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
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Left Hook Custom Miners' Candlestick1201 - Left Hook Custom Miners' Candlestick
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A left hook miners' candlestick with custom features. It has a serrated/sawtooth edge on top of the adjustable thimble and a custom twist in th...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to p******1 for (65.00 + 15.60BP) = 80.60
 
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Two Left Hook Miners' Candlesticks1202 - Two Left Hook Miners' Candlesticks
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Two left hook miners' candlesticks, both unwelded at the handle neck. One has a tall, thin handle and a tall thimble, while the other has a mor...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
Sold to m********1 for (60.00 + 14.40BP) = 74.40
 
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Three Teardrop Miners' Candlesticks1203 - Three Teardrop Miners' Candlesticks
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Three right hook miners' candlesticks with tear drop shaped handles (approx 2 inch diameter on all). One has an unusual tall, thin spike whil...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to 8***1 for (90.00 + 18.90BP) = 108.90
 
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Two Nearly Identical Miners' Candlesticks1204 - Two Nearly Identical Miners' Candlesticks
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Two right hook miners' candlesticks with identical thimbles. Likely made by the same manufacturer. Both have braised handle necks and thin, l...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to c*********p for (120.00 + 28.80BP) = 148.80
 
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Three Different Sized Miners' Candlesticks1205 - Three Different Sized Miners' Candlesticks
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Three different sized right hook miners' candlesticks. Unique open handle design on all (2.5-4 inches from thimble to end of handle), possibly ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to p******1 for (70.00 + 16.80BP) = 86.80
 
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Unique Riveted Miners' Candlestick1206 - Unique Riveted Miners' Candlestick
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A unique miners' candlestick with rivets on thimble side at handle neck. Tall, rectangular shaped hook and thin, teardrop handle (2.5 inches in...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 80.00 - 100.00
Sold to 8***1 for (50.00 + 10.50BP) = 60.50
 
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Five Similar Miners' Candlesticks1207 - Five Similar Miners' Candlesticks
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Five similar right hook miners' candlesticks with thin, teardrop handles (approx. 3 inch diameter). Similar handles, thimbles, and spikes sugge...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 600.00
Sold to m********1 for (140.00 + 33.60BP) = 173.60
 
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Collection of Miners' Candlesticks with Candle Support1208 - Collection of Miners' Candlesticks with Candle Support
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A study collection of seven different right hook miners' candlesticks. These all have candle support , but beyond this there are a wide variety...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 350.00 - 700.00
Sold to s*********1 for (225.00 + 47.25BP) = 272.25
 
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Three Left Hook Miners' Candlesticks1209 - Three Left Hook Miners' Candlesticks
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Three left hook miners' candlesticks. All have round handles (between 1.5 and 2 inches in diameter) and different styles of hooks. None have a...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 250.00
Sold to 8***1 for (110.00 + 23.10BP) = 133.10
 
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Four Unmarked Miners' Candlesticks1210 - Four Unmarked Miners' Candlesticks
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Four different right hook miners' candlesticks without any markings linking to a manufacturer. Three have a teardrop handle (approx 3 inch diam...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to 8***1 for (130.00 + 27.30BP) = 157.30
 
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Two Miners' Candlesticks1211 - Two Miners' Candlesticks
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Two left hook miners' candlesticks one braised at handle neck and one not. Both have a teardrop handle (3 inch diameters), with one small hook ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
Sold to c*********p for (75.00 + 18.00BP) = 93.00
 
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Rare "ARGAUNAUT" Miners' Candlestick1212 - Rare "ARGAUNAUT" Miners' Candlestick
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Made by the Ludlow-Saylor Wire Company, this stick is unique because it is the same design as the #40 in Wilson-Bobrink but stamped with "ARGAU...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to 8***1 for (200.00 + 42.00BP) = 242.00
 
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Two Marked Bonanza Miner's Candlesticks1213 - Two Marked Bonanza Miner's Candlesticks
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Both are marked on the top of the spike. The Bonanza example in Wilson and Bobick show the stamp on the side. The show a rarity as two known. Both exa
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
Sold to 8***1 for (90.00 + 18.90BP) = 108.90
 
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Unmarked Varney and Bonanza candlesticks1214 - Unmarked Varney and Bonanza candlesticks
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Unmarked Varney and marked Bonanza candlesticks. Varney is 12" and Bonanza is 10 1/4". Wilson-Bobrink 52. State: City: Date: ID#45...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to 8***1 for (70.00 + 14.70BP) = 84.70
 
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Varney BONANZA Miners' Candlestick1215 - Varney BONANZA Miners' Candlestick
Holabird Western Americana Collections
The "BONANZA" stamped Varney is one of the more common band name miners' candlesticks. The stamp is featured on the top face of the sp...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to t********n.. for (50.00 + 10.50BP) = 60.50
 
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"BONANZA" Miners' Candlestick1216 - "BONANZA" Miners' Candlestick
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Believed to have originated from the Virginia City Area, this stick is based of the "COMSTOCK" model featured in Wilson, Bobrink. Stamped ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to l******8 for (120.00 + 25.20BP) = 145.20
 
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Varney "BONANZA" Miners' Candlestick1217 - Varney "BONANZA" Miners' Candlestick
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Stamped with "BONANZA" on the top face of the spike and measuring 12" inches long, this one-piece steel design Varney was one of the ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 70.00 - 120.00
Sold to 8***1 for (50.00 + 10.50BP) = 60.50
 
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Left Hook "BONANZA" Miners' Candlestick1218 - Left Hook "BONANZA" Miners' Candlestick
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Unlisted variety of the stamped "BONANZA" stick. One-piece steel with stamp featured on the side of the spike. No wide ridge center. Alth...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 600.00
Sold to s*********1 for (160.00 + 33.60BP) = 193.60
 
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California Miner's Candlestick with Original Manufacures Black1219 - California Miner's Candlestick with Original Manufacures Black
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Strong California strike on the top of the stock. This stick was made by the Ludlow-Saylor Wire Company of St. Louis. Next to Varney it was the larges
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 250.00
Sold to k**********y for (200.00 + 42.00BP) = 242.00
 
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Calumet Miners' Candlestick1220 - Calumet Miners' Candlestick
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Constructed from cast steel, with the thimble brazed into slot. The word "CALUMET" is stamped on the top face of the spike. 8.75" inc...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 600.00
Sold to j*****r for (190.00 + 45.60BP) = 235.60
 
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