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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Assayer Book From 1878 for J. Taylor & Company  1878 [170327]4241 - Assayer Book From 1878 for J. Taylor & Company 1878 [170327]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
An assayer book with latest valuations of silver and gold at different degrees of fineness, as of October 1, 1878 for John Taylor & Company of ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 250.00 | Estimate : 500.00 - 1,000.00
 
 
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Chem Lab & General Mining Offices - Lettersheet, 1879 [173901]4242 - Chem Lab & General Mining Offices - Lettersheet, 1879 [173901]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Chemical Laboratory & General Mining Offices Letter sheet ñ J. S. Phillips ñ Located at 702 California St. San Francisco. Earlier in 1...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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California Gold in Quartz Nugget from the Shasta Area [158905]4243 - California Gold in Quartz Nugget from the Shasta Area [158905]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Large Gold and Quartz Nugget, 2.5 x 3.5" from the Shasta Area. This piece is so big it is almost a small boulder. Found decades ago by metal de...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 15,000.00 - 22,000.00
Sold to n*******g for (20,000.00 + 5,000.00BP) = 25,000.00
 
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Fricot Gold Nugget & California Gold Ingots Original CDV Photograph c.1867 [158074]4244 - Fricot Gold Nugget & California Gold Ingots Original CDV Photograph c.1867 [158074]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This photograph is arguably one of the most important historical artifacts for ingot collectors. It is so important for ingot research because it a pe
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 2,000.00 - 5,000.00
Sold to d**********r for (1,000.00 + 250.00BP) = 1,250.00
 
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Stagecoach Robbery Letter, Silver Bars stolen, c1872 [169386]4245 - Stagecoach Robbery Letter, Silver Bars stolen, c1872 [169386]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Manhattan Silver Mining Company of Nevada Austin. Stagecoach Robbery Letter, Silver Bars stolen.– One page letter on the Manhattan Silver Min
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 750.00 | Estimate : 1,500.00 - 2,750.00
 
 
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CDV of Comstock Ingot Made by E. Ruhling & Co. Assayers during Franco-Prussian War [178326]4246 - CDV of Comstock Ingot Made by E. Ruhling & Co. Assayers during Franco-Prussian War [178326]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Unique. The ingot pictured is # 9680 weighing 1630.7 Troy oz. with silver at 962 fine and gold at 32.5 fine worth a total of $3123.76. The ingot was p
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 2,000.00
Sold to d**********r for (1,300.00 + 325.00BP) = 1,625.00
 
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Private Coin Minter Broderick Autograph  c1857-59 [155388]4247 - Private Coin Minter Broderick Autograph c1857-59 [155388]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
California Senator / Private Coin Minter David C. Broderick Autograph on Cover sent from D.C. Broderick, U.S. Senate, to Edwin Carpenter in Schenectad
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
 
 
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$10 Liberty Head Gold 1882 [178648]4248 - $10 Liberty Head Gold 1882 [178648]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Liberty Head $10 gold piece: 1882; AU condition. Mintage of 2,324,440. AGW .48375 oz.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,100.00 - 1,300.00
Sold to s*****6 for (1,350.00 + 276.75BP) = 1,626.75
 
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20th Century U. S. Type Set [179143]4249 - 20th Century U. S. Type Set [179143]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Three page vinyl folder with 25 coins of the United States from the 20th century. Indian cent, Lincoln cent through Morgan, Eisenhower and Peace silve
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (85.00 + 21.25BP) = 106.25
 
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American Eagle Two-Coin Silver Proof Set [179141]4250 - American Eagle Two-Coin Silver Proof Set [179141]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Issued in 2012 by the United States Mint at San Francisco. Beautiful frosted proof and reverse proof 2012 silver eagles, in a hard shell case, in orig
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to s*****e for (130.00 + 26.65BP) = 156.65
 
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American Liberty 225th Anniversary Silver Medal Set [179142]4251 - American Liberty 225th Anniversary Silver Medal Set [179142]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
United State Mint issued this American Liberty 225th Anniversary Silver Four-Medal Set in 2017. Each of the medals is one troy ounce of 99.9% silver.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 600.00
Sold to f*****E for (325.00 + 81.25BP) = 406.25
 
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Coins Foreign & WWII [178494]4252 - Coins Foreign & WWII [178494]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Collection of 60+ foreign coins. All date from the early to late 20th century. Some unusual countries in the lot including Jordan, South Africa, Moroc
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to c********e for (60.00 + 15.00BP) = 75.00
 
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Eisenhower Dollars Coin Album [179091]4253 - Eisenhower Dollars Coin Album [179091]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Brown Dansco # 7176: Eisenhower Dollars. 1971-1978. 21 uncirculated and proof dollars including 40% silver. Salvatore Falcone Collection
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to d*******f for (130.00 + 32.50BP) = 162.50
 
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GSA Carson City Dollar: 1883-CC [178778]4254 - GSA Carson City Dollar: 1883-CC [178778]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
In original box with unnumbered GSA card. Uncertified but a stunningly gorgeous, bag mark free example of the Carson City dollar hoard sold in the 197
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold to p******y for (325.00 + 81.25BP) = 406.25
 
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Indian Princess Head $3 Gold Piece  1855 [163145]4255 - Indian Princess Head $3 Gold Piece 1855 [163145]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Mintage of 50, 555. EF-AU condition, possibly cleaned long ago. These coins did not see extensive day-to-day circulation on the East Coast, but were m
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 2,000.00 - 4,000.00
Sold to j*****d for (1,300.00 + 325.00BP) = 1,625.00
 
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Jefferson Nickel Album [179036]4256 - Jefferson Nickel Album [179036]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Blue Whitman #9410 coin album Jefferson Nickels 1938-1964 with all 71 coins in nice grades. Album cover binding loose but other wise condition. S
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 60.00 - 120.00
Sold to d*******f for (85.00 + 21.25BP) = 106.25
 
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Large Cent Collection (23) [179097]4257 - Large Cent Collection (23) [179097]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 23 large cents dated from 1833-1856, missing only 1855. Housed in a Meghrig #1131 coin board meant for commemorative half dollars. AG-F condit
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 300.00 | Estimate : 600.00 - 1,000.00
 
 
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Lincoln Cent Hoard - EARLY! [179084]4258 - Lincoln Cent Hoard - EARLY! [179084]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Nine inch long coin box filled with hundreds of early Lincoln cents. Our estimate is 400 pennies. Dates from 1909 through the 1940s, many different d
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 140.00 - 280.00
Sold to j*****d for (250.00 + 62.50BP) = 312.50
 
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Lincoln Penny BU Roll: 1934-P [177680]4259 - Lincoln Penny BU Roll: 1934-P [177680]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
One BU roll of 1934 Philadelphia Lincoln cents. In 1934 saw the shooting of Bonnie and Clyde in April, and John Dillinger in July.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to w**********e for (350.00 + 87.50BP) = 437.50
 
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Lincoln Penny BU Roll: 1938-D [177943]4260 - Lincoln Penny BU Roll: 1938-D [177943]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Rare date BU roll of Lincoln cents: 1938-D. Hitler marches into Austria in 1938.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to w**********e for (250.00 + 62.50BP) = 312.50
 
Details...Bookmark