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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Pittsburg Panorama Photo, Another Photo and Postcards [170044]1481 - Pittsburg Panorama Photo, Another Photo and Postcards [170044]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
7x9.25" photo by Shadowland Studio, Pittsburg-some stains. Panorama photo of Pittsburg street scene c. W W 1 with patriotic flags, wounded sold...
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
 
 
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Placer County Historical Photographs & Scrap Book -Choice! [168852]1482 - Placer County Historical Photographs & Scrap Book -Choice! [168852]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A really nice group of 10 original large photographs in excellent condition in this scrap book with cover labeled History/Land & Marks/of Placer...
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Start Price : 1,000.00 | Estimate : 2,000.00 - 4,000.00
 
 
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Placerville Glass Negatives (3) 1800s [171389]1483 - Placerville Glass Negatives (3) 1800s [171389]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Placerville glass negatives (3). First is a photo of The Daily Nugget, a newspaper that I can find no information about and since I worked for The Mo
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
 
 
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Cliff House Tin TYpe Photo, c. 1902 [178013]1484 - Cliff House Tin TYpe Photo, c. 1902 [178013]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
c. 1902 tin type photo of Cliff House in San Francisco. 2 uniformed men in a car, 2.5x3.5". San Francisco California Fred Holabird Collection
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
 
 
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Palace Hotel Interior and Exterior Stereoviews [123689]1485 - Palace Hotel Interior and Exterior Stereoviews [123689]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Interior view is Watkins and the exterior view is Continent Stereoscopic Company. The Palace Hotel was built by San Francisco banker and entrepreneur
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Start Price : 160.00 | Estimate : 320.00 - 800.00
 
 
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San Francisco Stereoviews 1900-1906 (12) [178685]1486 - San Francisco Stereoviews 1900-1906 (12) [178685]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A dozen stereoview cards with scenes from early 20th century San Francisco, c1900-1906. The collection includes several views of the Cliff House and S
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 120.00 - 200.00
Sold to 8***1 for (50.00 + 11.00BP) = 61.00
 
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SF Earthquake Stereoview Cards 1906 (23) [178689]1487 - SF Earthquake Stereoview Cards 1906 (23) [178689]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A collection of 23 stereoview cards featuring photos of scenes following the great earthquake of 1906 in San Francisco. Photographers include: B.W. Ki
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold to d*******f for (75.00 + 18.75BP) = 93.75
 
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Early 20th Century Yosemite Photos [177779]1488 - Early 20th Century Yosemite Photos [177779]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A nice album of 56 black & white photos taken circa early 20th century. It's a mix of lovely Yosemite Valley phots, Southern California beac...
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 200.00 - 350.00
Sold to d*******f for (100.00 + 25.00BP) = 125.00
 
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California Stereoviews 1895-1900 (15) [178684]1489 - California Stereoviews 1895-1900 (15) [178684]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A collection of 15 stereoviews featuring scenes from California history, c1895-1900. Photographers include C.H. Graves, Strohmeyer & Wyman, B.W....
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Start Price : 50.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
 
 
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Sierra Nevada Calif. Stereoviews Early 1900s (8) [178683]1490 - Sierra Nevada Calif. Stereoviews Early 1900s (8) [178683]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A group of eight stereoview cards with different views of the Sierra Nevada in California, including Donner, with photos of snow sheds for the Union P
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to d*******f for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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Southern California Photo Collection, c. 1890-1935 [179189]1491 - Southern California Photo Collection, c. 1890-1935 [179189]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
About 10 pounds, perhaps 300-400 pieces of Southern California photos in assorted sizes, slides and negatives. Some have family members identified. Te
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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R M Davis Photo Stock Tin Type Advertising Calendar, 1903 [178858]1492 - R M Davis Photo Stock Tin Type Advertising Calendar, 1903 [178858]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Very rare, 1903 R M Davis Photo Stock advertising calendar with tin type portrait. Missing January and February, otherwise fine condition. 5.5x3.5&q...
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
Sold to d*******f for (75.00 + 18.75BP) = 93.75
 
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Pasadena Panorama Photo Pair  [178934]1493 - Pasadena Panorama Photo Pair [178934]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
2 Pasadena panoramas. Colorado Street Bridge, 4x9.75" with upper left crease and verso vertical tape, black marking on edge. Arroyo Seco, 3.25x...
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Start Price : 60.00 | Estimate : 120.00 - 150.00
 
 
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Spanish Peaks from Veta Mountain Cabinet Card [174014]1494 - Spanish Peaks from Veta Mountain Cabinet Card [174014]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1.25x6.75" cabinet card of Spanish Peaks from Veta Mountain, CO. Shot by W H Jackson photo team. Spanish Peaks Colorado Robert Coelln Colle...
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (225.00 + 56.25BP) = 281.25
 
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Vintage Idaho Photos (3) 1800s [171607]1495 - Vintage Idaho Photos (3) 1800s [171607]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Three vintage photos from 1800s Idaho. One measures 5"x 7", another, 7"x 9".There is also a 5.5"x 8.5" stamped T.N. Ba...
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Wardner, ID Birdseye Photo, c. 1902 [174996]1496 - Wardner, ID Birdseye Photo, c. 1902 [174996]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
c. 1902 birdseye photo of Kellog Peak at Wardener, ID. Photo 7.25x9". Small upper right dogear, small upper left tear and wear. Mat has large ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
 
 
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Chicago Area Vintage Photos, 25 [179192]1497 - Chicago Area Vintage Photos, 25 [179192]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
About 25 vintage Chicago area photos, mostly unidentified. Police Army, workers, families, portraits etc. Up to about 8x10". See photo. Chicago...
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 120.00 - 150.00
Sold to m***p for (60.00 + 15.00BP) = 75.00
 
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Early Chicago Stereoview Collection, 8 [174013]1498 - Early Chicago Stereoview Collection, 8 [174013]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
8 c. late-1860's to early 1870's Chicago stereoviews by P B Greene, Chicago with good contrast. Greene was president of the Chicago Photog...
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Start Price : 400.00 | Estimate : 800.00 - 1,500.00
 
 
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Early Bicycle Photo by William Parfitt [178823]1499 - Early Bicycle Photo by William Parfitt [178823]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A photo card (4.25"x 6.5") by Goshen, Indiana photographer William Parfitt. Parfitt's studio was called the Ground Floor Gallery and w...
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 120.00 - 150.00
Sold to p****5 for (70.00 + 17.50BP) = 87.50
 
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Basin, MT Photo by Robertson [175007]1500 - Basin, MT Photo by Robertson [175007]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
3.5x4.5"photo of Basin, Mt from above showing the town. Photo by C B Robertson, Boulder, Mont. Small upper left dogear and small lower left chi...
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
 
 
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