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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Afro Folk Art Figures (30) [178238]1081 - Afro Folk Art Figures (30) [178238]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Black American folk art pieces (3). They include a chef bank (5"x 8"), a comic themed bank (4"x 5.5") and a ceramic figure of a ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to d*******f for (100.00 + 25.00BP) = 125.00
 
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Man & Woman w/Lamb Figurines c. 1900 [177624]1082 - Man & Woman w/Lamb Figurines c. 1900 [177624]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
c. 1900 man and woman with sheep figurines. Man has a blue R mark on base and some putty residue on base, 7.75", woman 7". From William H ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Hand Carved Noah's Ark & Animals [179044]1083 - Hand Carved Noah's Ark & Animals [179044]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Depression art or "Hobo Art" includes wood carvings. This wooden ark is 16 inches long, 6 inches tall and 4 inches wide, with removable ro...
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Start Price : 250.00 | Estimate : 500.00 - 800.00
 
 
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Nautical Carved Wood Figurehead [165070]1084 - Nautical Carved Wood Figurehead [165070]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
2 mirror imaged heads on a carved wood figurehead in the style of an old sailing vessel. This appears to be a wall mount display piece for a saloon ne
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to p********l.. for (75.00 + 18.75BP) = 93.75
 
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Wooden Masks (2) [178700]1085 - Wooden Masks (2) [178700]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A pair of wooden masks of unknown origin. The first is approximately 11" tall, 7" wide and 3" depth, with an evil face and what appea...
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Asian Happyman Carved Collection [179180]1086 - Asian Happyman Carved Collection [179180]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Carved happy man collection. Old bone 8", brown wood with rifle 12", seated brown wood 8" with base crack, brown wood on small base 1...
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Hexagonal Green Glaze Chinese Pots (3) [178279]1087 - Hexagonal Green Glaze Chinese Pots (3) [178279]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
2x c. 1870 dark green. c. 1900 blue/green with weak embossing. 4x4". Stem ginger lid with paper label. Fred Holabird Collection
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Red Petrified Wood Bookends [178764]1088 - Red Petrified Wood Bookends [178764]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Two bookends made of polished red petrified wood. 6 inches tall, 4 inches wide, 3 inches thick. Red felt glued on two sides to protect your bookshelf.
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 80.00 - 100.00
Sold to 4******b for (110.00 + 27.50BP) = 137.50
 
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Buddha w/Coiled Dragon Boxwood Root Sculpture  [172006]1089 - Buddha w/Coiled Dragon Boxwood Root Sculpture [172006]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A dramatic boxwood root sculpture featuring a Buddha-like character holding a sphere while a long dragon coils around the entire carving. The dragon...
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Start Price : 750.00 | Estimate : 1,500.00 - 3,000.00
 
 
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Boddhisatva Figure Carved in Clear Quartz [172010]1090 - Boddhisatva Figure Carved in Clear Quartz [172010]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
The Boddhisatva named Guanyin is known as "the one who hears the cries of the world." Here, her image is carved into a piece of clear quar...
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Start Price : 200.00 | Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
 
 
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Bergmann Bronze "Carpet Seller"  [176363]1091 - Bergmann Bronze "Carpet Seller" [176363]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This bronze entitled "Carpet Seller" is by Franz Bergman and measures 7"x 7"x 8". A cold-painted Austrian bronze figure of...
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Start Price : 700.00 | Estimate : 1,400.00 - 4,000.00
 
 
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Chinese Dragon Boat, Yellow Onyx [175641]1092 - Chinese Dragon Boat, Yellow Onyx [175641]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Beautifully Hand-Carved Dragon Boat made from Yellow Onyx with varnished, ornate wooden stand in excellent condition. Golden Chinese print on sails ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Start Price : 250.00 | Estimate : 500.00 - 900.00
 
 
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Chinese Dragon Boat, Yellow Onyx [175642]1093 - Chinese Dragon Boat, Yellow Onyx [175642]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Beautifully Hand-Carved Dragon Boat made from Yellow Onyx with varnished, ornate wooden stand in excellent condition. Golden Chinese print on sails ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Start Price : 250.00 | Estimate : 500.00 - 900.00
 
 
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Brothers' Best Bite Alabaster Bear Carving by Sidney Has No Horses [170395]1094 - Brothers' Best Bite Alabaster Bear Carving by Sidney Has No Horses [170395]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This sculpture is of two bears playing rough called "Brothers' Best Bite" carved alabaster by Sidney Has No Horses, a Medicine Man of...
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Carved Alabaster Horses, 2 [170900]1095 - Carved Alabaster Horses, 2 [170900]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
2 carved alabaster horses, both unsigned. Mostly rectangular with 2 horizontal horses, 6.5x14x1.25". Horse head on stone base, mostly polished ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 250.00 - 400.00
Sold to d*******f for (150.00 + 37.50BP) = 187.50
 
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Yellow Onyx Carved Water Buffalos (4) [172009]1096 - Yellow Onyx Carved Water Buffalos (4) [172009]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Four water buffalos carved from creamy yellow onyx. Essentially identical. Approx 8 x 3.5 x 5 inches. China Chunlin Zhu Collection
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
 
 
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Jadeite Tigers (2) [172015]1097 - Jadeite Tigers (2) [172015]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Pair of jadeite tigers, one crouching lower than the other. 14 inches long and 6.5 inches tall; 13 inches long and 8 inches tall. China Chunlin Zh
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Start Price : 200.00 | Estimate : 500.00 - 750.00
 
 
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Jade Emperor Yu Huang Pearl Chinese Figurine  [178697]1098 - Jade Emperor Yu Huang Pearl Chinese Figurine [178697]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Jade Emperor Yu Huang fresh water pearl Chinese figurine, approximately 15" tall, 8" x 5.5" at base, thousands of fresh water pearls,...
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to w**********e for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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Chinese Jade Bracelet, Butterscotch [172276]1099 - Chinese Jade Bracelet, Butterscotch [172276]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Large 1" thick and 3" diameter butterscotch colored jade bracelet from China. In mint condition. Please see photos for more details. Chi...
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 600.00
 
 
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Chinese Jade Bracelet, Butterscotch [172277]1100 - Chinese Jade Bracelet, Butterscotch [172277]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Large .5" thick and 3" diameter butterscotch colored jade bracelet from China. In mint condition. Please see photos for more details. Ch...
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 600.00
 
 
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