Dynamite, Guns, and Gold

Auction Details

April auction
Highlights
1. The Great American Mining Collection
a. Miners Candlesticks. About 300 different. This is easily the finest public offering of uniquely American historic miners candlesticks in history. The sheer volume of the offering is sure to stimulate new collectors in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The material is organized roughly around Wilson-Bobrink, the breakthrough reference for miners candlesticks. You’ll find new discoveries, personalized sticks and expanded discussion regarding manufactured sticks.
b. Mine Carbide Collectibles. The Collection is so massive that we’ve split it into two parts, with the second part coming in June. The development of the acetylene lamps was a scientific breakthrough for the mining industry. The April sale has many tidbits for the collection, including some large hand held lamps and a sampling of other lamps. The June sale has the majority of the Superintendent style hand/hanging lamps and the cap lamps. The collections of carbide/acetylene devices number in excess of one thousand pieces, all different.
c. Miner’s Safety Lamps. This historic invention created generations of scientific devices used for the all-important gas detection. The Collection has 90 different safety lamps. Most will be offered in June.
d. Miner’s Oil wick lamps, hundreds, all different. A large collection of these coal region lamps, they will be offered in June.
e. Other underground mine lighting devices – a vast collection of foreign lamps
f. Wood Blasting and Candle boxes. There is a wonderful collection of these very “showy” collectibles. The variety of the collection is excellent, from explosives boxes to cap boxes to candle boxes. The variety in size is notable too, with a number of the smaller 25 pound boxes. There are at least 50- a sizable collection. A few will be in the June sale, but most in April.
g. Blasting cap tin collection. A significant collection that has singles as well as original boxes full. Easily over 100 blasting cap tin boxes.
h. Mine bell signal signs and other mining enamel signs. A Collection you won’t want to forget. This collection has a wide variety of not only western mines, but international mine signs. The individual state mine bell signal signs are the clear highlight.
i. Mining equipment Patent models -three of them, nineteenth century
2. Antique Bottle Collections
a. Arizona Collection. A wide variety of medicines, sodas and milk bottles
b. Small Nevada Collection. The April sale has some rare Nevada items, with more coming in June.
c. Major Western Whiskey Flask Collection. This collection is slated for June.
d. Great Rarities of Western Whiskies. The April sale offers some outstanding rarities not usually seen at any auction gallery. These are sure to excite the advanced collectors.
e. Colorful antique bottles. It seems we always have submittals of beautiful antique bottles. We’ve got a section in every sale.
f. Leadville, Colorado Collection. A collection of medicines and soda bottles. This one is different – nearly every specimen is dead mint. Watch for the Colorado whiskies coming in June!
3. Postal History and Wells Fargo Express- a large collection of widely varied material. A section we always have, a popular colleting category.
4. Gold
a. Nuggets from Western Sites
b. High grade visible gold in ore specimens from major Nevada mining districts such as Austin and Tuscarora.
c. Jewelry and watches. A collection of pocket watches, gold and Native America jewelry. Diamond jewelry too.
5. Coins, Currency – Numismatics
a. Important 1860’s Unionville silver ingot, a discovery piece
b. Major Morgan Dollar Collection, including varieties
c. US coins, including gold
d. US $20 Gold Note, AU
e. Hundreds of US Proof and Mint sets
f. Fun US currency collectible lots
g. Rare So-Called dollars and gaming items
h. Tokens- great variety of national interest
6. Toys
a. Trains. HO sets, more than 60 engines
b. Hot Wheels. Hundreds of cars.
c. Military toy planes, boats, etc.
d. Original boxed models
7. Documents
a. Mining stocks, some great material
b. Rare western maps
c. V&T RR Document Collection- a beauty
d. Lots of other key pieces
8. Firearms- More than 100 antique firearms. A wide variety of collectible firearms including rarities.
9. Militaria. A nice collection of maybe 100+ pieces coming in June.
a. Swords. A couple dozen
b. Helmets. Dozens
10. Cowboy
a. Great spurs, including silver inlay Garcia
11. Western Research- Key books – a dozen rare western directories, etc.
More Coming In June or Later:
1. A great Western Antique Bottle Collection- considering having a sale in conjunction with the Reno Show in June.
2. Swords- Katana Collection, about 800 different, one of the best collections in America. Watch for an important separate auction!
3. More from the Great American Mining Collection, Carbide lamps, part 2; and Oil wick Lamps
4. The Appalachian Gold Belt Collection- America’s First Gold Discoveries, 1828- the finest collection of documents in private hands. Watch for a stand-alone sale here. We are negotiating venues now.
5. A special offering of mining properties in Colorado. The fee-simple patented claims are in a major gold district, where current exploration is just getting going. Some properties in this district have also produced great gold specimens for the collectors.


If you have collections that might fit into our upcoming sales, please be sure to contact us - we will be traveling to pick up collections for the next 2 months in California, Arizona, Montana and Colorado, with a possible trip to the New York-Boston area later in the year as well.
If you want to view an enlarged image, click on the thumbnail image in the lower left of the main image.
You can download a higher resolution image by clicking on the title below the enlarged image.
If a Coin is certified(NGC, NCS, PCGS) the coins may not be as sharp or the edges may appear distorted or damaged. If you have any questions contact me.
You can request extra images to be added by contacting HWAC at uwe@fhwac.com or by calling 775-851-1859
Choose Your Layout > Switch to Grid View Switch to List View
Unlisted Right Hook Miners' Candlestick1181 - Unlisted Right Hook Miners' Candlestick
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Although this stick is unmarked and unlisted, it is similar to #103 in Wilson and Bobrink. This stick measures 8" inches long and one-piece ste...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 120.00 - 200.00
Sold to S*****8 for (55.00 + 13.20BP) = 68.20
 
Details...Bookmark
Unlisted Wire Model Miners' Candlestick1182 - Unlisted Wire Model Miners' Candlestick
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Although this stick is unmarked and unlisted, it is similar to #84 in Wilson and Bobrink. This stick measures 7.75" inches long and one-piece s...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to 8***1 for (40.00 + 8.40BP) = 48.40
 
Details...Bookmark
Hat Hook Miners' Candlestick1183 - Hat Hook Miners' Candlestick
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This stick measures 9" inches long and is not marked. Constructed out of two piece steel with hat hook. Rather uncommon stick. Wilson-Bobrink #...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
Sold to p******1 for (60.00 + 14.40BP) = 74.40
 
Details...Bookmark
Miners' Candlestick with Unusual Thumb Lever1184 - Miners' Candlestick with Unusual Thumb Lever
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This stick is unusual with a detailed thumb lever that could have been used to help light matched. This stick is also a high grader. It measures 9.5...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
Sold to p********1 for (130.00 + 31.20BP) = 161.20
 
Details...Bookmark
Single Point Miners' Candlesticks1185 - Single Point Miners' Candlesticks
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of two abbreviated model miners' candlesticks. According to Wilson and Bobrink, this style of candlestick would have been produced by a blac...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to t********n.. for (50.00 + 10.50BP) = 60.50
 
Details...Bookmark
Serrated Thimble Miners' Candlestick1186 - Serrated Thimble Miners' Candlestick
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Unmarked and unlisted miners' candlestick with a very Sholder patent like design on the thimble. This stick was constructed from one piece steel...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to S*****8 for (50.00 + 12.00BP) = 62.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Unusual Left Hook Miners' Candlestick1187 - Unusual Left Hook Miners' Candlestick
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Unusual unmarked and unlisted miners' candlestick with the hook on the left side. Although unlisted in Wilson and Bobrink, it most closely resem...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 80.00 - 120.00
Sold to p******1 for (30.00 + 7.20BP) = 37.20
 
Details...Bookmark
Unusual Hook Design Miners' Candlestick1188 - Unusual Hook Design Miners' Candlestick
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Unusual unmarked and unlisted miners' candlestick with an oddly shaped hook. The thumb lever appears to have been shaped into a heart liked desi...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
Sold to E*****1 for (50.00 + 12.00BP) = 62.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Fancy Model Copper Miners' Candlestick1189 - Fancy Model Copper Miners' Candlestick
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Beautiful example of a fancy miners' candlestick! This stick features beautiful ornamentation including a serrated thimble, horseshoe designed h...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold to G****d for (550.00 + 132.00BP) = 682.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Large Miners' Candlestick1190 - Large Miners' Candlestick
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Extra large miners' candlestick with an unusual hook. This stick measures at 13" long and is constructed from one-piece steel with a wide r...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
Sold to k**********y for (55.00 + 11.55BP) = 66.55
 
Details...Bookmark
Partially Cast Model Miners' Candlestick1191 - Partially Cast Model Miners' Candlestick
Holabird Western Americana Collections
According to Wilson and Bobrink, the complicated mold needed for casting this stick's handle suggests that it was intended for mass production, ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 2,000.00
Sold to p*******h for (550.00 + 115.50BP) = 665.50
 
Details...Bookmark
Hasp-Thimble Model Miners' Candlestick1192 - Hasp-Thimble Model Miners' Candlestick
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This model of candlestick features a handle that is compressed to insert or move the candle. It measures 13" inches long and was constructed fr...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 600.00
Sold to p******1 for (170.00 + 40.80BP) = 210.80
 
Details...Bookmark
Miners' Candlestick with Unique Post1193 - Miners' Candlestick with Unique Post
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Right hook miner's candlestick with a unique post. The hook is set into a wider, bell-shaped base. The spike is skinny and has a tear drop han...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 80.00 - 120.00
Sold to S****2 for (45.00 + 10.80BP) = 55.80
 
Details...Bookmark
Two Skinny Miners' Candlesticks1194 - Two Skinny Miners' Candlesticks
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Two right hook, braised, skinny spike candlesticks. The first is 13 inches long with a scalloped thumb lever and a round handle (2.5 inches in diamet
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
Sold to J**********a for (60.00 + 12.60BP) = 72.60
 
Details...Bookmark
5 Small Handle Miners' Candlesticks1195 - 5 Small Handle Miners' Candlesticks
Holabird Western Americana Collections
5 right hook, miners' candlesticks with small handles that are mostly round and teardrop shaped with diameters around 1.5 - 2 inches. There are...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 250.00 - 500.00
Sold to r********y.. for (145.00 + 30.45BP) = 175.45
 
Details...Bookmark
3 Blacksmith Miners' Candlesticks1196 - 3 Blacksmith Miners' Candlesticks
Holabird Western Americana Collections
3 right hook, blacksmith miners' candlesticks. Two have square spikes and small hooks while the large one is rounded with a tall hook. Each ha...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
Sold to S****2 for (85.00 + 20.40BP) = 105.40
 
Details...Bookmark
Two Similar Miners' Candlesticks1197 - Two Similar Miners' Candlesticks
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Two similar right hook miners' candlesticks. Both have tall, thick, long spikes and rounded handles (diameter = 2 and 2.5 inch), possibly from ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
Sold to j*****r for (55.00 + 13.20BP) = 68.20
 
Details...Bookmark
Beveled Miners' Candlestick1198 - Beveled Miners' Candlestick
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A right hook miners' candlestick with unique beveling on the spike and handle. The spike is very square-set until the edges are rounded off nea...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 70.00 - 100.00
Sold to j*****0 for (35.00 + 7.35BP) = 42.35
 
Details...Bookmark
Three Large Miners' Candlesticks1199 - Three Large Miners' Candlesticks
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Three large, right hook, unbraised miners' candlesticks. All three are opened handles (not connected together at handle neck) and teardrop sh...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
Sold to 8***1 for (60.00 + 12.60BP) = 72.60
 
Details...Bookmark
Five Blacksmith Miners' Candlesticks1200 - Five Blacksmith Miners' Candlesticks
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Five right hook blacksmith miners' candlesticks. One has an old repair to the hook and another has a broken hook. All have square-shaped spike...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to 8*****H for (130.00 + 31.20BP) = 161.20
 
Details...Bookmark