"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.

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McAllisters Express Line Ledger Book    [172818]4550 - McAllisters Express Line Ledger Book [172818]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
McAllisters written over crossed out C H Buford's Express Line ledger book, c. 1900's to January 1906. Possibly in Virginia City, MT, base o...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold to Y******o for (150.00 + 37.50BP) = 187.50
 
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Wells, Fargo & Co. Postal Cover    [171101]4551 - Wells, Fargo & Co. Postal Cover [171101]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Wells Fargo & Co. Scott U18 three cent entire Express cover with Carlin, Nevada cancel. Addressed to Virginia City, Nevada. Carlin Nevada
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
 
 
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Wells Fargo & Co. Postal Cover    [171100]4552 - Wells Fargo & Co. Postal Cover [171100]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Wells Fargo & Co. Scott U10 three cent entire Express cover with Carson City cancel. Addressed to Mr. Riley, San Francisco. Carson City Nevada
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
 
 
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Wells Fargo Express Receipts, Scarce    [175737]4553 - Wells Fargo Express Receipts, Scarce [175737]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Scarce group of 9 Wells Fargo receipts c. 1896-1903. Receipts for gold coin and gold and silver bars sent to Bullion Exchange Bank in Carson or the sa
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 500.00
 
 
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Wells Fargo First of Exchange, 1872    [173371]4554 - Wells Fargo First of Exchange, 1872 [173371]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1872 Wells Fargo First of Exchange, dateline Carson City. Pay to the order of H F Rice, Agent, Boston Mass., $60 in gold. Orange adhesive revenue in u
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 200.00 | Estimate : 400.00 - 1,000.00
 
 
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Wells Fargo Comstock Checks, 3    [173363]4555 - Wells Fargo Comstock Checks, 3 [173363]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
3 Wells Fargo checks from the Comstock Vicinity. Very rare 1872 datelined Carson City, First of Exchange, issued to H F Rice, Wells Fargo agent in Car
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 750.00 | Estimate : 1,500.00 - 2,500.00
 
 
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Wells Fargo First of Exchange with RNF1, 1876    [173370]4556 - Wells Fargo First of Exchange with RNF1, 1876 [173370]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1876 Wells Fargo & Co. First of Exchange with imprinted RNF1. Issued to CC Pendergast , Agent, $781.71 in gold on front. Pay to the order of Alb...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 500.00 | Estimate : 1,000.00 - 2,000.00
 
 
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Wells, Fargo & Co. Portland, 2nd Exchanges, 1860/62    [175935]4557 - Wells, Fargo & Co. Portland, 2nd Exchanges, 1860/62 [175935]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
2x Wells, Fargo & Co. Portland (OR) Exchange Notes, Second of Exchanges. This was the only Well, Fargo & Co. Office, that acted as an Assay ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 200.00 | Estimate : 400.00 - 500.00
 
 
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Wells, Fargo & Co. Rare First of Exchange Note, 1869    [175927]4558 - Wells, Fargo & Co. Rare First of Exchange Note, 1869 [175927]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Wells, Fargo & Co. Exchange Note, First of Exchange # 2160, issued to Pomeroy & Co. for $500 on Jan 20, 1869 in Salt Lake City, UT. Signed ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to f*****E for (100.00 + 25.00BP) = 125.00
 
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Wells, Fargo & Co. Second of Exchange, Iowa Hill, Gold Rush Era  1855  [155337]4559 - Wells, Fargo & Co. Second of Exchange, Iowa Hill, Gold Rush Era 1855 [155337]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Extremely rare Gold Rush location. Dateline Iowa Hill, Cal., Dec. 2nd, 1855. No. 41.302, issued to TB Hotchkiss at the office of the American Express
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 250.00 | Estimate : 500.00 - 1,000.00
 
 
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Wells Fargo & Co. Second of Exchange w/ CA Revenue Stamp  1865  [170667]4560 - Wells Fargo & Co. Second of Exchange w/ CA Revenue Stamp 1865 [170667]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Very rare framed 1865 Wells Fargo & Co. Second of Exchange. Red California State Tax stamp, Exchange Second. $75, issued to John Conly & Co....
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 200.00 | Estimate : 400.00 - 800.00
 
 
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Adams & Co. Second of Exchange  1853  [171108]4561 - Adams & Co. Second of Exchange 1853 [171108]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Vignettes of ladies on the left and miners in the center on this 1853 Second of Exchange from Adams & Co. Express Office of San Francisco, for ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to 8*****M for (55.00 + 13.75BP) = 68.75
 
Details...Bookmark
Wells Fargo & Co. Exchange Note Collection    [160162]4562 - Wells Fargo & Co. Exchange Note Collection [160162]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Collection of seven Wells Fargo & Co. exchange notes from California Gold Rush towns. These towns include Yankee Jims (1853), Oroville (1857), M...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 500.00 | Estimate : 1,000.00 - 2,000.00
 
 
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Express Line Log Books, 2    [167841]4563 - Express Line Log Books, 2 [167841]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
2 Express Line log books c. 1911-12, possibly from Alder Gulch, MT. Has listing for W A Clark bars of bullion. 8.75x14.25". Montana
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 600.00
Sold to Y******o for (150.00 + 37.50BP) = 187.50
 
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United States Express Enamel Sign    [156227]4564 - United States Express Enamel Sign [156227]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Cobalt single sided enamel sign. United States Express/Money Orders/For Sale Here. Date unknown. Partial maker on bottom, 13???29 Arch St, Phila. &...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 1,200.00
Sold to S*****8 for (300.00 + 75.00BP) = 375.00
 
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Freeman & Co's Express Deposit Receipt, 1851, Rare    [173709]4565 - Freeman & Co's Express Deposit Receipt, 1851, Rare [173709]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Rare 1851 Freeman & Co's Express Office deposit receipt for $1200. Some light brown and ink stains, center crease .25" hole, please ins...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Pony Express War Department Loan Note, "Indian Bond Scandal" Signed by Russel Major & Waddell  18604566 - Pony Express War Department Loan Note, "Indian Bond Scandal" Signed by Russel Major & Waddell 1860
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Extremely rare and very historically important. No. 7. Dateline Washington City, May 9, 1860 (just a month after the first Pony Express trip). $10,000
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 1,500.00 | Estimate : 3,000.00 - 5,000.00
 
 
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Checks, revenue stamps, NV, CA, Chas Vznay    [173948]4567 - Checks, revenue stamps, NV, CA, Chas Vznay [173948]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot(2x) of interesting checks issued out of or to states that were opposite of the revenue. Includes: 1) Donohoe, Kelly & Co., Bankers, check No...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Express Book Library - Lot of Ten.    [157126]4568 - Express Book Library - Lot of Ten. [157126]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Best edition is probably The Overland Express by Rideing. Only 650 copies of this book were ever printed. This is number 514. Also Treasure Express by
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold to p********n for (150.00 + 37.50BP) = 187.50
 
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Checks, Wells Fargo & Co, Bank of La Porte, John Conly    [173944]4569 - Checks, Wells Fargo & Co, Bank of La Porte, John Conly [173944]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot(x4) of paid checks related to the town of LaPorte and famous bank John Conly. Includes: 1) Wells Fargo & Co. bank check No. 242938, dated Fe...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 350.00 | Estimate : 700.00 - 900.00
 
 
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U.S. Wells Fargo Pony Express Stamps    [171471]4570 - U.S. Wells Fargo Pony Express Stamps [171471]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of three Wells Fargo Pony Express Stamps: Scott #143L7, 143L8, 143L9: brown 10c, blue, 25c, red 25c. On March 18, 1852, Wells Fargo & Compa...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
Sold to f********d for (500.00 + 125.00BP) = 625.00
 
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Wells Fargo & Co Express Reverse Glass Framed Commemorative Mirror    [167433]4571 - Wells Fargo & Co Express Reverse Glass Framed Commemorative Mirror [167433]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A commemorative mirror probably made for collectors, possibly in the 1960s. Serial L3310 on the lower right. U.S. Mail Carriers Overland Stage Wells F
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 500.00 - 1,000.00
Sold to y*****5 for (200.00 + 50.00BP) = 250.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Wells Fargo & Co. 1879 Money Package with wax seals  1879  [171106]4572 - Wells Fargo & Co. 1879 Money Package with wax seals 1879 [171106]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Wells, Fargo & Co.'s Express Money Package: "Consignees will please open this package on the END so as to preserve all the SEALS and ob...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to b*******n for (40.00 + 10.00BP) = 50.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Wells Fargo & Co. Unused Cover Collection    [171542]4573 - Wells Fargo & Co. Unused Cover Collection [171542]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
22 Wells Fargo & Co. unused covers. 9x 2c, 11x 3c, 1x 4c, 1x 6c.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to b*******n for (110.00 + 27.50BP) = 137.50
 
Details...Bookmark
Wells Fargo Ephemera, 4    [171128]4574 - Wells Fargo Ephemera, 4 [171128]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
4 pieces of Wells Fargo Ephemera, c. 1869-1915. 1869 Savage Mining, Virginia City, NV receipt for silver bars-right side condition issues. 1881 and 18
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to b*******n for (160.00 + 40.00BP) = 200.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Wells, Fargo & Co's Express Railroad Pass  1895  [171098]4575 - Wells, Fargo & Co's Express Railroad Pass 1895 [171098]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
George J. Ainsworth, director of the Redondo Railway Company, was entitled to free privilege of shipping personal packages on Wells, Fargo & Co...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 400.00
Sold to b*******n for (225.00 + 56.25BP) = 281.25
 
Details...Bookmark
Western Union Telegraph Company Collection  1860s-90s  [166895]4576 - Western Union Telegraph Company Collection 1860s-90s [166895]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 14. Covers many of the mining regions of the West in California, Nevada, and Montana. Some in code (mining stock transactions). Includes: Battl
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (150.00 + 37.50BP) = 187.50
 
Details...Bookmark
Fire Fighting Apparatus Books, Old & New - 7    [163515]4577 - Fire Fighting Apparatus Books, Old & New - 7 [163515]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Books on Fire Fighting Apparatus, Old & New (7). 1) "The Fire Engine", An Illustrated History, by Simon Goodenough, Cartwell Books...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 75.00 | Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
 
 
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Firefighting Books - 8    [163516]4578 - Firefighting Books - 8 [163516]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Books on Firefighting in America (8). 1) "Fire in America", by Paul R. Lyons, published by National Fire Protection Assn., 1st Ed., 19...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 350.00
 
 
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Montana Territory Fire Department Ephemera    [161565]4579 - Montana Territory Fire Department Ephemera [161565]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Fire Record and Water Works Review, February 1886 issue. Published by Fred Miller of New York. Ten pages. 1883 hand written letter from the Eureka Fir
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold to l*******c for (80.00 + 20.00BP) = 100.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Brotherhood of American Yeomen Collection    [157532]4580 - Brotherhood of American Yeomen Collection [157532]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Constitution and By-Laws 1909, 1912, 1913, 1915. Letterhead from head office in Des Moines, Iowa, granting a death claim from 1913. Manual of the Rit
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to g******k for (120.00 + 30.00BP) = 150.00
 
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Diploma of the Oriental Order of the Palm and Shell, 1888    [158028]4581 - Diploma of the Oriental Order of the Palm and Shell, 1888 [158028]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Diploma of the Oriental Order of the Palm and Shell given to Lyman Calder of Utica, Nebraska. Dated June 11, 1888. This diploma is written in Hebrew,
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 250.00 - 800.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (250.00 + 62.50BP) = 312.50
 
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Freemason's Chart for the Entered Apprentice Degree  c.1890's    [161115]4582 - Freemason's Chart for the Entered Apprentice Degree c.1890's [161115]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This is chart teaching tool for the Freemasons' "Entered Apprentice"; the First Degree of Freemasonry. All of the tools are here; the ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 800.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (200.00 + 50.00BP) = 250.00
 
Details...Bookmark