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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Candy Company Advertising Mirrors  [136363]4590 - Candy Company Advertising Mirrors [136363]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of two advertising mirrors: John W. Crooks Chocolate Company, Boston, Mass. / "If you the only rival of the Brose Sweets would see just tur...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 120.00
Sold to k******k for (40.00 + 10.00BP) = 50.00
 
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Colorful Large Advertising Mirrors  [136373]4591 - Colorful Large Advertising Mirrors [136373]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of two 3 1/2 inch wide advertising mirrors: The Thornton & Minor Sanitarium, Kansas City, Mo.; Parisian Novelty Company, Chicago (some damag...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to c******n for (45.00 + 11.25BP) = 56.25
 
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Generic Pocket Mirror Collection  [136374]4592 - Generic Pocket Mirror Collection [136374]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of six pocket mirrors: smiling lovely lady (56 mm); smiling standing lady (56 mm); Photomaton: man in a hat (53 mm); Buck's head (oval 45 x ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 120.00 - 180.00
Sold to d*******f for (60.00 + 15.00BP) = 75.00
 
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Large Advertising Mirrors  [136375]4593 - Large Advertising Mirrors [136375]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of six large (3 1/2 diameter) advertising mirrors: Vitrified Iron Tile Structures; Carnation Mush; W. Ross Campbell, Los Angeles; Menasha Wooden W
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 120.00 - 200.00
Sold to k******k for (70.00 + 17.50BP) = 87.50
 
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Miscellaneous Lot of Advertising Mirrors  [136367]4594 - Miscellaneous Lot of Advertising Mirrors [136367]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of six advertising mirrors: Buster Brown Vacation Days Carnival (55 mm); Our Depositors are all good looking to us / Liberty State Bank, Bloomingt
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 120.00
Sold to r*****5 for (120.00 + 30.00BP) = 150.00
 
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Mountain States Telephone & Telegraph Co. Advertising Mirror  [136365]4595 - Mountain States Telephone & Telegraph Co. Advertising Mirror [136365]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Blue and ivory advertising mirror: The Mountain States Telephone & Telegraph Co. / Wise Buyers / Consult / The Classified / Section of the / Tel...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to t**********3 for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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National Bakery Co's Biscuits & Cakes Vintage Advertising Mirror  [135929]4596 - National Bakery Co's Biscuits & Cakes Vintage Advertising Mirror [135929]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Very old style advertising mirror. Elaborate brass handle (8 inches long); elegant 18th century woman; If you wish to obtain the best value buy / The
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold to k******k for (45.00 + 11.25BP) = 56.25
 
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Ohio Match Company Advertising Mirror  [135927]4597 - Ohio Match Company Advertising Mirror [135927]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Colorful advertising mirror: Ohio Blue Tip Matches / Manufactured / by / The Ohio Match Co. / Wadsworth, / Ohio / R. L. Craig & Co. / Los Angele...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold to k******k for (70.00 + 17.50BP) = 87.50
 
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Political Advertising Mirrors  [136364]4598 - Political Advertising Mirrors [136364]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of four advertising mirrors: 1) John A. Rogers /For Coroner / The One of This Side Will / Appreciate the Vote of the / One of the Other Side; 43 m
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 60.00 - 100.00
Sold to k******k for (25.00 + 6.25BP) = 31.25
 
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Printing Company Advertising Mirrors  [135925]4599 - Printing Company Advertising Mirrors [135925]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Two large advertising mirrors from printing companies: 1) Hall & McCreary Company /Publications (little girl reading a book); 3 1/2 inches in d...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 180.00 - 200.00
Sold to k******k for (55.00 + 13.75BP) = 68.75
 
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