Gold Rush Auction

Auction Details

Welcome to our Gold Rush sale of 2018!!

The sale features the Al Adams Gold Rush Memorabilia Collection
and a number of other prominent collections.

Mr. Adams has been collecting for over 40 years, and along the way assembled perhaps the best collection in private hands, making this sale a “Once in a Lifetime Event.” His specialty is an area few Americans ever knew about- the Georgia - North Carolina gold rush, c1799-1840’s, literally decades before the California Gold Rush. Just think about some of the great pieces in this collection:

*The first Gold Company stock certificate (1807)

*1830 Letter from Georgia Bank to US Mint asking what to do with the gold coming in

*Gold Lottery Tickets for Georgia land

*Gold Lot Deeds with Medals rarely seen by collectors

*Pigeon Roost Mining Co. scrip collection (1835-1838), possibly the finest assembled

*Belfast Mining Co. scrip collection (1830’s), finest assembled

*Dahlonega, Charlotte, San Francisco, Carson City, Denver, New Orleans, Philadelphia Mint gold bullion receipts

*Gold Rush era private assayer bullion receipts from California, Nevada, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Arizona

*1840’s, 1850’s and 1860’s mining company stock certificates from both the east (Appalachian gold belt) and the West (California, Nevada, Colorado) – the best offering to date.

*Over two dozen different Nevada territorial stock certificates.

These tidbits are part of this unique sale, which makes it the best offering of its kind in history.

The Gold Rush sale is nothing short of phenomenal.

The Gold Rush Setting

Here is the setting under which the gold discoveries in Georgia and North Carolina were made:

…Imagine a world before the civil war, before the gold rush, right after the United States was formed. We had just created our first coinage in the early to mid 1790’s. As a country, we had just 16 states by 1800, which crept up to 24 states by 1821 and remained there for 15 years! Development of the areas south and west of and in the original 13 states was slow. It was called the “western frontier”. The “America” then consisted of Native Americans and expats from western Europe looking for a better life. Most were farmers or merchants. The “scientists” of the western world remained in western Europe. Mankind dint know much about geology- indeed, the first geologic map was printed in Europe in 1799, and it would take another 25-30 years before we had anything similar in America. The science of ore deposits was not well understood, and was only just recently out from under the mystique of Alchemy.

Enter the discovery of a gold nugget in North Carolina in 1799. It took fully 29 years before substantive gold discoveries were made in Georgia and North Carolina. Here is the amazing part- these discoveries were made from good-old American ingenuity. Not one single miner had an education in mining in Europe. As far as is known, not a single man in the Georgia, North Carolina gold rush had been a miner. These men developed the ability to look for gold and mining systems on their own in the American wilderness, a marvelous feat of accomplishment – a true iconic part of American ingenuity at its best.

More on the Auction

To add to this remarkable collection are hundreds of mining artifacts, including many collected from Georgia mines, as well as a fantastic Numismatic library inclusive of many rarities.

*Other collections featured include the collection of Robert Bennett, a well known mining geologist who spent a good part of his career working the Goldfield district. During his 45-plus year career, he collected high grade ore specimens from many major mines he was lucky enough to work on, and these are dutifully included in this sale, as are gold and fabulous turquoise specimens from longtime collector Jerry Gray of Carson City.

*Our friend Vern Potter, a national ephemera dealer known to all, retired from the business and gave us his massive collection, some of which is here, including gold rush era exchanges, important maps, and special documents you haven’t seen in decades (more in coming sales!). Added to this are pieces from the Ken Prag Collection, which keeps on coming with great rarities!

*Gold rush era coins, such as a complete Hart gold token set, -all graded and holdered; a number of Carson City coins; a fabulous 999 fine golden egg custom made for an Arizona collector in 1982; gold rush era soda bottles in hues of cobalt blue, teal, green from San Francisco, Sacramento and Savannah; Nevada mining camp bottles; Pawnee Bill full color posters – an integral part of Western history all supplement an otherwise terrific sale; and choice western mining photographs.

*Rare books with a mining theme are also present, from several collections, including the Robert Fulton collection (former head of Univ. Nevada, reno in the 1920’s). A key piece from one of the collections is an inscribed Sutro Tunnel book to Melville Atwood from the “Father of Arizona” Charles D. Poston.

*The mining stock certificate collections offered here are among the best ever offered by us. They include four major collections. including the Laguna Collection of rare Arizona stocks, part of a major Bodie collection, antique firearms, and rare Tahoe gaming chips.

*Western revenue checks with a focus on the Comstock Lode

Auction Schedule

Day One (Lots 1000-1755)
Numismatics (1000-1577)
U.S. Mint (1000-1068)
Coins & Coins Collectibles (1069-1208)
Ingots (1209-1215)
Currency, Scrip, & Currency Collectibles (1216-1357)
Checks & Exchanges (1358-1424)
Tokens (1425-1489)
Medals (1490-1553)
Scales (1554-1581)

Wells Fargo & Other Express (1582-1693)
Adams & Co. (1582-1606)
Wells Fargo (1607-1676)
Other Express (1677-1693)

World’s Fair & Expositions (1694-1707)

Gaming (1708-1728)

Jewelry & Watches (1729-1755)


Day Two (Lots 1756-1770) & (Lots 2000-2731)
Gold Nuggets & Specimens (1756-1770)
Minerals (2000-2149)
Mining Part I (2150-2731)
Assay (2150-2278)
Explosives (2279-2291)
Mining Lighting (2292-2298)
Mining Artifacts & Tools (2299-2231)
Mining Art (2232-2354)
Geographic (Alabama-California) (2355-2731)

Day Three (Lots 3000-3727)
Mining Part II
Geographic (Colorado-Foreign) (3000-3691)
Books (3692-3727)

Day Four (Lots 4000-4717)
Bottles (4000-4094)
Railroadiana (4095-4222)
Passes (4095-4176)
Ephemera (4177-4222)
Civil War (4223-4259)
Pawnee Bill Broadsides (4260 & 4261)
Firearms & Weaponry (4262-4315)
General Americana feat. California & Georgia Gold Rush Ephemera
Geographic Sort (4316-4637)
Miscellaneous incl. Art, General Store, Maps, & Books (4638-4717)





SHIPPING & HANDLING: Shipping and Handling cannot be estimated prior to invoicing, based on the size and weight of your purchase. All shipping is subject to a minimum charge of $19.00. If additional shipping and handling costs are required, the buyer will be reinvoiced for the balance due. Items are not shipped until the invoice is completely paid. Many buyers purchase a number of lots. Every effort will be made to include all lots in a single shipping charge calculated to cover the weight and size of the package(s). NOTE: Some shipments (of unusual size, dimension, or weight) may require sp...
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1844 World Atlas, Chapman & Hill4699 - 1844 World Atlas, Chapman & Hill
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Atlas, world. "Maps of the society for the diffusion of useful knowledge". In two volumes. Chapman and Hall, London, 1844 approximately 14...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 3,000.00
Sold to j******y for (850.00 + 212.50BP) = 1,062.50
 
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Gaskell's Atlas of the World, 18884700 - Gaskell's Atlas of the World, 1888
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Atlas. Gaskell's Popular Atlas of the world, 1888, indexed. Approximately 14 x 16". Severe wear at binding edges as might be expected, publ...
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Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 500.00
 
 
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Map of Columbia & Guayana, c.18204701 - Map of Columbia & Guayana, c.1820
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Engraved & Hand colored by Lizars. Shows early gold deposits at Cotopaxi which was a very important Spanish Mines. Slight stain on bottom center...
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Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
 
 
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Map of South Africa & Madagascar, c.18204702 - Map of South Africa & Madagascar, c.1820
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Interesting map, engraved & hand colored by Lizars. This shows Cape of Good Hope. This was very dangerous seas. Gold Rush travelers dared not st...
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Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 600.00
 
 
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Map of South America, 18634703 - Map of South America, 1863
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Double truck, 73,74. Engraved Cartography with hand color by A.J. Johnson. Vivid color. This shows Panama railroad for gold region bound pioneers. Ma
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Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Map of Spain & Portugal, c.18204704 - Map of Spain & Portugal, c.1820
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Intaglio engraved, printed & hand colored by Lizars, beautiful condition. This is world gold mining in Southern Spain. Shows Majorca, Ivica &...
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Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Map of West Indies, 18644705 - Map of West Indies, 1864
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This map shows Greater Caribbean Sea, Lesser Antilles Windward Islands & much more. Havana was a stop for gold rush bound pioneers before going ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
Sold to 4*******x for (80.00 + 20.00BP) = 100.00
 
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3 Guide Books4706 - 3 Guide Books
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Hardcovers. Gregory's Guide for California Travelers by Gregory,limited to 300 copies. Bigelow's Life of Colonel Freemont by Jackson 1856. T...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 90.00 - 120.00
Sold to j******y for (85.00 + 21.25BP) = 106.25
 
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3 Signed John Kollock Books4707 - 3 Signed John Kollock Books
Holabird Western Americana Collections
3 hardcovers signed by author. These Gentle Hills. Watercolor Memories of the Hills. Seasons of Light in the Hills. (Al Adams Gold Rush Memorabilia C
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 40.00 | Estimate : 80.00 - 120.00
 
 
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American West Books (4)4708 - American West Books (4)
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Across the Continent by Bowles, 1865 with large hand colored folding map of US. Marvels of the New West by Thayer 1890. Assortment of modern Wells Far
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 120.00
Sold to p********n for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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American West Books (6)4709 - American West Books (6)
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Great Stories of American Businessmen by American Heritage. The 50 Great Pioneers of American Industry. Trail Wild West by Walker. The Mining History
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Start Price : 40.00 | Estimate : 80.00 - 120.00
 
 
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Gold Rush Books (10)4710 - Gold Rush Books (10)
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 10 Gold Rush Books ranging from 1) Ghost Town and Mining Camps of New Mexico (with pictures); 2) Gold Rushes and Mining Camps of the Early Amer
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
Sold to p********n for (450.00 + 112.50BP) = 562.50
 
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History of the Pacific States by Bancroft Vol. XXVI4711 - History of the Pacific States by Bancroft Vol. XXVI
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Hardcover with detaching spine. VOL XXVI, Washington, Idaho and Montana. 1845-1889. 1890 836pp. (Al Adams Gold Rush Memorabilia Collection) Date:
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 80.00 - 120.00
Sold to 9***6 for (60.00 + 15.00BP) = 75.00
 
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Insider's Guide to Antique Securities4712 - Insider's Guide to Antique Securities
Holabird Western Americana Collections
3 ring binder bound Insider's Guide to Antique Securities by Garrison. Rare item with binder cover and many photos of securities. (Al Adams Gol...
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Start Price : 50.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
 
 
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The Life of William McKinley (Book); The Life of Andrew Jackson4713 - The Life of William McKinley (Book); The Life of Andrew Jackson
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1) Hardback book, slight tearing in spine of book and some wear on outside cover. Many pictures of homes, parties, men in uniform, together with a Lif
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 60.00 - 100.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (30.00 + 7.50BP) = 37.50
 
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The Monitor Guide to Post Offices and Railroad Stations4714 - The Monitor Guide to Post Offices and Railroad Stations
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This is a reprint of the Monitor guide which was established by E.W. Bullinger in 1876. 231 pp. 10.5" x 7". (Al Adams Gold Rush Memorabil...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 25.00 | Estimate : 50.00 - 100.00
 
 
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Western History Books (2)4715 - Western History Books (2)
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Hardcovers. Kit Carson by Abbott, 1873 348pp. Wear consistent with age. Our New West by Boules , 1869 524pp, rear cover is detaching. From the collect
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
Sold to p********n for (75.00 + 18.75BP) = 93.75
 
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Western US Book Group of 54716 - Western US Book Group of 5
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Geology of Wyoming's Precious Metal Lode and placer Deposits by Hausel, The Battle of Glorieta Pass-The Colorado Volunteers in the Civil War by ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 90.00 - 150.00
Sold to p********n for (55.00 + 13.75BP) = 68.75
 
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Harper's Magazine, 13 Bound Volumes4717 - Harper's Magazine, 13 Bound Volumes
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Thirteen professionally bound volumes of Harper's Magazine, 1906-1918, but not a complete run for this date series. Includes volumes: 113-2, 11...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
 
 
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