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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E J Gold Man With the Golden Eye Litho, Framed w/Book c.1950 [162923]1041 - E J Gold Man With the Golden Eye Litho, Framed w/Book c.1950 [162923]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Framed lithograph(10x7.5") by EJ Gold, Man with the Golden Eye, #24/25, signed on lower left. Also includes EJ Gold's Guide to the Galaxy a...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 500.00
Sold to d*******f for (100.00 + 25.00BP) = 125.00
 
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Salvador Dali, The Thumb, H.C. 12/65 Lithograph [168422]1042 - Salvador Dali, The Thumb, H.C. 12/65 Lithograph [168422]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Framed The Thumb lithograph by Salvador Dali. #12/65 H. C. Printed in New York, this edition was reserved for Dali himself and others in his circle, a
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 3,500.00 - 7,000.00
Sold to a******a for (500.00 + 125.00BP) = 625.00
 
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Mosque of Amar by David Roberts [136957]1043 - Mosque of Amar by David Roberts [136957]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Mosque of Amar, Showing the Lite of the Temple. The antique Lithograph is after the painting by David Roberts R.A. (1796-1864, born in Stockbridge, ne
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 300.00 | Estimate : 600.00 - 800.00
 
 
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Temple of Edfou by David Roberts c1847 [136956]1044 - Temple of Edfou by David Roberts c1847 [136956]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Temple of Edfou, the ancient Appolinopolis of Upper Egypt. The antique Lithograph is after the landscape painting by David Roberts R.A. (1796-1864, bo
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 300.00 | Estimate : 600.00 - 800.00
 
 
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Imprimeur Lithographe a Serigraph signed by Artist Fernaud Boilauges [140814]1045 - Imprimeur Lithographe a Serigraph signed by Artist Fernaud Boilauges [140814]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This serigraph print is titled "Imprimeur Lithographe" by French artist Fernaud Boilauges numbered 133/300 and stamp signed by F. Boilauge...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 250.00 | Estimate : 500.00 - 700.00
 
 
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M. Hommel Lithography 1893 [78974]1046 - M. Hommel Lithography 1893 [78974]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Beautiful color lithography, Champagne/Wine Ad. Lithography by Wittemann Litho Co., NY, 27" x 20.5" has some foxing & 1" tear at ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 250.00 | Estimate : 500.00 - 3,000.00
 
 
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Rix Steel Cut Prints (2) [177782]1047 - Rix Steel Cut Prints (2) [177782]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Steel engraved landscape prints (2) from oils done by tonalism American artist Julian Walbridge Rix (1850-1904). Pieces measure around 11"x 14&...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Julian Rix Steel Engraved Prints (4) [177781]1048 - Julian Rix Steel Engraved Prints (4) [177781]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Steel engraved landscape prints from oils done by tonalism American artist Julian Walbridge Rix (1850-1904). Pieces measure around 11"x 14"...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 200.00 | Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
 
 
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Decorative Illustration of Books Old & New, Crane, 1896 [179358]1049 - Decorative Illustration of Books Old & New, Crane, 1896 [179358]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Decorative Illustration of Books Old and New” by Walter Crane, London, George Bell and Sons York St., Covent Garden, WC New York, 66 5th Ave.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold to M****z for (150.00 + 37.50BP) = 187.50
 
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Mine to Mill - Wood Engraving by Harper's Weekly 1878 [125068]1050 - Mine to Mill - Wood Engraving by Harper's Weekly 1878 [125068]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Wood engraving from 1878 Harper's Weekly showing a team of four horses drawing a carriage down a mountain road past a man leaning on his rifle. ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 600.00 - 1,500.00
Sold to A*****0 for (200.00 + 50.00BP) = 250.00
 
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Early Logging Woodcut Engravings (5) [176997]1051 - Early Logging Woodcut Engravings (5) [176997]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Early Logging Woodcut Engravings (5): 1) "Hauling Logs for Hut Building in Colorado," from The Illustrated London News, 11/6/1880 - hand ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 120.00 - 250.00
Sold to M********r for (65.00 + 16.25BP) = 81.25
 
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Prescott Chaplin Woodcut Book [177792]1052 - Prescott Chaplin Woodcut Book [177792]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Prescott Chaplin (1897-1968), printmaker, painter, writer and lecturer, was born in Seattle, Washington but raised in Boston, Massachusetts where he w
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 400.00
Sold to d********s.. for (75.00 + 18.75BP) = 93.75
 
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Golden Age of Flight Test Print by Machat with Yeager and Other Pilot Signatures [154958]1053 - Golden Age of Flight Test Print by Machat with Yeager and Other Pilot Signatures [154958]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Framed print of multiple US military jets by Mike Machat with his signature; also signed by Chuck Yeager, Bill Dana, Joe Engle, Fitz Fulton and other
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 400.00 | Estimate : 1,000.00 - 4,000.00
 
 
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Art Print Collection, 19th Century, 67 c.1880s [167623]1054 - Art Print Collection, 19th Century, 67 c.1880s [167623]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
About 67 19th century art prints in folio format, generally 11.5x15" and mostly steel engravings. A significant group of 27 prints apparently f...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 250.00
 
 
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Female Nudes (2) c. 1930s [157688]1055 - Female Nudes (2) c. 1930s [157688]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Two art prints of female nudes. Both are framed with highly decorative frames. A) "Maid of the Mist" by Mabel Rollins Harris, c. 1930s. F...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 200.00 | Estimate : 400.00 - 700.00
 
 
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Hand of Man Prints Folio by Mazonwicz 1981 [167755]1056 - Hand of Man Prints Folio by Mazonwicz 1981 [167755]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
10 serigraphs in hard case folio of cave art by Douglas Mazonowicz, 1981. Introduction by Carl Sagan. #270/300. The reproduced cave paintings include:
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 250.00 | Estimate : 500.00 - 800.00
 
 
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Hotel Del Monte Drawing by Fenn [177788]1057 - Hotel Del Monte Drawing by Fenn [177788]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Print of a drawing by British artist Harry Fenn of The Hotel Del Monte and Grounds in Monterey, California. Print measures 12"x 16". Ther...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Byron Birdsall Puffin Print [178263]1058 - Byron Birdsall Puffin Print [178263]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Beautiful 11"x 11" signed print by Byron Birdsall (1937-2016) of a puffin. There's a pencil signature at the bottom of the piece. Plea...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 75.00 | Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
 
 
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Philip Goodwin Grizzly Bear Print [177786]1059 - Philip Goodwin Grizzly Bear Print [177786]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Colorful print of Philip R. Goodwin's grizzly bear family (1906), with a copyright by Charles Scribner. Goodwin (1881-1935), was a well known co...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 250.00 | Estimate : 500.00 - 1,500.00
 
 
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Bear Hunting in the Sierra Silk Print by F.O.C. Darley (2) [177787]1060 - Bear Hunting in the Sierra Silk Print by F.O.C. Darley (2) [177787]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Art prints ( 2) on silk, entitled "Bear Hunting in the Sierra Mountains" by Felix Octavius Carr Darley (1822-1888). These steel engraved ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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