"Christmas Chronicles", 2023 December Live Auction

Auction CurrencyUSD Auction Location3555 Airway Drive Suite 308, Reno, Nevada, 89511, United States In Person PreviewPreview

Auction Details

Christmas is coming early to our Collectors this year! Welcome to our Holabird's 2023 Christmas Chronicles, our biggest sale of the year!


The Christmas Chronicles December Auction is our Grand Finale of 2023 and we've included every collecting category as a Christmas Thank-You for our valued customers.

December is loaded with BRAND NEW ITEMS featuring collectibles from the Robert Coelln Western Collection, The Jan Garvis Mining Collection, The Franklin Collection, The Herzog Collection, The Chunlin Zhu Natural Wonders Collection, The Gary Bracken General Store Collection, plus many others!
No matter what you collect we encourage you to browse the entire online catalog for the DECEMBER LIVE AUCTION as hidden rarities are scattered throughout the sale! While our December's Sale includes an incredible selection of RARE Antique Photographs, you will also find photographs peppered in almost every other section, like the never-before-offered original, antique photograph of Doc Holiday and Big-Nose Kate you will find listed in our Cowboy section!
We've worked hard this fall to clear out our warehouses and list another big group of MINERAL DISPLAY SPECIMENS from the Chunlin Zhu Collection! Many of you have purchased massive specimens from this collection for incredible prices and dealers have made huge profits in this category since our premier sale over a year ago. We are proud to offer another BRAND-NEW GROUP of spectacular display specimens, as we are reaching the last of the Chinese pieces. This may be one of your last chances to purchase pieces like this well below wholesale -- just in time for the 2024 Tucson Gem and Mineral Show! We recommend pick-up for the larger pieces as shipping prices on some of these rocks are restrictive but this has offered an unbelievable opportunity for nearby customers willing to make a trip to Reno. And while you are in the neighborhood, don't miss the General Store items from Bracken, another collection that is coming to a close. For Dealers who enjoy a winter vacation in Reno/Tahoe, picking up from our year-end sale will definitely give you a leg up on your 2024 profit margin!
If you aren't within driving distance of Reno, no worries! December has an incredible variety of ephemera, coins, jewelry, and other easy-to-ship items for you to cross off your wish list this Christmas and if you won in our Black Friday Weekend Timed auction and your shipment did not go out early, we will combine your items and ship both orders together to save you money on your shipping invoice.

Thank you and happy bidding!

Day 1
Art (1000-1051)
Photography (1052-1138)
Native American Art (1139-1162)
Imported Collectibles (1163-1201)
Home (1202-1215)
Souvenir Plates (1216-1225)
Silverware (1226-1230)
Jewelry (1231-1241)
Native American Artifacts (1242-1392)
Maps (1393-1418)
Books (1419-1535)
Entertainment (1536-1551)
Musical Instruments (1552-1555)


Day 2
Minerals (2000-2052)
Mining (2053-2400)
Cowboy (2401-2438)
Tobacciana (2439-2452)
Bottles (2453-2476)
Saloon (2477-2492)
Gaming (2493-2501)
Firearms-Weapons (2501-2509)
Military (2510-2552)
Political (2553-2587)

Day 3
Sports (3000-3009)
Tokens (3010-3023)
Badges (3024-3037)
Numismatics (3038-3181)
Coins (3039-3056)
Currency (3057-3083)
Ephemera (3084-3112)
Ingots (3113-3149)
Exonumia & Medals (3150-3182)
SS Central America (3183-3213)
Transportation (3214-3300)
General Collectibles (3301-3332)
Tools (3333-3334)
General Store (3335-3411)
Ephemera,
Geographically Sorted (3412-3593)

Day 4
Stocks & Bonds (4000-4429)
Including mining, railroad, etc
Philatelic - Postal History (4430-4465)
Postcards (4466-4486)
Stamps – USA (4487-4521)
Stamps – Worldwide (4522-4528)
Wells Fargo & Express (4529-4576)
Firefighting Memorabilia (4577-4579)
Fraternal Organizations (4580-4582)

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 the auction ends.

Choose Your Layout > Switch to Grid View Switch to List View
U. S. Stampless Postal Cover Grass Valley    [171109]4450U. S. Stampless Postal Cover Grass Valley [171109]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
U.S. stampless cover with "10" in upper right and and "Grass Valley / Jul / 28/ Cal" upper left. Addressed to Mr. Seth Scott, Fr...
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Nevada County Postal History Collection, 25    [171468]4451Nevada County Postal History Collection, 25 [171468]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
25 postal history mostly covers from Nevada County, c. 1879-1914. Forrest, Nevada City, North Bloomfield, Yuba City, Sweetland, Patterson, Alleghany,
Start Price : 200.00 | Estimate : 400.00 - 800.00
Nortonville Contra Costa Ephemera (4)  18702-1890s  [173160]4452Nortonville Contra Costa Ephemera (4) 18702-1890s [173160]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Two letters and two covers sent from the one time mining town of Nortonville in Contra Costa County, California; In 1885 the Black Diamond Coal Minin
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to C*****r for 343.75
Covers Stamped By J. Bamber & Company  1861  [173142]4453Covers Stamped By J. Bamber & Company 1861 [173142]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Two Covers from J. Bamber & Co., Independent Carriers - Express Companies, PAID, Contra Costa Express ca 1861 Oval h/s on stationary entire, So...
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold to s********1 for 187.50
Traver Tulare County Postal Cover  1898  [171099]4454Traver Tulare County Postal Cover 1898 [171099]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
U. S. two cent entire postal cover with Traver, Tulare County cancel. Dated Feb. 10, 1898 with bullseye cancel. Addressed to Geo. W. Stewart, Visalia.
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Montana Checks & Covers Group    [164078]4455Montana Checks & Covers Group [164078]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 30. 1) Covers: Montana Mercantile Co., Dillon, 1897; Montana Liquid Gas Company, Billings, gas tank vignette; FJ Nichols, Havre, 1934; AM Holte
Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold to O*********n for 68.75
Early Nevada Postal Covers    [171666]4456Early Nevada Postal Covers [171666]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of three postal covers: 1) Uncancelled three cent embossed envelope (U2?) from Wells, Fargo & Co. Carson City to the secretary of The Mexica...
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold to t*******d for 150.00
Nevada Postal Covers (27)  1900s  [172973]4457Nevada Postal Covers (27) 1900s [172973]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Several covers from various points in Nevada, including Goldfield, Tonopah and current ghost towns Simon, Belleville and Mt Montgomery, Remember, whe
Start Price : 200.00 | Estimate : 400.00 - 800.00
New Mexico Covers & Letters (16)  1800s  [170693]4458New Mexico Covers & Letters (16) 1800s [170693]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A group of 16 letters and covers from New Mexico. There are early La Junta & Albuquerque RPO's, an AT&SF RR cover for Las Vegas, NM, an ...
Start Price : 120.00 | Estimate : 240.00 - 500.00
Facsimile Postal Cover, 1894  [171104]4459Facsimile Postal Cover, 1894 [171104]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Unique! Invitation to the San Francisco and Oakland Post Office Clerks' Association Christmas Ball at the Odd Fellows Hall, as facsimile cover. ...
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Illustrated Covers with Building Vignettes  1884-1912  [164074]4460Illustrated Covers with Building Vignettes 1884-1912 [164074]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 10, most different. No contents. Includes: JR Megrue & Co. (Cincinnati, 1885); Cunninghams & Co. (Pittsburgh, 1884); Cataract House (...
Estimate : 100.00 - 120.00
Sold to S*******3 for 62.50
Illustrated Food Postal Covers    [164067]4461Illustrated Food Postal Covers [164067]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 6 different, all pictorial. Includes: Dr. Hess & Clark (Ashland, Ohio, 1914); Big Four Coffee (Detroit, 1914); Wilbur Stock Food Co. (two...
Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold to O*********n for 68.75
Pictorial US Cover Collection    [164065]4462Pictorial US Cover Collection [164065]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 19. One has contents. All are pictorial. Nearly all different! Includes: John Naylon & Co. Saddlery (Detroit, 1883, with letter); CC Post...
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to e*****2 for 150.00
Postal Cover to Master W. T. Sherman April, 1862    [150524]4463Postal Cover to Master W. T. Sherman April, 1862 [150524]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This postal cover hand written by Genl. William Tecumseh Sherman to his eight year old son Master William T. Sherman Jr. just prior to his ninth birth
Start Price : 500.00 | Estimate : 1,000.00 - 1,200.00
US Stamp Collection c. 1920 and Newer    [164212]4464US Stamp Collection c. 1920 and Newer [164212]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
US stamp collection. Includes regular series c. 1920 thru commemoratives, $3 Scott 423 canceled, several blocks including 651 plate block. A171 color
Estimate : 400.00 - 800.00
Sold to c********e for 200.00
Letter Sheet to Amsterdam  1858  [162326]4465Letter Sheet to Amsterdam 1858 [162326]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Netherlands 1858 lettersheet to Amsterdam franked with 1852 10c (#2, striking top margin copy, just touching at right, otherwise huge margins showing
Estimate : 300.00 - 600.00
Sold to 8********l.. for 50.00
Main Street Bodie Real Photo Postcard    [175815]4466Main Street Bodie Real Photo Postcard [175815]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Real photo postcard, white border, created by Frashers Foto of Pomona. No cars, horses, people or wildlife: looks like a ghost town. Bodie Californi
Estimate : 70.00 - 100.00
Sold to a********x.. for 200.00
Dunsmuir Calif. Real Photo Post Cards  1915-55  [166411]4467Dunsmuir Calif. Real Photo Post Cards 1915-55 [166411]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 36. Postmarks: Red Bluff, Dunsmuir, Martinez . Street Level view ; RR turn table, Shasta Springs Fountain, Lodge, downtown street scene dif
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold to t*****N for 187.50
Martinez California Postcards (16)  1900s  [173144]4468Martinez California Postcards (16) 1900s [173144]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
An assortment of Martinez, California postcards (16). Included a birds eye views of the city that gave baseball fans Joe DiMaggio. Also included are
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Mount Lassen National Park Postcards (55)    [173938]4469Mount Lassen National Park Postcards (55) [173938]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 55 postcards, including 47 RPPC (mostly white border) of Mt. Lassen and Lassen Volcanic National Park. Other cards include 4 hand-colored. Most
Estimate : 160.00 - 400.00
Sold to 8********l.. for 93.75
Joaquin Miller Postcard Group (9)  1889  [172963]4470Joaquin Miller Postcard Group (9) 1889 [172963]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Joaquin Miller postcard group (9). Miller, known as "The Poet of the Sierra" died in 1913 in Oakland, California. These postcards were pub...
Start Price : 35.00 | Estimate : 70.00 - 100.00
Placerville Post Cards, 1911-39  1911-39  [173797]4471Placerville Post Cards, 1911-39 1911-39 [173797]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
15x Placerville Birdseye View, Color & Real Shot Post Cards, Color / B&W /Amber , some white borders, many pre 1915 RPC’s. Divided a...
Estimate : 300.00 - 600.00
Sold to b*******n for 150.00
Postcard Collection: San Francisco Hotels    [173936]4472Postcard Collection: San Francisco Hotels [173936]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of about 300 vintage postcards of San Francisco hotels. Sir Francis Drake, The Yosemite, Manx Hotel, Clift Hotel, Palace Hotel and many more. San
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold to T********r for 212.50
Tahoe Area Vintage Postcards, some rare    [173897]4473Tahoe Area Vintage Postcards, some rare [173897]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1) 8x Donner Lake Area Postcards; 8 cards, 7 are rpcs, classic as well as unusual views 2) 6x Webber Lake Area Postcard; 3x Webber Lake printed, 1x Go
Estimate : 300.00 - 400.00
Sold to l********7 for 75.00
Bay Area Counties Post Cards And Ephemera  1904-49  [173414]4474Bay Area Counties Post Cards And Ephemera 1904-49 [173414]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot od approx. 95. San Francisco, Santa Clara, Alameda, Marin, Napa and Contra costa counties. Mix of RPC's some amber, borderless and wht. b...
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold to t*****N for 187.50
Calif. Coastal Towns Post Cards.  1906-  [172164]4475Calif. Coastal Towns Post Cards. 1906- [172164]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 75. 1. One pre-split imprinted 1 cent. Nine RPC's. Postmarks : Dimond Ca., Klamath Falls Ore.,Point Rena Ca., San Ysidro, Long Beach...
Estimate : 250.00 - 300.00
Sold to T********r for 125.00
Lower Shasta Cascades Counties Calif Post Cards  1909-74  [173415]4476Lower Shasta Cascades Counties Calif Post Cards 1909-74 [173415]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 52. Colusa, Glenn, Tehema, Lake, Mendocino Counties. RPC's, few amber, wht. border and borderless, two pre-split cards. Postmark i.e...
Estimate : 160.00 - 200.00
Sold to D****7 for 100.00
Mountainous & Scenic Postcards (24)    [173478]4477Mountainous & Scenic Postcards (24) [173478]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Collection of Early Postcards of S.P.'s Two Mountainous & Scenic Routes thru Northern California (24). The Sierra-Nevada Mtn's. Route, a...
Estimate : 70.00 - 140.00
Sold to t********f for 43.75
Sacramento Valley-Gold Country Post Cards  1905-52  [173417]4478Sacramento Valley-Gold Country Post Cards 1905-52 [173417]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 100. Yuba, Yolo, Sutter, San Joaquin, Sacramento, El Dorado Counties. RPC's.one pioneer and two pre-split cards. Camp Beale Calif col...
Estimate : 300.00 - 450.00
Sold to T********r for 375.00
Early Real Photo Postcard Trio from Rawhide    [173831]4479Early Real Photo Postcard Trio from Rawhide [173831]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Three early postcards include Balloon Hill, Oma of Rawhide, and Hooligan Hill. Rawhide Nevada
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold to p********n for 312.50
Rhyolite, Nevada Postcards (2)  1920s  [172962]4480Rhyolite, Nevada Postcards (2) 1920s [172962]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A pair of postcards, one a Frasher, of the Nevada ghost town Rhyolite. Neither has been used or postmarked. Please see photos for more details. Rhyol
Start Price : 25.00 | Estimate : 50.00 - 60.00
California, Oregon & Washington Lumber Mill Postcards (30)    [173483]4481California, Oregon & Washington Lumber Mill Postcards (30) [173483]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
All Real Photo~ California (10), Oregon (10), Washington (10) No Duplicates~ 1910-1941
Estimate : 250.00 - 500.00
Sold to t*****N for 468.75
Mixed Bag of Western States, Railroad Related Post Cards (33)    [173479]4482Mixed Bag of Western States, Railroad Related Post Cards (33) [173479]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Stations (18), Yards (2), Shops (6), Bridges (8) ~ All in Color No Duplicates~ 1907-1960's
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to D*****6 for 87.50
U.S. Early Thanksgiving Postcards (30)    [173480]4483U.S. Early Thanksgiving Postcards (30) [173480]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
All Cards Embossed and in color~ No Dups. ~ 1907-1911
Estimate : 70.00 - 140.00
Sold to t********f for 62.50
U.S. Eastern States Early Train Stations Postcards (30)    [173477]4484U.S. Eastern States Early Train Stations Postcards (30) [173477]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Pennsylvania (14), Massachusetts (8), New York (6), VT (2) All in color~ No Duplicates~ 1906-1916
Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
Sold to b********t.. for 75.00
Western States Logging Trains & Steam Equipment Postcards (25)    [173482]4485Western States Logging Trains & Steam Equipment Postcards (25) [173482]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
All Real Photo~ No Duplicates~ 1907-1921
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to 8********l.. for 406.25
Western States Lumber Mill Postcards, in Color & B & W (30)    [173481]4486Western States Lumber Mill Postcards, in Color & B & W (30) [173481]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
California: 6 color & 4 B & W ~ Oregon: 6 color & 4 B & W Washington: 7 color & 3 B & W ~ No dup's ~ 1908-1916
Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
Sold to t*****N for 281.25
Bodie Checks, 8, 5 RNG's    [173364]4487Bodie Checks, 8, 5 RNG's [173364]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
8 Bodie checks, c. 1878-82. 5 have RNG's. Bodie California Franklin Collection
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold to y*****5 for 237.50
Tallant&Co Banker, 1st Exch. cert, Wrong Tax Stamp, Rare.     [175861]4488Tallant&Co Banker, 1st Exch. cert, Wrong Tax Stamp, Rare. [175861]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Tallant & Company, Banker First of Exchange cert. No. 4306, duplicate, issued June 8, 1866 for $1125.00 to Messrs(?) Wotherspoon Bros(?). Stampe...
Estimate : 260.00 - 400.00
Sold to e******n for 162.50
D. O. Mills 1863 Bank Check with Adhesive Revenue    [171089]4489D. O. Mills 1863 Bank Check with Adhesive Revenue [171089]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Sacramento, August 1863 second of exchange payable to John Darlington four hundred dollars in gold coin signed by Darius Ogden Mills. With two shippin
Estimate : 600.00 - 800.00
Sold to b*********r for 244.00
Imprinted California Insurance Stamps on Policies, 2    [172762]4490Imprinted California Insurance Stamps on Policies, 2 [172762]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Imprinted California $1 and $2 stamps on 2 1862 insurance policies. Policies issued to Rosseter, a freight and warehouse business in La Porte. Calif
Estimate : 200.00 - 500.00
Sold to f*****E for 100.00
Kountze Brother Overprint Check with Adhesive Revenue, Very Rare    [172419]4491Kountze Brother Overprint Check with Adhesive Revenue, Very Rare [172419]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Very rare 1864 Kountze Brother Central City, Colorado overprint with steamer vignette on check. This was a key NY bank that financed western mines esp
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to f*****E for 125.00
Hawaii Stamp Group 1871-1899    [171476]4492Hawaii Stamp Group 1871-1899 [171476]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Hawaii stamp assortment 1871-1899: mint and used group of 34 all different on black stock page, F-VF. Hawaii
Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
Sold to j*****d for 687.50
Bank of California Comstock Check Trio    [173365]4493Bank of California Comstock Check Trio [173365]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
3 Comstock Bank of California checks. 1866 Virginia, $1000 in gold coin, Nevada revenue stamp. 1867 Gold Hill with US and Nevada revenue stamps. 1871
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold to S********e for 343.75
South Carolina Liquor Tax Stamp Sheet Set    [167584]4494South Carolina Liquor Tax Stamp Sheet Set [167584]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 3 different sheets with of 100 stamps each, 3 different denominations: 17 cent (green), 34 cent (red), and 68 cent (blue). Printed by American
Start Price : 80.00 | Estimate : 160.00 - 250.00
Christmas Seal Stamp Archive, 1932-2001    [164999]4495Christmas Seal Stamp Archive, 1932-2001 [164999]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Sheets of Christmas Seals in 2 albums, 1932-2001. Collection not totally complete but well represented.
Estimate : 500.00 - 2,000.00
Sold to j*****d for 187.50
Columbian Exposition Stamp Set  1893  [171473]4496Columbian Exposition Stamp Set 1893 [171473]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
U.S. 1893 Columbian Stamp Group, mint assortment including Scott #230 block of four never hinged, Scott #231 never hinged plus three O.G.(original gum
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to d*******f for 187.50
Columbian Exposition Stamp Set  1893  [171472]4497Columbian Exposition Stamp Set 1893 [171472]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
U. S. stamps: 1893 Columbian Stamp set 1-50 cent mint Scott #230-240. Plus 2c "broken hat" variety Scott #231c. 1,2,3 & 15 cent are ne...
Estimate : 400.00 - 500.00
Sold to d*******f for 312.50
Duck Stamps 1934-1977 Signed (54)   [170789]4498Duck Stamps 1934-1977 Signed (54) [170789]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Duck Stamp collection from the U.S. Department of the Interior, starting in 1934 (The first year of issue) to 1977. Most all of the stamps are signed
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 1,500.00
Sold to 8********l.. for 200.00
Group of Scott 183 2C Vermilion Lincoln Stamps    [167920]4499Group of Scott 183 2C Vermilion Lincoln Stamps [167920]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 67 used Scott 183 2c vermilion Lincoln stamps. A variety of different cancels and varying condition and centering. Book value is $335.
Start Price : 120.00 | Estimate : 240.00 - 400.00