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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Ephemera from Colorado, c. 1870's [178841]2551 - Ephemera from Colorado, c. 1870's [178841]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1870 letterhead Bill of Lading from Webster, Musick and Cunifee, Trinidad on 2 pages. Barlow, Sanderson & Co., Kit Carson, letterhead with broth...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 120.00 - 150.00
Sold to M******5 for (140.00 + 35.00BP) = 175.00
 
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LaPorte General Store Ledger c. 1885-90 [178272]2552 - LaPorte General Store Ledger c. 1885-90 [178272]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Fancy binding c. 1885-90 ledger from LaPorte General store. Inscribed Ham & Morse on flyleaf. Major fires destroyed most of the business area of...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to j*****6 for (250.00 + 62.50BP) = 312.50
 
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Colorado Ephemera Group [174334]2553 - Colorado Ephemera Group [174334]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Rare 1891 The People's Theatre Program with lots of ads, 14pp, 1" tear on front cover and first page, 6x8.5". Issued Mariposa Con Gold...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 90.00 | Estimate : 180.00 - 250.00
 
 
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Colorado Ephemera Group, 6 [178844]2554 - Colorado Ephemera Group, 6 [178844]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Mullins Place, Salida business card. Automobile Ordinance, Colorado Springs. From Colorado Springs to Manitou on the Street Cars booklet. 1876 check,
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 65.00 | Estimate : 130.00 - 200.00
 
 
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Colorado National Guard Appointment Certificate, 1888 [164362]2555 - Colorado National Guard Appointment Certificate, 1888 [164362]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Large Colorado National Guard 2nd assistant surgeon appointment certificate, issued 1888 to W W Rowan, signed by Alva Adams and Geo. West. 3 nice Col
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 200.00 | Estimate : 400.00 - 800.00
 
 
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Colorado/Pleasant Valley Wine Correspondences, 12 [176469]2556 - Colorado/Pleasant Valley Wine Correspondences, 12 [176469]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
12 c. 1874-1909 correspondences from Colorado companies doing business with Pleasant Valley Wine Co in NY. A common practice at the time involved rela
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 60.00 | Estimate : 120.00 - 200.00
 
 
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Idaho City Banker's Ledger, 1866-1868 [174954]2557 - Idaho City Banker's Ledger, 1866-1868 [174954]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A rare find indeed! Original ledger for Thos. Cole Jr. & Co. Bankers in Idaho City during the Idaho gold rush of the 1860s. Cole & Co. had t...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 500.00 | Estimate : 1,000.00 - 2,000.00
 
 
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Cemetery Lot Ownership Certificate, 1935 [158034]2558 - Cemetery Lot Ownership Certificate, 1935 [158034]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Certificate of Ownership for Lot No. 360, Section HH at the New Cathedral Cemetery. This cemetery was part of the Catholic Cathedral Church of Baltimo
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 75.00 | Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
 
 
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Billhead Collection- Boston  (36) [177009]2559 - Billhead Collection- Boston (36) [177009]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A collection of 36 different early Boston, Mass., billheads, all have vignettes, no duplicates, c1879-1908. Boston Massassachusettes
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
Sold to O*********n for (110.00 + 27.50BP) = 137.50
 
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Missoula Incorporation Documents, 45 [164911]2560 - Missoula Incorporation Documents, 45 [164911]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
About 45 c. 1900-1930's Missoula articles of incorporation, statements etc. Florence Laundry, Plains Flour Mill, Eddy Bread, Winston Bros., Miss...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 800.00
 
 
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Montana Ephemera (12) 1879-1944 [178715]2561 - Montana Ephemera (12) 1879-1944 [178715]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A dozen ephemera from the State of Montana, c1879-1944, includes a billhead, letter, advertisements, map, bank books, county assessment, and more. Ple
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 60.00 | Estimate : 120.00 - 200.00
 
 
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Carson City Bank Original Check Pages, 6, 1870's-80's [176358]2562 - Carson City Bank Original Check Pages, 6, 1870's-80's [176358]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Uncut original sheets of Carson City Savings Bank checks, c. 1870's and 1880's. Carson City Nevada
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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Prescription Book F J Steinmetz  [178011]2563 - Prescription Book F J Steinmetz [178011]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Partial F J Steinmetz prescription book. c. 1898. Appears to be a record book of filled prescriptions. Foxing, covers missing. Carson City Nevada F
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
 
 
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Silver Peak Area Documents 1902 (4) [178062]2564 - Silver Peak Area Documents 1902 (4) [178062]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1902 Mary Mine and Tunnel letterhead, undated B A Rives Wells Fargo & Company ID Card, 1883 Nevada Salt and Borax billhead, issued 1906 Silver P...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 250.00 - 400.00
Sold to c********e for (100.00 + 25.00BP) = 125.00
 
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Yerington Area Ephemera, 9 [178008]2565 - Yerington Area Ephemera, 9 [178008]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Wabuska real photo postcard. 8 billheads and letterheads including pictorials, Cuyahoga Gold Mining etc. 1898-1914. See photo. Yerington Nevada
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 120.00 - 200.00
Sold to r*****r for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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New England Business Directory & Gazetteer  1885 [108489]2566 - New England Business Directory & Gazetteer 1885 [108489]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Published by Sampson, Davenport, & Co., publishers of the Boston directory, Boston almanac and business directory, New-England business director...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 187.50 | Estimate : 375.00 - 1,000.00
 
 
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New Hampshire Annual Register, c. 1811-1847, 11 Volumes [166098]2567 - New Hampshire Annual Register, c. 1811-1847, 11 Volumes [166098]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
11 volumes of New Hampshire Annual Register. 1811-missing cover, 1815-spine damage, 1819, 1920-spine damage, 1821-spine damage, 1822-spine damage, 182
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 250.00 | Estimate : 500.00 - 2,500.00
 
 
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New Mexico Ephemera Group, 20 [178845]2568 - New Mexico Ephemera Group, 20 [178845]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
About 20 pieces of New Mexico ephemera. Checks, telegrams, billheads with imprinted RN's etc. New Mexico Robert Coelln Collection
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 75.00 | Estimate : 150.00 - 200.00
 
 
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New York State Bullheads Collection (27) [177008]2569 - New York State Bullheads Collection (27) [177008]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A collection of early New York State bullheads (27), all have vignettes, no duplicates, c1890-1918. New York
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 120.00 - 250.00
Sold to O*********n for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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Humorous  Sexual Metaphor Letter,   1823 [130549]2570 - Humorous Sexual Metaphor Letter, 1823 [130549]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Mailed from Philadelphia to Rutland on March 1, 1823. The surviving page contains several humorous sexual references - I feel kind of reluctance in se
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 80.00 | Estimate : 160.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Financial Docs w/Philly Check & Georgia Exchange 1838-1856 [155843]2571 - Financial Docs w/Philly Check & Georgia Exchange 1838-1856 [155843]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 3 different. 1) H.T. Hall & C.E. Dexter, First of Exchange, Columbus, Georgia, 1856. Issued for $3,304.70. Signed Hall & Dexter. Pen ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 75.00 | Estimate : 150.00 - 200.00
 
 
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Insurance Documents (3) [130585]2572 - Insurance Documents (3) [130585]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1)Niagara Insurance Company, City of New York. 1893. For Lawrence Barkhoff the owner of the Washington Caldwell Construction Company at Plum Township,
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
 
 
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Black American Postcards and Ephemera, 20 [179054]2573 - Black American Postcards and Ephemera, 20 [179054]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
About 20 pieces of Black American ephemera, mostly cotton postcards and a cotton picking check and cotton receipt. See photo.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 120.00 - 150.00
Sold to d*******f for (60.00 + 15.00BP) = 75.00
 
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Boy Scout Ephemera Collection [163792]2574 - Boy Scout Ephemera Collection [163792]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
16 Boy and Cub Scout publications, c. 1952-60 plus Scouting applications and more.
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
 
 
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Beadle's Half Dime Library c1883-91, 4 Issues [178733]2575 - Beadle's Half Dime Library c1883-91, 4 Issues [178733]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
4 issues of Beadle's Half Dime Library, 1883, 1884, 1886, 1891. Published 1887-1905. Robert Coelln Collection
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 120.00
 
 
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Lumber Related Letterheads / Bullheads (30) [177006]2576 - Lumber Related Letterheads / Bullheads (30) [177006]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Early lumber related letterheads and bullheads (30) from all over the states and without duplicates. Letter size 11/V, 4/WO - Mid-size (10), 9/V, 1/WO
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 180.00 - 300.00
Sold to O*********n for (120.00 + 30.00BP) = 150.00
 
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Saw Mill & Lumber Equipment Catalogs (5) [177004]2577 - Saw Mill & Lumber Equipment Catalogs (5) [177004]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Saw mill & other lumbering equipment catalogs (5) 1) G.F. Knight Co., Hicksville, Ohio, Manufacture of "Knight's Duplex Dog", for...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 140.00 - 300.00
Sold to O*********n for (75.00 + 18.75BP) = 93.75
 
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Miscellaneous Ephemera, 9 pieces [179052]2578 - Miscellaneous Ephemera, 9 pieces [179052]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1872 passport signed by Hamilton Fish, he was a US secretary of state-lower chips. 1857 patent claim letter. 1700 ledger sheet. Carriage catalogue pag
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Pictorial Billheads, 20 [153375]2579 - Pictorial Billheads, 20 [153375]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
About 20 nice pictorial billheads. Automated safety punch, roofing, carriage, wagon, disinfectant, suits, horse shoe, silks, horse, wool, surveying an
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
 
 
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Health Bulletins c1911 (6) [178781]2580 - Health Bulletins c1911 (6) [178781]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Six copies of "The United States Health Bulletin," "The American Authority on Matters of Health, Sanitation and Hygiene," publis...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 50.00 - 100.00
Sold to r*****r for (10.00 + 2.50BP) = 12.50
 
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