AUCTION  /  THE GOLDEN WEST AUCTIONS

THE GOLDEN WEST AUCTIONS

Auction Currency:USD Auction Location:Each session will be held at different locations, Sacramento, California, 95815, United States

Auction Details

The Golden West Sale encompasses three sessions of auctions covering some of the most important historical western material from the Gold Rush periods of California, Nevada and Colorado. The material has been assembled from many of the great western collections, as well as original material handed down within Gold Rush families, held intact for over 100 years.
Session A of the Golden West Sale encompasses the annual WESTS (Western States Token Society) token auction. This year the highlight is clearly and unarguably the finest Western Indian Trader, Fort & Territorial collection ever assembled at public auction. The more than 500 lot sale contains dozens of R9 and R10 tokens, many of which have not seen the light of day in at least four decades. Some ephemera also is included from Indian Trader sites. Indian Trader tokens are an important form of money exchanged between Indians and Anglos in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Trading Posts were a way of life in the isolated outposts of the western plains and mountains, swapping furs, rugs, coats and other items for food stuffs and equipment. There has never been a sale of this magnitude and importance. The end of this sale will include a comprehensive collection of Naval tokens never before offered and with NO ESTIMATES or MINIMUM BID REQUIREMENTS, as this offering will set the pricing precedent for naval tokens.
Session B encompasses many of the popular collecting categories. It includes a strong photograph collection of American saloon interiors, saloon ephemera and Gold Rush region saloon tokens, also known as Pioneer Minor Coinage. Part of the saloon section includes a large collection of the ultra-rare Good-for mirrors, one of the rarest forms of money, many with pictorial representations of the fabulous “gay-90’s” saloon girls, as well as advertising mirrors. This is the largest mirror offering since the Rosa sale of 1988. Most of the mirrors are so rare that only one to three specimens of each are known. The session will be rounded out by a collection of So-called dollars and Hibler Kappen related material, $50 slug facsimiles, Chopmarked coins, Golden Gate International Exposition Medals and more. Much of this section is from the well-known Bill Weber Collection.
Session C The highlight of the sale is certainly the newly discovered Washington Nugget, a nearly 100 ounce nugget (and several others) found in an unmined section of the Omega-Malakoff Tertiary Channel in February, 2010 that made national news. The nuggets are accompanied by two large original nineteenth-century bullion scales (Christian Becker, New York; Henry Troemner, Philadelphia), It is accompanied in the sale by some masterful original Gold Rush art, inclusive of a spectacular and early rendition of a miner, several broadsides- a miner in lithographic form, panoramic views of mining communities, a number of original Currier & Ives prints of the Gold Rush and Salt Lake City, stage coach pieces, and the Alaska 1893 Yukon/Alaska Miners Union Banner.
A massive Gold Rush banking collection covers the 1850’s through 1860’s in California and Nevada, with what is probably the largest Gold Rush period banking collection ever offered publicly. It contains more than 100 different Bills of Exchange, a form of the first circulating currency on the West Coast. A wonderful and large collection of Gold Rush banking documents augments this fine collection, along with original leather gold pokes and money belts.
Some of the highlights of the Gold Rush Collection are documents from the original 1910 San Francisco sale of the estate of James King of William, documents signed by Adolph Sutro, California coiner F. D. Kohler, and others. A very rare letter book from Nevada mining and railroad magnate Hume Yerington from the mid-1860’s contains incredible information about his life prior to his railroad successes.
A large collection of US Mint ephemera is included, including rare bullion receipts, photographs, lithograph, gold coin and other coin bank bags, as well as rare Carson City gold and silver coins. Accompanying the Mint ephemera is a section of California Counters and rare California Gold Rush tokens.
Carson Hill,CA - Calaveras County - March 4, 1899 - Melones Mining Company Stock Certificate :3158Carson Hill,CA - Calaveras County - March 4, 1899 - Melones Mining Company Stock Certificate :
Incorporated in West Virginia. Cert. #790, issued to E. Samuel Jacobs in 1899 for 100 shares. Signed by J.C. Whitney, treasurer, and James Parker as p
Start Price : 25.00 | Estimates : 50.00 - 100.00
Carson Hill,CA - Calaveras - 1899 - Melones Mining Company Stock Certificate :3159Carson Hill,CA - Calaveras - 1899 - Melones Mining Company Stock Certificate :
Carson Hill. Calaveras County. Incorporated under the laws of the State of West Virginia. Issued to E. Samuel Jacobs on March 4, 1899. Dateline Boston
Start Price : 25.00 | Estimates : 50.00 - 100.00
Sold for (25.00 + 4.38) x 1 = 29.38
Chico,CA - Butte County - c1908 - Iron Brew Saloon Photograph :3160Chico,CA - Butte County - c1908 - Iron Brew Saloon Photograph :
Decorative saloon interior. Wooden bar front. A bartender stands behind the bar next to a young boy with an open whiskey bottle in from of them, and
Start Price : 25.00 | Estimates : 50.00 - 100.00
Sold for (110.00 + 19.25) x 1 = 129.25
Chico,CA - Butte County - April 25, 1864 - Nourse, George F. Signed Receipt :3161Chico,CA - Butte County - April 25, 1864 - Nourse, George F. Signed Receipt :
Lot of two items: 1) “Forwarding and Commission house of Geo. F. Nourse” letterhead, datelined Chico Landing and signed by Geo. F. Nourse, one of the
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimates : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold for (50.00 + 8.75) x 1 = 58.75
Coalinga,CA - Fresno - 1983 - Selected Field Trips… Publication :3162Coalinga,CA - Fresno - 1983 - Selected Field Trips… Publication :
By Fowkes, E.J., 1983. Softcovered, 98 pages with many black and white photographs, illustrations, maps, and tables. NAGT Guidebook, Far West Section
Start Price : 10.00 | Estimates : 20.00 - 40.00
Columbia,CA - Tuolumne County - August 1852 - Tuolumne County Water Company Receipts :3163Columbia,CA - Tuolumne County - August 1852 - Tuolumne County Water Company Receipts :
Lot of two receipts, printed on light blue paper, measuring 3 x 5." Each is made out to Webb and signed by Collector Bowen. With the discovery...
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimates : 100.00 - 300.00
Sold for (55.00 + 9.63) x 1 = 64.63
Copperopolis,CA - Feb. 7, 1864 - California Gold Mining Letter :3164Copperopolis,CA - Feb. 7, 1864 - California Gold Mining Letter :
Handwritten on folded sheet. Script tight and legible. Discusses the broken down equipment of the Keystone Co. Mentions that the "crushing appa...
Start Price : 75.00 | Estimates : 150.00 - 300.00
Sold for (75.00 + 13.13) x 1 = 88.13
Daggett,CA - San Bernardino County - 1965 - Idol of the West: The Fabulous Career of Rollin Mallory3165Daggett,CA - San Bernardino County - 1965 - Idol of the West: The Fabulous Career of Rollin Mallory
By Francis Phelps Weisenburger, Syracuse University Press. Paher #2119. Photos, 220 pages with Index and Bibliography. Tears in front of dust jacket
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimates : 100.00 - 150.00
Death Valley,CA - Inyo County - Death Valley Books :3166Death Valley,CA - Inyo County - Death Valley Books :
Lot of four Books includes: 1) An Unnatural History of Death Valley (with reflections on the valley’s varmints, virgins, vandals and visionaries), By
Start Price : 125.00 | Estimates : 250.00 - 400.00
Death Valley,CA - Inyo County - Boy Scouts in Death Valley, Publication :3167Death Valley,CA - Inyo County - Boy Scouts in Death Valley, Publication :
Subtitle: The City in the Sky, by Ralphson, G. Harvey. Hardcover, 256 pages. Published by M.A. Donohue & Company, 1914.
Start Price : 25.00 | Estimates : 50.00 - 75.00
Death Valley,CA - Inyo County - 1933 - Comrades of the Desert, Book :3168Death Valley,CA - Inyo County - 1933 - Comrades of the Desert, Book :
A story for boys by Ruth Thompson. Sixth printing by Harr Wagner Publishing Company of San Francisco, California. Hardcover without dust jacket, 195 p
Start Price : 25.00 | Estimates : 50.00 - 100.00
Death Valley,CA - Inyo County - Death Valley Characters, Publication :3169Death Valley,CA - Inyo County - Death Valley Characters, Publication :
Lot of four includes: 1) Death Valley Scotty: The Man and the Myth by Johnston, Hank; 2) Pete Aguereberry: Death Valley Prospector & Gold Miner by Pip
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimates : 100.00 - 150.00
Death Valley,CA - Inyo County - 1941 - Desert Country, Book :3170Death Valley,CA - Inyo County - 1941 - Desert Country, Book :
By Edwin Corle. Published in 1941. Paher# 382. 357 Pages. Torn dust jacket.
Start Price : 20.00 | Estimates : 40.00 - 60.00
Sold for (20.00 + 3.50) x 1 = 23.50
Death Valley,CA - Inyo County - Furnace Creek Copper Co. Stock :3171Death Valley,CA - Inyo County - Furnace Creek Copper Co. Stock :
Incorporated in the State of Washington. No. 6983 issued Nov. 30, 1906 (stamp dated) for 100 shares. Blk with green underprint on crème. Vignet...
Start Price : 12.00 | Estimates : 25.00 - 75.00
Diamondville,CA - Butte County - 1892 - California Mining Stock Certificates :3172Diamondville,CA - Butte County - 1892 - California Mining Stock Certificates :
Lot of four items. 1) Diamondville Blue Gravel Mining Company (2), incorporated May 1st, 1875. Certificate No. 143 and 234, both blank. "Locati...
Start Price : 38.00 | Estimates : 75.00 - 100.00
Sold for (38.00 + 6.65) x 1 = 44.65
Downieville,CA - Ladd & Co. Banking House Assay Receipt :3173Downieville,CA - Ladd & Co. Banking House Assay Receipt :
This is a small 5 14/ x 3 ¼” preprinted deposit form for “Coin, Gold Dust, or Checks” for the Banking House of W. H. Ladd & Co., Downieville. ...
Start Price : 10.00
Sold for (10.00 + 1.75) x 1 = 11.75
Downieville,CA - Sierra County - 1869-1930 - Northern California Mining Group :3174Downieville,CA - Sierra County - 1869-1930 - Northern California Mining Group :
Lot of three items. 1) Sierra Valley Bank check, dated Mar. 1, 1930, and signed by Emile Loeffler for the Harmony Lodge No. 164, F. & A.M. 2) Sierra V
Start Price : 25.00 | Estimates : 50.00 - 75.00
Downieville,CA - 1860s - P.A. Lamping & Co. Bills of Exchange :3175Downieville,CA - 1860s - P.A. Lamping & Co. Bills of Exchange :
Lot of two. 1) Unnumbered, unissued original of exchange c1860s. Vignette of seated lady with ships in background. Britton & Co. Printers, San Francis
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimates : 100.00 - 150.00
Esmeralda,CA - Calaveras County - 1860, 1863 - Power of Attorney Document :3176Esmeralda,CA - Calaveras County - 1860, 1863 - Power of Attorney Document :
A handwritten document first filed for record on October 21, 1860 in the records of Esmeralda District, Calaveras County, California by Elijah Seaton
Start Price : 75.00 | Estimates : 150.00 - 300.00
Sold for (85.00 + 14.88) x 1 = 99.88
Folsom,CA - Sacramento County - July 24, 1860 - Palmer & Day's Assay Office Receipt :3177Folsom,CA - Sacramento County - July 24, 1860 - Palmer & Day's Assay Office Receipt :
Assay receipt for 218.46 oz of gold dust for assay in advance of $3,600.00
Start Price : 38.00 | Estimates : 75.00 - 150.00
Folsom,CA - Sacramento County - October 9, 1860 - Palmer & Day's Assay Office Receipt :3178Folsom,CA - Sacramento County - October 9, 1860 - Palmer & Day's Assay Office Receipt :
Assay receipt for 39.32 oz of gold dust for assay in advance of $500.00.
Start Price : 38.00 | Estimates : 75.00 - 150.00
Sold for (38.00 + 6.65) x 1 = 44.65
Forest City,CA - Butte County - July 9, 1869 - Young America Mining Company Payroll Receipt :3179Forest City,CA - Butte County - July 9, 1869 - Young America Mining Company Payroll Receipt :
A plain receipt printed on white paper with black print. Titled, “To the Treasurer of the Young America Mining Company.” No. 702, issued to L. Walker
Start Price : 75.00 | Estimates : 150.00 - 250.00
Sold for (75.00 + 13.13) x 1 = 88.13
Forest Hill,CA - 1859 - Forest Hill Bank Checks :3180Forest Hill,CA - 1859 - Forest Hill Bank Checks :
Lot of three. 1) No. 40 issued Dec. 4, 1859 to C.A. Langley (San Francisco druggists) for $202.25. Signed Hardy & Kennedy (store merchant). Endorsed o
Start Price : 75.00 | Estimates : 150.00 - 200.00
Sold for (170.00 + 29.75) x 1 = 199.75
Forest Hill,CA - July 29, 1860 - Wells Fargo & Co.'s Express Bullion Receipt :3181Forest Hill,CA - July 29, 1860 - Wells Fargo & Co.'s Express Bullion Receipt :
W. F. Standard bullion receipt. This one is for a bag of dust valued at $3700 shipped from Hardy & Kennedy in Forest Hill to Banker D.O. Mills in Sacr
Start Price : 75.00 | Estimates : 150.00 - 250.00
Sold for (75.00 + 13.13) x 1 = 88.13
Foresthill,CA - Sierra County - 1859-1860 - Hardy & Kennedy Checks :3182Foresthill,CA - Sierra County - 1859-1860 - Hardy & Kennedy Checks :
Lot of two. 1) Issued May 25, 1860 for $3000. Unnumbered. D.O. Mills & Co. Bankers, Sacramento. Signed Hardy & Kennedy. Cut cancel at center red on cr
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimates : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold for (50.00 + 8.75) x 1 = 58.75
Foresthill,CA - Mills, D. O. to Hardy & Kennedy Letter :3183Foresthill,CA - Mills, D. O. to Hardy & Kennedy Letter :
Letter from D.O. Mills & Co. To Hardy & Kennedy stating problems with processing two certs of assay. "Coin is taking the place of bars this st...
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimates : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold for (110.00 + 19.25) x 1 = 129.25
Foresthill,CA - Placer County - November, 1860 - Wells Fargo & Co. Receipt for 2 Bags of Gold Dust :3184Foresthill,CA - Placer County - November, 1860 - Wells Fargo & Co. Receipt for 2 Bags of Gold Dust :
Wells Fargo & Co Express receipt for 2 bags of gold dust received of Hardy & Kennedy addressed to the offices of Fretz & Ralston valued at $2300 and $
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimates : 200.00 - 300.00
Fresno County,CA - Geologic Map of Coalinga-New Idria Area, California Division of Forestry :3185Fresno County,CA - Geologic Map of Coalinga-New Idria Area, California Division of Forestry :
Fresno County,CA - Geologic Map of Coalinga-New Idria Area, California Division of Forestry :
Start Price : 5.00 | Estimates : 10.00 - 20.00
Sold for (9.00 + 1.58) x 1 = 10.58
Fresno County,CA - c1910 - Mining Photographs :3186Fresno County,CA - c1910 - Mining Photographs :
Lot of six. These Photographs depict a mining operation probably close to the eastern side of Fresno County. Six photographs: two depict miners push
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimates : 100.00 - 200.00
Graeagle,CA - Plumas County - c1917 - Davies' Mill, Mohawk Valley RPC :3187Graeagle,CA - Plumas County - c1917 - Davies' Mill, Mohawk Valley RPC :
The photo shows a lumber mill in full swing, smoke coming from the smokestack, a large pile of lumber to the left and general industry, set among the
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimates : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold for (50.00 + 8.75) x 1 = 58.75
Grass Valley,CA - 1879-1898 - Grass Valley Stock Certificate Collection (5) :3188Grass Valley,CA - 1879-1898 - Grass Valley Stock Certificate Collection (5) :
Lot of five. 1) Pennsylvania Consolidated Mining Co. Incorporated Feb. 25, 1876. No. 603 issued Mar. 30, 1898 for 500 shares. Signed by Theo Wilhelm,
Start Price : 75.00 | Estimates : 150.00 - 200.00
Sold for (225.00 + 39.38) x 1 = 264.38
Guerneville,CA - Sonoma County - c1910 - Saw Mill Photograph :3189Guerneville,CA - Sonoma County - c1910 - Saw Mill Photograph :
Mill workers pose for the “Early Days” in Guerneville. Photograph measures 7”x5”, no matte, high to medium contrast—minor yellowing, and the focus is
Start Price : 38.00 | Estimates : 75.00 - 150.00
Horse Shoe Bar,CA - Placer County - September 20, 1857 - American River Water and Mining Company Acc3190Horse Shoe Bar,CA - Placer County - September 20, 1857 - American River Water and Mining Company Acc
An early account sheet listing the Water Collector’s Weekly Returns of accounts paid. On blue paper, measuring 8 x 12.” Signed by John Sherdain, Colle
Start Price : 75.00 | Estimates : 150.00 - 300.00
Sold for (85.00 + 14.88) x 1 = 99.88
Hot Springs,CA - Tulare County - c1910 - Hotel Del Venado Photograph :3191Hot Springs,CA - Tulare County - c1910 - Hotel Del Venado Photograph :
First named Deer Creek Hot Springs, the small resort town became California Hot Springs in 1927. Hot Springs Post Office was established in 1900. Lo
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimates : 100.00 - 300.00
Huntington Lake,CA - Fresno County - No Date - Resort Winter Scene Photograph :3192Huntington Lake,CA - Fresno County - No Date - Resort Winter Scene Photograph :
This photograph may be at Huntington Lake. An idyllic winter scene is depicted in the photograph. The tracks of a cross country skier are left behin
Start Price : 25.00 | Estimates : 50.00 - 75.00
Huntington Lake,CA - Fresno County - c1915 - Truck Line-Up at Huntington Lake Photograph :3193Huntington Lake,CA - Fresno County - c1915 - Truck Line-Up at Huntington Lake Photograph :
Probably at Huntington Lake (not verified), eight trucks are lined-up with drivers posing in front of their rigs. The first two trucks are loaded wit
Start Price : 38.00 | Estimates : 75.00 - 150.00
Sold for (38.00 + 6.65) x 1 = 44.65
Independence,CA - Inyo County - 1862-1877 - Boys in the Sky-Blue Pants, Publication :3194Independence,CA - Inyo County - 1862-1877 - Boys in the Sky-Blue Pants, Publication :
By Cragen, Dorothy Clora. Hardcover, indexed, 211 pages including photographs and illustrations. Pioneer Publishing Company, 1975. Tells the story of
Start Price : 38.00 | Estimates : 75.00 - 100.00
Independence,CA - Inyo County - August 17, 1891 - Wells, Fargo & Company Check :3195Independence,CA - Inyo County - August 17, 1891 - Wells, Fargo & Company Check :
Check #4526, datelined Independence, issued to Triest & Co. for $10, on the account of Nathan Rhine. Signed by Henry Rhine. Printer: Bacon & Co., San
Start Price : 38.00 | Estimates : 75.00 - 150.00
Sold for (38.00 + 6.65) x 1 = 44.65
Indio,CA - Riverside County - 1967 - From Maine to Mecca :3196Indio,CA - Riverside County - 1967 - From Maine to Mecca :
By Nevada C. Colley, with illustrations by Charles C. Colley. Limited edition, autographed twice. 245 pp.
Start Price : 15.00 | Estimates : 30.00 - 60.00
Inyo County,CA - 1928 - Champion Mining Company Stock Certificate :3197Inyo County,CA - 1928 - Champion Mining Company Stock Certificate :
Dates May 16, 1928. Incorporated Under the laws of Nevada. Issued to D.J. Lyons for one thousand shares. Uncancelled. Signed by assistant secretary,
Start Price : 38.00 | Estimates : 75.00 - 100.00
Inyo County,CA - 1905 - Keane Wonder Mines Deed :3198Inyo County,CA - 1905 - Keane Wonder Mines Deed :
South Bullfrog Mining District. A carbon copy agreement, unsigned and undated, between John Keane and Domingo Etcherran of California and E.H. Wedekin
Start Price : 25.00 | Estimates : 50.00 - 75.00
Sold for (80.00 + 14.00) x 1 = 94.00
Jackson,CA - Amador County - 1961 - Native American Trade Beads :3199Jackson,CA - Amador County - 1961 - Native American Trade Beads :
Two strands of a Native American trade beads from Jackson, California and the Oklahoma pan handle. Beads such as the darker strands were used by the A
Start Price : 25.00 | Estimates : 50.00 - 100.00
Sold for (75.00 + 13.13) x 1 = 88.13
Keeler,CA - Inyo County - c. 1945 - Santa Rosa Mining Company Documents :3200Keeler,CA - Inyo County - c. 1945 - Santa Rosa Mining Company Documents :
Lot of 12 assorted financial documents from the Santa Rosa Mining Company. These documents include inventories, balance sheets, liabilities and assets
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimates : 100.00 - 200.00
Kings Canyon,CA - Fresno County - Igneous and Metamorphic Rocks of Sequoia… :3201Kings Canyon,CA - Fresno County - Igneous and Metamorphic Rocks of Sequoia… :
By Ross, Donald C., 1958. California Division of Mines, Special Report 53, softcovered, 24 pages with many photographs, illustrations, maps, and a lar
Start Price : 10.00 | Estimates : 20.00 - 30.00
Lone Pine,CA - Inyo County - 1954 - Owens Valley Photographs :3202Lone Pine,CA - Inyo County - 1954 - Owens Valley Photographs :
Lot of nine, 9" x 11” photographs that have been removed from an album. Most are dated and identified. Some captions are: Lone Pine Peaks and ...
Start Price : 125.00 | Estimates : 250.00 - 400.00
Long Beach,CA - Los Angeles County - Mar. 10, 1933 - Pacific Avenue Photograph :3203Long Beach,CA - Los Angeles County - Mar. 10, 1933 - Pacific Avenue Photograph :
This unmounted Associated Press photo shows Pacific Avenue after an earthquake shook Southern CA in March, 1933. However, this 8 1/2" by 6&quo...
Start Price : 38.00 | Estimates : 75.00 - 100.00
Sold for (38.00 + 6.65) x 1 = 44.65
Los Angeles,CA - 1930-1950 - Banking Books :3204Los Angeles,CA - 1930-1950 - Banking Books :
Lot of seven items. All items are personal accounting books owned by Mr. and Mrs. A.H. Schmidtmann. The books are issued by the Farmers and Merchants
Start Price : 38.00 | Estimates : 75.00 - 100.00
Sold for (50.00 + 8.75) x 1 = 58.75
Los Angeles,CA - c1900 - Burdette, Robert J. Musings :3205Los Angeles,CA - c1900 - Burdette, Robert J. Musings :
Lot of two large cards, each with a different advice for living, titled, “Keep Sweet and Keep Movin’” and “God’s Days and Mine.” Each printed story ha
Start Price : 25.00 | Estimates : 50.00 - 100.00
Los Angeles,CA - c1922 - Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Construction Photograph :3206Los Angeles,CA - c1922 - Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Construction Photograph :
A view of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum while under construction, particularly one of the double peristyle arches at the east end of the venue. Th
Start Price : 38.00 | Estimates : 75.00 - 150.00
Martinez,CA - Contra Costa County - pre 1906 - Grotto in the Garden of the Villa de la Salle Photogr3207Martinez,CA - Contra Costa County - pre 1906 - Grotto in the Garden of the Villa de la Salle Photogr
This interesting photo is a large format image of a grotto in a garden at the Villa de la Salle. Most noticeable is a dog standing in the cavern entr
Start Price : 75.00 | Estimates : 150.00 - 250.00