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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Perkiomen Oil Stock, 1865 [177132]3321 - Perkiomen Oil Stock, 1865 [177132]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Issued 1865 Perkiomen Oil with unusual green and black derrick vignettes, brown 25c Washington internal revenue adhesive stamp. Perkiomen Pennsylvania
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 600.00
 
 
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Kingsland Oil Stock, 1864 [177146]3322 - Kingsland Oil Stock, 1864 [177146]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Issued 1864 Kingsland Oil with nice river vignette and 25c adhesive internal venue stamp. Venago County Pennsylvania Ken Prag Collection
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 600.00
 
 
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McClintockville Petroleum, 2 Beauties, 1864-73 [177140]3323 - McClintockville Petroleum, 2 Beauties, 1864-73 [177140]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
2 beautiful issued McClinockville Petroleum stocks. 1864 buff and 1873 purple. Both have great bridge and McClintock House vignette. One of my favorit
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Start Price : 225.00 | Estimate : 450.00 - 900.00
 
 
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Star Oil Stock with Great Vignette, 1864 [176944]3324 - Star Oil Stock with Great Vignette, 1864 [176944]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Issued 1864 Star Oil with great vignette with multiple stars and derrick. Brown 25c adhesive revenue stamp. Venago County Pennsylvania Ken Prag Col
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Linden Oil Stock with Nice Vignettes, 1865 [177142]3325 - Linden Oil Stock with Nice Vignettes, 1865 [177142]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Issued 1865 Linden Oil stock with 2 nice derrick vignettes and 25c adhesive POA stamp. Good looking stock. Venango County Pennsylvania Ken Prag Col
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Start Price : 130.00 | Estimate : 260.00 - 500.00
 
 
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Philadelphia & Sugar Creek Oil Stock, 1865 [177130]3326 - Philadelphia & Sugar Creek Oil Stock, 1865 [177130]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Issued 1865 Philadelphia Creek Oil with unusual derrick vignette and 25c brown Washington POA adhesive stamp. Venango County Pennsylvania Ken Prag
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 600.00
 
 
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Early Pennsylvania Gas Stock, 1845 [177141]3327 - Early Pennsylvania Gas Stock, 1845 [177141]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Issued 1845 Northern Liberties Gas stock. Water stain, please inspect. Pennsylvania Ken Prag Collection
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
Sold to L****5 for (75.00 + 18.75BP) = 93.75
 
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Niagara Oil Co. of Pennsylvania Stocks, 25 [177136]3328 - Niagara Oil Co. of Pennsylvania Stocks, 25 [177136]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
About 25 u/i Niagara Oil Co. of Pennsylvania stocks, c. 1870's. Pennsylvania Ken Prag Collection
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
Sold to t******2 for (40.00 + 10.00BP) = 50.00
 
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Pennsylvania Imperial Oil Stock, 1865 [176947]3329 - Pennsylvania Imperial Oil Stock, 1865 [176947]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Issued 1865 Pennsylvania Imperial Oil stock with adhesive revenue stamp. Large vignette with Pennsylvania state seal. Pennsylvania Ken Prag Collec
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
 
 
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Phoenix Oil & Land Stocks, 25 [177135]3330 - Phoenix Oil & Land Stocks, 25 [177135]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
About 25 or more unissued Phoenix Oil and Land Stocks, c. 1870's. Derricks vignette. Pennsylvania Ken Prag Collection
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
Sold to t******2 for (40.00 + 10.00BP) = 50.00
 
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Rome & Maple Creek Oil & Coal Stock, 1865 [177131]3331 - Rome & Maple Creek Oil & Coal Stock, 1865 [177131]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Issued 1865 Rome & Maple Creek Oil & Coal with prospector and derrick vignettes. Brown 25c Washington adhesive protest stamp. Fair + conditi...
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00
 
 
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Ross Oil Stock, 1865 [177144]3332 - Ross Oil Stock, 1865 [177144]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Issued 1865 Ross Oil with 2 nice derrick vignettes. Left edge trimmed, right crease, light foxing. please inspect. Pennsylvania Ken Prag Collectio
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Start Price : 75.00 | Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
 
 
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Tionesta And Sugar Creek Oil Stock, 1865 [177145]3333 - Tionesta And Sugar Creek Oil Stock, 1865 [177145]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Issued green 1865 Tionoga Oil with 2 nice derrick vignettes and 25c internal revenue adhesive stamp. The green color makes this stock stand out. Penn
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 600.00
 
 
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Texas Oil Collection, 120 Different Stocks [177410]3334 - Texas Oil Collection, 120 Different Stocks [177410]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
About 120 different Texas oil stocks, c. 1902-71, mostly older. Ranger and Burkburnett, Beatty, Cedar Rapids & Marion, Hoskins, Jess Hickey, Lan...
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 1,000.00 - 1,500.00
Sold to d*******f for (350.00 + 87.50BP) = 437.50
 
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Texas Oil Stock Collection, 1920, 18 [176618]3335 - Texas Oil Stock Collection, 1920, 18 [176618]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1919 was the "break-out" year for Texas oil stocks. Production ramped up in 1918-19 and 1920 was nearly as popular! Here are 18 1920 oil s...
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (160.00 + 40.00BP) = 200.00
 
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Texas Oil Stock Collection, Post Crash, 80 [177412]3336 - Texas Oil Stock Collection, Post Crash, 80 [177412]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
About 80 post stock market crash Texas oil stocks with duplicates. About 50 Sunray Oil in green and blue c. 1965. Humble Oil, Sun, McCormick, Hoffman
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to t******2 for (35.00 + 8.75BP) = 43.75
 
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Texas Oil Stocks with Vignettes, 25 [177413]3337 - Texas Oil Stocks with Vignettes, 25 [177413]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
About 25 Texas oil stocks with vignettes, c. 1902-22. Ranger Vindicator, Royal, Texanna, Tuxpan Star, Comanche County, Hoffman Pyramid, Louisiana Step
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to d*******f for (100.00 + 25.00BP) = 125.00
 
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Texas Oil Stocks, 10 [176940]3338 - Texas Oil Stocks, 10 [176940]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
10 issued Texas oil stocks. 1971 Caribou, 1923 Evangeline, 1902 Henderson County, 1928 Randall County, 1947 Reilly, 1907 Sabine, 1920 and 1921 Texas R
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 180.00 - 250.00
Sold to d*******f for (90.00 + 22.50BP) = 112.50
 
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Texas Oil Stocks, 1919, 22 Different [176617]3339 - Texas Oil Stocks, 1919, 22 Different [176617]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1919 was the "break-out" year for Texas oil stocks. Production ramped up in 1918-19 and 1920 was nearly as popular! Here are 22 different ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
Sold to d*******f for (225.00 + 56.25BP) = 281.25
 
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Texas Pre Crash Oil Stocks, 30 [177411]3340 - Texas Pre Crash Oil Stocks, 30 [177411]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
About 30 c. 1902-28 pre stock market crash Texas oil stocks. Cedar Rapids & Marion, Beaty, E S Hansberger, Cox Realization, Lucky Dime, Stanton,...
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 300.00 - 400.00
Sold to d*******f for (350.00 + 87.50BP) = 437.50
 
Details...Bookmark