Anbrock? Winter scene with snow and railroad yard and station. Frame 11x39". Some upper ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 200.00 - 500.00
Sold to r********l.. for (170.00 + 42.50BP) = 212.50
 
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Concord Bakery & Saloon Photo 1880s [173149]1469 - Concord Bakery & Saloon Photo 1880s [173149]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Photo of the Concord Bakery & Saloon taken in the 1880s. This is the original stick built building constructed in 1880. It was replaced in 1884 ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
 
 
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Booklet & Glass Negatives from Death Valley (4) [178384]1470 - Booklet & Glass Negatives from Death Valley (4) [178384]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A tourist booklet advertising Death Valley, California and three unpublished glass negatives showing men sitting in front of the Leadville Hotel in Go
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
 
 
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Dixon Brabban, La Porte Banker, Family Photos, 18 [177632]1471 - Dixon Brabban, La Porte Banker, Family Photos, 18 [177632]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
18 family photos of the Dixon Brabban family. He was a La Porte Banker. Most around 5x4", see photo. Jann Garvis Estate. La Porte California
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to j*****6 for (70.00 + 17.50BP) = 87.50
 
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Inventor Oliver Parker Fritchle Photo & Ephemera Archive [178827]1472 - Inventor Oliver Parker Fritchle Photo & Ephemera Archive [178827]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This is a written and photographed archive of Oliver Parker Fritchle (September 15, 1874 – August 1951). He was an American chemist, storag
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 5,000.00 - 10,000.00
Sold to a********b.. for (2,500.00 + 625.00BP) = 3,125.00
 
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Los Angeles 1889 Sketch Book [178819]1473 - Los Angeles 1889 Sketch Book [178819]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Winter Scenes in Los Angeles sketch book, dated 1889 and containing 43 views of The City of Angels. This is long before Hollywoodland, the freeway sys
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
Sold to c******m for (80.00 + 20.00BP) = 100.00
 
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Los Angeles Photo Collection, c. 1880-1910 [179190]1474 - Los Angeles Photo Collection, c. 1880-1910 [179190]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
About 20 c. 1880-1910 Los Angeles area photos. Taken by Comings, Moniers, Davidson, EW Fortune, Westervelt etc in assorted sizes. See photo. Los Angel
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Start Price : 75.00 | Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
 
 
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Los Angeles, CA Stereoviews 1887- early 1900s (24) [178688]1475 - Los Angeles, CA Stereoviews 1887- early 1900s (24) [178688]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A collection of 24 stereoview cards of scenes from Los Angeles and Pasadena, Calif., c1887-early 1900s. Photographers include: B.W. Kilburn, C.H. Grav
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Start Price : 75.00 | Estimate : 150.00 - 200.00
 
 
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Stereo View of Early Los Angeles [178810]1476 - Stereo View of Early Los Angeles [178810]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Popular Series stereo view of Los Angeles. Dirt streets probably put this photo in the late 19th century. In very good condition. Please see photos fo
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 110.00 - 150.00
Sold to 2*****s for (55.00 + 13.75BP) = 68.75
 
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Leslie Family Photo Album, 100 Photos, c 1910's [178936]1477 - Leslie Family Photo Album, 100 Photos, c 1910's [178936]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Photo album of Bert and Anne Leslie family with about 100 approx. 4.5x2.75" photos. Many photos are identified. Car, kids, at the beach, kids p...
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to a********b.. for (100.00 + 25.00BP) = 125.00
 
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Abolitionist John Brown's sons, Original Photo Pair [178933]1478 - Abolitionist John Brown's sons, Original Photo Pair [178933]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Original about 4.5x7.5" photos of Owen Brown and his brother Frederick?, both with thick beards. "Owen Brown (November 4, 1824 – Jan...
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold to a********b.. for (750.00 + 187.50BP) = 937.50
 
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Pasadena Cabinet Card Pair [178932]1479 - Pasadena Cabinet Card Pair [178932]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
2 c. 1880-92 Pasadena cabinet cards. Mill with workers in front, 4.5x7.75" with foxing. Inside a church or theatre, 5x8". Pasadena Califor...
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (130.00 + 32.50BP) = 162.50
 
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Pasadena, Etc. Family Archives 1800s-Early 1900s [178921]1480 - Pasadena, Etc. Family Archives 1800s-Early 1900s [178921]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Major family photos and letters archives of several Pasadena families, from late 1800s-1920s and beyond. Families included are Angie Childs, who at on
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 300.00 - 400.00
Sold to a********b.. for (160.00 + 40.00BP) = 200.00
 
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