Sizzling Summer Western Americana Auction (August 2021)

Auction Details

Welcome to our August 2021 sale, the "Sizzling Summer Western Americana Auction!"

Our August sale is full of “hot stuff” across the board, and features some of the best collections in their genre offered publicly in a long time.

*The “California” Collection of Native American Jewelry*
The California Native American jewelry collection includes nearly 400 lots of fine, artistic silver and turquoise jewelry from a major collection.

The group of Native American jewelry presented by Holabird Western Americana Collections, LLC, is from the collection of a long time California collector. Collecting over several decades, the collection features some incredible pieces—the main part of the collection is represented by bolos from Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico. There are also necklaces, bracelets, rings, belt buckles, and brooches. Much of this jewelry collection is “museum worthy art.”

The Zuni people are famous for their inlay—both mosaic inlay and channel inlay. The Zuni petit-point and needlepoint work in stones is just as well-known. The collection focuses on pieces from c1940s-60s. Some Zuni artists represented are: Dan Simplicio, Leo Poblano, Lambert Homer Sr., the Edaakies, Frank Vacit, Dexter Cellicion, Myra Tucson, Elliot Qualo, Annie Quam Gasper, Alonzo and Helen Hustito, Velma Lesansee, Horace Ilue, and many others. Most of the jewelry made before 1970 was not hallmarked. We have named the artists of each piece whenever possible, however, some are “attributed to,” and others we were unable to identify.

Many of the artists are presented in the books by Toshio Sei, published by Schiffer. Toshio Sei began collecting Zuni jewelry in 1993 and has written several books on the various forms of Zuni jewelry. Besides presenting the artists, he has done much research and gives detailed analyses that explain connections of artists and styles, thus giving us history and meanings for the pieces of jewelry. A number of the pieces offered here are illustrated in his books.

The “California” collection also includes jewelry from the Navajo, Santo Domingo Pueblo, and the Hopi. You will find amazing pieces of jewelry from all of these Native people and will have a difficult decision deciding on those to choose for your own collections!

For Western bolo tie collectors, this is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, with the largest sale of its kind ever held.

*The Western Collections*
We received two major collections containing outstanding items--both for their visual appeal and historical importance.

The first centers around Arizona and Colorado ephemera (19th century photos and documents) related to major mining camps, supplemented by gorgeous oil paintings of Native American and Western scenes by Douglas Rosa. One of our favorites from this collection is a framed photo of Tombstone prostitute “Amelia” (in classic prostitute attire) with her business license.

The second Western collection includes incredible military items (highlighted below), rare Western postcards, and a fantastic library including rare firearms references.

*Militaria*
This section is phenomenal, highlighted by George Armstrong Custer’s holster and gun belt, which is accompanied by a long history. Added to this is a major collection related to the Mexican War and Pancho Villa, including a photo-diary by Arizona photographer Walter Horne. Of great interest will be the associated collections from the Prag Collection and others, rounding out a phenomenal section on the Civil War, Spanish American War, and both World Wars.

For the Firearm collector is a large library of historical books on guns, hunting and related, with some of the all-time key references. These complement a large collection of rare books. Exploration researchers will love the Arctic Exploration library and other early works on Western exploration.

*Ken Prag Collection*
Wow! There are three distinct parts of his collection in this sale: ephemera, postcards, and stocks.

First and foremost, most or all of the material is from his unsorted acquisitions for decades. We found amazing items here. Like the Bodie & Bridgeport Telegraph archive with a message about a failed robbery of the SF mint right after the earthquake!

There is a wealth of paper ephemera, particularly from California. The postcards (over 500 lots) are stunning, and among the best offered so far, with exceptionally rare views in both RPC and printed format. Large collections include California (incl. Tahoe and Yosemite) and Hawaii. Nearly every lot has great cards, and you won’t want to miss this opportunity. Pioneer cards? Hundreds of them. One of the sections we had the most fun with is the gaming section--postcards with a gaming or playing card theme. This collection is now in about 20 lots, comprised of hundreds of cards.

*Numismatics*
A large offering of foreign and US coins, medals, counters, and other exonumia. Includes a C. Bechtler Dollar; Carson City Mint morgans; a fantasy Wells Fargo & Co. Express, Goldfield Iron Strongbox; and a large selection of California and Western tokens and Good For mirrors (ex. Ron Lerch Collection).

*Other Highlights*
Stocks and Bonds: Another fantastic selection from
perhaps a dozen collections. Features rare Arizona pieces and foreign mining stocks from the Prag Collection.

Railroadiana: Another great batch of railroad passes from an incredible Western collection we have been selling over the past year and a half. Also, a rare Colorado railroad section, and a collection of Virginia & Truckee Railroad ephemera from the Prag Collection.


Auction Schedule

Day 1, Thursday, August 5th, 2021, Lots 1000-1605
*General Americana (Lots 1000-1605)
Geographic Sort (1000-1251)
World’s Fair & Expositions (1252-1286)
Gaming (1287-1311)
Bottles & Saloon (1312-1342)
Marbles & Toys (1343-1365)
Jewelry (1366-1421)
Clothing (1422-1452)
Music (1453-1465)
Miscellaneous incl. Photos, Furnishings, Ephemera (1466-1605)

Day 2, Friday, August 6th, 2021, Lots 2000-2596
*Transportation (2000-2153)
Railroad (2000-2119)
Aviation & Automobile (2120-2153)
*Philatelic (2154-2596)
Stamps & Covers (2154-2175)
Postcards (2176-2596)

Day 3, Saturday, August 7th, 2021, Lots 3000-3606
*Native Americana (3000-3387)
Jewelry (3000-3271)
Artifacts, Art, Baskets, Pottery (3272-3315)
Ephemera incl. Rare Photographs, Postcards, & Books (3316-3387)
*Military incl. Custer and Pancho Villa Collections (3388-3514)
Chronologically Sorted (Civil War, Spanish American, WWI, WWII, etc)
*Political (3515-3535)
*Firearms feat. Firearms & Weaponry Historical Books (3536-3606)

Day 4, Sunday, August 8th, 2021, Lots 4000-4606
*Cowboy & Western (4000-4040)
*Art (4041-4105)
*Mining (4106-4189)
*Stocks & Bonds (4190-4310)
*Numismatics (4311-4505)
*Tokens (4506-4606)

Day 5, Monday, August 9th, 2021, Lots 5000-5583
*General Books (5000-5072)
*Bargains & Dealer Specials (5073-5583)
General Americana (5073-5189)
Philatelic (5190-5408)
Stocks & Bonds (5409-5479)
Numismatics incl. Dies, Coins, Counters, & Tokens (5480-5583)
SHIPPING & HANDLING: Shipping is subject to a minimum charge of $19.00. Shipping and handling cannot be estimated prior to invoicing as it is based on the size and weight of your purchase. Additional shipping and handling costs, if required, will be re-invoiced 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.SHIPPING & HANDLING: Shipping and Handling cannot be estimated prior to invoicing, based on the size a...
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Philippine Currency - ~29 pieces  [136104]4490 - Philippine Currency - ~29 pieces [136104]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Centavos and Pesos denominations of paper currency from the Philippines. Most circulated. Three multiple designs for the same denomination, reflecting
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to A******S for (50.00 + 10.25BP) = 60.25
 
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Russian Currency, Old and New  [136111]4491 - Russian Currency, Old and New [136111]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
More than 100 pieces of currency from Russia, some new some quite old. See photos for examples of what is included. Date: Country (if not USA): Ru
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 300.00
Sold to k******k for (120.00 + 30.00BP) = 150.00
 
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South American Currencies  [136118]4492 - South American Currencies [136118]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Currencies from countries in South America, one each unless otherwise noted, as follows: ARGENTINA, 1 peso, circ, and one mis-cut piece that is a bond
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to d*******f for (65.00 + 16.25BP) = 81.25
 
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1500 Twenty Thousand Bolivares Notes, 2017  [136684]4493 - 1500 Twenty Thousand Bolivares Notes, 2017 [136684]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Bright pink all uncirculated. These notes book at $5-20 each depending which book you use. Date: Country (if not USA): Venezuela State: City:
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,200.00 - 1,700.00
Sold to K*****h for (650.00 + 162.50BP) = 812.50
 
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Vietnam Currency, Various Denominations  [136110]4494 - Vietnam Currency, Various Denominations [136110]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Currency from Viet Nam, denominations and count as follows: 1 - seven (4 designs); 2 - three; thirteen (4 designs); 10 - three; 20 - six (three design
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to d*******f for (85.00 + 21.25BP) = 106.25
 
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Zimbabwe Currency, Large Denominations - 20 pieces  [136114]4495 - Zimbabwe Currency, Large Denominations - 20 pieces [136114]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Zimbabwe currency in dollars, all uncirculated, in the following denominations: 20,000, four pieces, consecutive SN; 500,000, four pieces, consecutive
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to k******k for (140.00 + 35.00BP) = 175.00
 
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Foreign Currency Grab Bag - 30+ pieces  [136099]4496 - Foreign Currency Grab Bag - 30+ pieces [136099]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A wide variety of international world currencies in fair to good condition, about 33 pieces, from Scotland, Canada, Mexico, Czechoslovakia, Latvia, an
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 60.00 - 100.00
Sold to d*******f for (55.00 + 13.75BP) = 68.75
 
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Island Currencies  [136117]4497 - Island Currencies [136117]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Currencies from island nations, one each except as noted, as follows: DUTCH INDIES, 5 roepia, circ; ICELAND, 10 kroner, circ; NEW ZEALAND, 1 dollar, c
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
 
 
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Conterfeit Bill Guide for Bulgaria  [135908]4498 - Conterfeit Bill Guide for Bulgaria [135908]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Two cards issued by The United States Treasury Department for use by foreign financial institutions to spot counterfeit American currency. This is und
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 60.00 - 100.00
Sold to r*****5 for (35.00 + 8.75BP) = 43.75
 
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"Gold and Silver Coins" by William E. DuBois  [138952]4499 - "Gold and Silver Coins" by William E. DuBois [138952]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
"New Varieties of Gold and Silver Coins, Counterfeit Coins, and Bullion; with Mint Values" by William E. DuBois. Hardcover, George P. Putn...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 800.00
Sold to d*******f for (200.00 + 50.00BP) = 250.00
 
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Philadelphia Mint Brochure  [135265]4500 - Philadelphia Mint Brochure [135265]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Nice little illustrated brochure for the US Mint at Philadelphia. Published by the International Publishing Company. Unpaginated, but about 15 pages,
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
 
 
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A Visit to the Cabinet of The US Mint by Johnson, 1876  [137690]4501 - A Visit to the Cabinet of The US Mint by Johnson, 1876 [137690]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
hardcover, 5x8, 92pp, work describing the coin and medal collection of the US mint. This is a priceless original record of what was present during the
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 150.00 | Estimate : 300.00 - 600.00
 
 
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Wells Fargo & Co. Express, Goldfield, Nevada Iron Strongbox  [135050]4502 - Wells Fargo & Co. Express, Goldfield, Nevada Iron Strongbox [135050]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Spectacular and showy cast iron strongbox. The box has loads of eye appeal for any collector, one of the best we've ever seen. 18.5 x 13 x 12&qu...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 1,000.00 | Estimate : 2,000.00 - 3,000.00
 
 
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Unpublished Manuscript "The Legacy of Gustaf Franzile"  [135699]4503 - Unpublished Manuscript "The Legacy of Gustaf Franzile" [135699]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A typewritten 213 page manuscript written by Benj Fauver, unpublished tale of "The Legacy of Gustaf Franzile." It appears to involve artwo...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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Third Reich Coins, Currency, & Other Ephemera Collection  [137783]4504 - Third Reich Coins, Currency, & Other Ephemera Collection [137783]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Coins (sealed set of two coins and a stamp), candid photos ( 7), post card (7), a piece of currency, perhaps a Visa? Date: Country (if not USA): G
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold to c********O for (180.00 + 45.00BP) = 225.00
 
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The Mint, Birmingham, Limited Stock Certificates  [132640]4505 - The Mint, Birmingham, Limited Stock Certificates [132640]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of two stock certificates issued by The Mint, Birmingham, Limited. Issued 1958 & 1961. Certificates are 10 x 8 1/2 inches. Formerly the wor...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
 
 
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Polet Store/Arctic Trading Post Tokens  [136429]4506 - Polet Store/Arctic Trading Post Tokens [136429]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of three tokens from Nome, Alaska. 1) Arctic Trading Post / Nome / Alaska // Good For / 50c / In Trade; Rd., br., 25 mm. 2 & 3) Polet Stores...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold to e****6 for (50.00 + 11.00BP) = 61.00
 
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Alaska Token Collection  [136431]4507 - Alaska Token Collection [136431]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 25 Alaskan tokens. Bears Den Bar in Soldotna has a pictorial bear. Anchorage, Juneau, Fairbanks, Skagway, Teller, Seward, Sitka, Spenard, Savo
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to F****e for (140.00 + 30.80BP) = 170.80
 
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Alaska Town Token Collection  [136430]4508 - Alaska Town Token Collection [136430]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 22 different tokens from Alaskan towns. Towns include: Teller, Whittier, Fairbanks, Bethel, Anchorage, Ketchican, Juneau, Kivalina, Mountain Vi
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to d*******f for (140.00 + 35.00BP) = 175.00
 
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Pictorial Alaska Tokens  [136417]4509 - Pictorial Alaska Tokens [136417]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of four pictorial tokens from Alaska: 1) First Air Mail Flight / Municipal Airport / Sitka, Alaska / December 14, 1966 / (flying geese) // Servin
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold to M******m for (30.00 + 7.50BP) = 37.50
 
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