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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Janes Aircraft, 2 Vols  [136697]2134 - Janes Aircraft, 2 Vols [136697]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
2 volumes of Janes classic work on aircrafts, 1964-5 and 1966-7. Both ex library. The quintessential resource on aircraft. Date: Country (if not US
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 75.00 | Estimate : 150.00 - 200.00
 
 
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Automobile Insignia Collection, c1920s? (15)  [137446]2135 - Automobile Insignia Collection, c1920s? (15) [137446]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Fifteen different automobile Insignia most with inlaid porcelain. Includes Buick; Oakland; Reo; Studebaker; Essex; Nash; Stutz; Desoto; Rickenbacker;
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 800.00
Sold to d*******f for (425.00 + 106.25BP) = 531.25
 
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Don Sommer American Arrow Classic Car Desk Ornaments (2)  [137431]2136 - Don Sommer American Arrow Classic Car Desk Ornaments (2) [137431]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Pair of decorative nickel plated racecars mounted on a green onyx base, each measures about 9" long with Don Sommer emblem on base. Date: Co...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to d*******f for (190.00 + 47.50BP) = 237.50
 
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Early Automotive Lamps  [135007]2137 - Early Automotive Lamps [135007]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This lot has three early automotive headlamps 1910-1930. One Vesta lamp at 7 in. diam. appears to have original black paint. Made with two pull pins f
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold to t****8 for (20.00 + 4.40BP) = 24.40
 
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Automobile Club Ephemera  [135112]2138 - Automobile Club Ephemera [135112]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Six pieces of automotive history: three maps from the California State Automobile Association: San Francisco and Oakland to Stockton; Coast Route San
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 300.00
Sold to L******8 for (25.00 + 5.50BP) = 30.50
 
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Automotive Ephemera  [135105]2139 - Automotive Ephemera [135105]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Large collection of various automakers ephemera. Partial list of contents: Buick: certificates of ownership, 1939 owners manual; Ford: 1919 Ford Manu
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to d*******f for (110.00 + 27.50BP) = 137.50
 
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Automotive Ephemera  [135107]2140 - Automotive Ephemera [135107]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of five pieces of automotive history: 1913 Willy-Overland brochure in original postal cover; 1978 sales brochure for the silver anniversary Chevro
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to a******4 for (30.00 + 7.50BP) = 37.50
 
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Automotive Ephemera  [135123]2141 - Automotive Ephemera [135123]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Large miscellaneous lot: seven 8 x 10 photographs of 1920s vehicles; 1940 GM brochure "Futurama"; trade cards, first day covers; 1926 Mogu...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 600.00
Sold to d*******f for (70.00 + 17.50BP) = 87.50
 
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Automotive Ephemera: Jeffery/Doble/Delling/Nash  [135118]2142 - Automotive Ephemera: Jeffery/Doble/Delling/Nash [135118]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Vintage brochures from long gone auto makers. Jeffery in Peace and War (WW I); Doble Steam Automobile (two beautiful 12 x 9 inch brochures with large
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
 
 
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Automotive Ephemera: Mitchell/Oakland/White Steamer/Dayton  [135110]2143 - Automotive Ephemera: Mitchell/Oakland/White Steamer/Dayton [135110]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Historic advertising from long gone auto makers. Mitchell (sales brochure, circa 1903-23); Oakland (two brochures: "The Sensible Six," and...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to L******8 for (65.00 + 14.30BP) = 79.30
 
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Automotive Ephemera: Nash/Stanley/Stutz/Maxwell  [135109]2144 - Automotive Ephemera: Nash/Stanley/Stutz/Maxwell [135109]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Collection of papers from smaller auto makers: Nash ("The Nash Four" brochure); Stanley (steam car, no clutch, no shift); Stutz (modern mo...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to L******8 for (50.00 + 11.00BP) = 61.00
 
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Durant Motor Cars Ephemera  [135108]2145 - Durant Motor Cars Ephemera [135108]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Collection of paperwork pertaining to Durant Motor Cars. Two stock certificates; three registered postal covers; advertising brochures. Lot of eight p
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to t********f for (75.00 + 18.75BP) = 93.75
 
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Franklin Mint Precision Model Car Collection (21)  [137425]2146 - Franklin Mint Precision Model Car Collection (21) [137425]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
c1980s, Seventeen high quality model cars, generally about 9" long. 1/24th scale. Including: 1937 Cord 812 Phaton Coupe; 1956 Ford Thunderbird;...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 2,000.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (500.00 + 125.00BP) = 625.00
 
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Hand Book of Automobiles 1918  [135101]2147 - Hand Book of Automobiles 1918 [135101]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Soft cover, 225 pages, produced by the National Automobile Chamber of Commerce with illustrations and specifications for gasoline and electric vehicle
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to f*****1 for (100.00 + 25.00BP) = 125.00
 
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Hudson/Jackson/Pierce Arrow/REO Speed Wagon Automotive Ephemera  [132652]2148 - Hudson/Jackson/Pierce Arrow/REO Speed Wagon Automotive Ephemera [132652]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Some rare makes of automobile in this lot of ephemera. Billheads, brochures, a business card and advertising. Makes include Hudson, Pierce Arrow (addr
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to d*******f for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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Instruction Book for the Cadillac Automobile  [135099]2149 - Instruction Book for the Cadillac Automobile [135099]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Early Cadillac owner's manual, 29 pages, cover detached, no date but Cadillacs were made as early as 1902. Also a sales brochure "You ride ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to d*******f for (110.00 + 27.50BP) = 137.50
 
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Packard Auto Manuals  [135103]2150 - Packard Auto Manuals [135103]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of four: 1911 Packard Motor Cars Information manual, 128 pages; 1937 Packard Super-Eight operation and maintenance data, 58 pages; Owner's I...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 500.00
 
 
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Studebaker/Oldsmobile/DeSoto Automotive Ephemera  [132653]2151 - Studebaker/Oldsmobile/DeSoto Automotive Ephemera [132653]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of brochures, postcards and advertising for Studebaker, Oldsmobile and DeSoto automobiles. Approximately 6 pieces. Date: Country (if not USA):
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 300.00
Sold to d*******f for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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Tucker Automotive Dealer Publications  [135098]2152 - Tucker Automotive Dealer Publications [135098]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Five issues of the official 1948 Tucker Corporation Dealer publication "Tucker Topics." Also a brochure telling the story of the Tucker &#...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
Sold to d*******f for (130.00 + 32.50BP) = 162.50
 
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Indian Motorcycle Record Book  [135958]2153 - Indian Motorcycle Record Book [135958]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Indian Motorcycle personal record book. Red cover, 2 1/2 x 4 inches. Calendars for 1929 & 1930; picture page of Indian motorcycle racing champio...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (55.00 + 13.75BP) = 68.75
 
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