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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Indiana Southern Railway Bond - Tilden Signature  1866 [130680]3381 - Indiana Southern Railway Bond - Tilden Signature 1866 [130680]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Signed by presidential candidate Samuel Tilden (S. J. Tilden). Samuel Jones Tilden was the 25th Governor of New York and the Democratic candidate for
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Start Price : 120.00 | Estimate : 240.00 - 500.00
 
 
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New Orleans, Mobile, & Texas Railroad Co. Bond with Imprinted Revenue  1872 [167921]3382 - New Orleans, Mobile, & Texas Railroad Co. Bond with Imprinted Revenue 1872 [167921]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
$1,000 bond issued in 1872. Signed by the president and treasurer. Not cancelled. RN-U4 imprinted revenue stamp. Two vignettes: bald eagle on shield (
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Western Maryland Railroad Co Bond 1917 [172182]3383 - Western Maryland Railroad Co Bond 1917 [172182]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
B77b. Incorp 1917 State of Maryland. I/C , #X774, $10,000, First Mortgage, 4%, 50 yr registered gold bond, issued to John D. Rockefeller June 4, 1917,
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
 
 
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Somerville Horse Railroad Company Stock Certificates [143709]3384 - Somerville Horse Railroad Company Stock Certificates [143709]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
47 total certificates. There are four certificates that may be signed by Henry Melville Whitney, who was an American industrialist, the founder of th
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (200.00 + 50.00BP) = 250.00
 
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Flint & Pere Marquette Railway Collection with Revenues, 10 [176939]3385 - Flint & Pere Marquette Railway Collection with Revenues, 10 [176939]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Issued stocks-1888 brown, 1885 green, 1889 brown, 1884 corral. Unissued brown, orange, buff. Bonds-1868 $100 with 2 imprinted revenues with bottom sta
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 300.00 - 400.00
Sold to r********-.. for (65.00 + 16.25BP) = 81.25
 
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Flint and Pere Marquette Railway Bonds, 3 Different Colors [176938]3386 - Flint and Pere Marquette Railway Bonds, 3 Different Colors [176938]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Red, green and pinkish 2x 1868 and 1871 Flint and Pere Marquette bonds with 2 different imprinted revenue stamps. Michigan Ken Prag Collection
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 300.00 - 400.00
Sold to r********-.. for (65.00 + 16.25BP) = 81.25
 
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Central Pacific Railroad Waybills, 1879, 4 [178007]3387 - Central Pacific Railroad Waybills, 1879, 4 [178007]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
4 1879 Central Pacific Railroad waybills to Carson. The route of the CPRR was from Carson to Carson and Colorado RR, then to Bodie. Carson City Nevada
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 130.00 - 250.00
Sold to D*****6 for (70.00 + 17.50BP) = 87.50
 
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Eureka & Palisade Railroad Company Bond  1901 [165783]3388 - Eureka & Palisade Railroad Company Bond 1901 [165783]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Rare. Negotiable Certificate Receipt for First Mortgage Bond, $1,000, 1901. Issued to Frank Mills. Signed by the secretary Hellman. Green border and b
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 600.00
 
 
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Nevada Copper Belt Railroad Bond Certificate, Mason Valley, 1909 [145726]3389 - Nevada Copper Belt Railroad Bond Certificate, Mason Valley, 1909 [145726]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Cert. #564, $500, 6%, Mortgage Bond from this Nevada railroad company. The bond was issued in 1909 and signed by the company officers, L.H. Curtis and
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to d*******f for (55.00 + 13.75BP) = 68.75
 
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Virginia and Truckee Railroad Bond with William Sharon Signature [178521]3390 - Virginia and Truckee Railroad Bond with William Sharon Signature [178521]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Issued 1874 Virginia and Truckee Railroad bond with William Sharon signature. Sharon was one of the most powerful men on the Comstock, running the Ban
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold to 6****A for (160.00 + 40.00BP) = 200.00
 
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V & T Railroad Bond w/William Sharon Signature [176336]3391 - V & T Railroad Bond w/William Sharon Signature [176336]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
I/C Virginia and Truckee Railroad bond, $1000 1874 with clear Willian Sharon signature. "William Tang Sharon (January 9, 1821 – November ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 320.00 - 500.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (350.00 + 87.50BP) = 437.50
 
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Cerrillos Coal Railroad Stock, 1896, Rare [177026]3392 - Cerrillos Coal Railroad Stock, 1896, Rare [177026]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Rare 1896 Territory of New Mexico issued Cerrillos Coal Railroad stock New Mexico Ken Prag Collection
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (55.00 + 13.75BP) = 68.75
 
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New York Cable Railway Bond, 1884  [130694]3393 - New York Cable Railway Bond, 1884 [130694]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
#3692 issued in 1884. Extremely large 45x18î and in extremely nice condition. Coupons 3-82 attached. Signed by president WC Andrews an importan...
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
Sold to C*****t for (75.00 + 18.75BP) = 93.75
 
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Railroad Stocks- North Carolina (2) [142825]3394 - Railroad Stocks- North Carolina (2) [142825]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Raleigh and Gaston Rail Road Company. #756 for 10 shares issued to trustee Welton. President's name has been hole punch cancelled. Small vignett...
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Start Price : 75.00 | Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
 
 
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Columbus & Xenia Railroad Co Stocks (4)  1915-1917 [155814]3395 - Columbus & Xenia Railroad Co Stocks (4) 1915-1917 [155814]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 4 stocks, issued 1915-1917. All have the same design: black border and print and locomotive vignette. Inc. in Ohio. Signed by president Platt (
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Start Price : 50.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
 
 
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Philadelphia and Easton Railway Bond  1904 [130697]3396 - Philadelphia and Easton Railway Bond 1904 [130697]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Philadelphia and Easton Railway Company $1000 5% 40 year bond, signed by president Rosenberger(?), #448. Nice Railway Car vignette. All 80 coupons att
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Start Price : 50.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
 
 
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Southern Utah Railroad, 2 Different I/U stocks [177027]3397 - Southern Utah Railroad, 2 Different I/U stocks [177027]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
I/U 1924 dark orange, 1908 light orange. Utah Ken Prag Collection
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold to t****c for (60.00 + 15.00BP) = 75.00
 
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Utah Railroad Stocks and Bonds, 5 [177080]3398 - Utah Railroad Stocks and Bonds, 5 [177080]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Stocks-1920 National Coal Railway, 1917 Helper Western, 1913 Clark Metal Tie and Rail-interesting new and old rail vignette. Bond-1926 Utah Idaho Cent
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 160.00 - 250.00
Sold to b****5 for (100.00 + 25.00BP) = 125.00
 
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Utah Rapid Transit Uncanceled Bond, 1920 [177028]3399 - Utah Rapid Transit Uncanceled Bond, 1920 [177028]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1920 uncanceled Utah Rapid Transit bond. All coupons attached in unusual back "booklet" style. Utah Ken Prag Collection
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (35.00 + 8.75BP) = 43.75
 
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Washington Railroad Stock and Bond Trio [177025]3400 - Washington Railroad Stock and Bond Trio [177025]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
3 issued. Stocks-1890 Belt Line Electric, 1916 Methow Valley & Eastern. Bond-1931 Seattle and Rainier Valley. Washington Ken Prag Collection
Bidding Has Concluded
Quantity : 1 | Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (20.00 + 5.00BP) = 25.00
 
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