THE GOLDEN WEST AUCTIONS

Auction Details

The Golden West Sale encompasses three sessions of auctions covering some of the most important historical western material from the Gold Rush periods of California, Nevada and Colorado. The material has been assembled from many of the great western collections, as well as original material handed down within Gold Rush families, held intact for over 100 years.
Session A of the Golden West Sale encompasses the annual WESTS (Western States Token Society) token auction. This year the highlight is clearly and unarguably the finest Western Indian Trader, Fort & Territorial collection ever assembled at public auction. The more than 500 lot sale contains dozens of R9 and R10 tokens, many of which have not seen the light of day in at least four decades. Some ephemera also is included from Indian Trader sites. Indian Trader tokens are an important form of money exchanged between Indians and Anglos in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Trading Posts were a way of life in the isolated outposts of the western plains and mountains, swapping furs, rugs, coats and other items for food stuffs and equipment. There has never been a sale of this magnitude and importance. The end of this sale will include a comprehensive collection of Naval tokens never before offered and with NO ESTIMATES or MINIMUM BID REQUIREMENTS, as this offering will set the pricing precedent for naval tokens.
Session B encompasses many of the popular collecting categories. It includes a strong photograph collection of American saloon interiors, saloon ephemera and Gold Rush region saloon tokens, also known as Pioneer Minor Coinage. Part of the saloon section includes a large collection of the ultra-rare Good-for mirrors, one of the rarest forms of money, many with pictorial representations of the fabulous “gay-90’s” saloon girls, as well as advertising mirrors. This is the largest mirror offering since the Rosa sale of 1988. Most of the mirrors are so rare that only one to three specimens of each are known. The session will be rounded out by a collection of So-called dollars and Hibler Kappen related material, $50 slug facsimiles, Chopmarked coins, Golden Gate International Exposition Medals and more. Much of this section is from the well-known Bill Weber Collection.
Session C The highlight of the sale is certainly the newly discovered Washington Nugget, a nearly 100 ounce nugget (and several others) found in an unmined section of the Omega-Malakoff Tertiary Channel in February, 2010 that made national news. The nuggets are accompanied by two large original nineteenth-century bullion scales (Christian Becker, New York; Henry Troemner, Philadelphia), It is accompanied in the sale by some masterful original Gold Rush art, inclusive of a spectacular and early rendition of a miner, several broadsides- a miner in lithographic form, panoramic views of mining communities, a number of original Currier & Ives prints of the Gold Rush and Salt Lake City, stage coach pieces, and the Alaska 1893 Yukon/Alaska Miners Union Banner.
A massive Gold Rush banking collection covers the 1850’s through 1860’s in California and Nevada, with what is probably the largest Gold Rush period banking collection ever offered publicly. It contains more than 100 different Bills of Exchange, a form of the first circulating currency on the West Coast. A wonderful and large collection of Gold Rush banking documents augments this fine collection, along with original leather gold pokes and money belts.
Some of the highlights of the Gold Rush Collection are documents from the original 1910 San Francisco sale of the estate of James King of William, documents signed by Adolph Sutro, California coiner F. D. Kohler, and others. A very rare letter book from Nevada mining and railroad magnate Hume Yerington from the mid-1860’s contains incredible information about his life prior to his railroad successes.
A large collection of US Mint ephemera is included, including rare bullion receipts, photographs, lithograph, gold coin and other coin bank bags, as well as rare Carson City gold and silver coins. Accompanying the Mint ephemera is a section of California Counters and rare California Gold Rush tokens.
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Marysville,CA - July 31, 1867 - Pacific Bank Manuscript Check :3208 - Marysville,CA - July 31, 1867 - Pacific Bank Manuscript Check :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Written for $1000 to Pacific Bank, San Francisco, CA on lined paper. Double seal stamped Aug. 2, 1867 at center. One orange 2 cent bankcheck stamp wit
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to 8***8 for (50.00 + 8.75BP) = 58.75
 
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Merced,CA - July 5th, 1888 - Superintendent's Office Photograph :3209 - Merced,CA - July 5th, 1888 - Superintendent's Office Photograph :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Cabinet card of Merced County Superintendent, Jos A. Howell. This cabinet card is signed and dated by the superintendent. The photograph measures 7
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 75.00 - 150.00
Sold to m********n for (38.00 + 6.65BP) = 44.65
 
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Mohave County,CA - 1995 - Bits 'n Pieces of the Mohave Desert's Weathered Past :3210 - Mohave County,CA - 1995 - Bits 'n Pieces of the Mohave Desert's Weathered Past :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
By John M. Swisher. 234 pp.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 10.00 - 30.00
Sold to 4***0 for (6.00 + 1.05BP) = 7.05
 
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Mohave County,CA - 1934 - Mojave A Book of Stories :3211 - Mohave County,CA - 1934 - Mojave A Book of Stories :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
By Edwin Corle. 272 pp.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 10.00 - 20.00
Sold to s*****0 for (5.00 + 0.88BP) = 5.88
 
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Mojave,CA - Kern County - Mojave Desert Publications :3212 - Mojave,CA - Kern County - Mojave Desert Publications :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Lot of 11, includes: 1) Pioneer of the Mojave, The Life and Times of Aaron G. Lane by Thompson, Richard and Kathryn; 2) The Mentor, Lure of the Desert
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to s*****0 for (50.00 + 8.75BP) = 58.75
 
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Mojave,CA - Inyo County - Mojave Desert Publications :3213 - Mojave,CA - Inyo County - Mojave Desert Publications :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Lot of four Includes: 1) The Mojave Indians by Smith, Gerald A. Hardcover, 131 pages including many photographs, maps, and illustrations. 2) Quaternar
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
 
 
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Mono County,CA - June 4, 1879 - Addenda Gold and Silver Mining Company Stock :3214 - Mono County,CA - June 4, 1879 - Addenda Gold and Silver Mining Company Stock :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Bodie Mining District. Incorporated in 1878. Cert. #318, issued to Nat Stein, Jr. for 50 shares. Signed by Sam’l Dixon, vice president, and T.J.C. Dix
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 600.00
Sold to p********n for (120.00 + 21.00BP) = 141.00
 
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Mono County,CA - February 25, 1881 - Addenda Gold and Silver Mining Company Stock :3215 - Mono County,CA - February 25, 1881 - Addenda Gold and Silver Mining Company Stock :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Bodie Mining District. Incorporated in 1878. Cert. #2109, issued to Nat Stein, Jr. for 60 shares. Signed by John Dixon, president, and F.H. Dixon, sec
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 600.00
Sold to p********n for (120.00 + 21.00BP) = 141.00
 
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Mono County,CA - August 17, 1882 - Boston Consolidated Mining Company Stock :3216 - Mono County,CA - August 17, 1882 - Boston Consolidated Mining Company Stock :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Bodie Mining District. Incorporated in 1879. Cert. #2907, issued to F.E. Luty, Trustee, for 77,950 shares. Signed by W. T. Farner, president, and by F
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 600.00
Sold to p********n for (140.00 + 24.50BP) = 164.50
 
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Mono County,CA - October 31, 1879 - California Gold Mining Company Stock :3217 - Mono County,CA - October 31, 1879 - California Gold Mining Company Stock :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Bodie Mining District. Incorporated in 1878. Cert. #797, issued to Edward F. (illegible) for 25 shares. Signed by Clinton Gurnee, president, and by E
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 600.00
Sold to p********n for (130.00 + 22.75BP) = 152.75
 
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Mono County,CA - c187_ - Munckton Gold & Silver Mining Company Stock Certificate :3218 - Mono County,CA - c187_ - Munckton Gold & Silver Mining Company Stock Certificate :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Incorporated July 29, 1870. Blank. "Dunderburg Lode" printed below company name and in underprint across center of certificate. "Mono...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 38.00 | Estimate : 75.00 - 100.00
 
 
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Mono County,CA - January 8, 1880 - Queen Bee Mining Company Stock :3219 - Mono County,CA - January 8, 1880 - Queen Bee Mining Company Stock :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Bodie Mining District. Incorporated in 1878. Cert. #156, issued T.M. Luce for 150 shares. Signed by J.K. Bechtel as president and by G.N. Frisher as s
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 600.00
Sold to 9***1 for (170.00 + 29.75BP) = 199.75
 
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Mono County,CA - June 26, 1880 - Queen Bee Mining Company Stock :3220 - Mono County,CA - June 26, 1880 - Queen Bee Mining Company Stock :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Bodie Mining District. Incorporated in 1878. Cert. #928, issued to W.J. Muller, Jr. for 100 shares. Signed by J.K. Bechtel as president and by G.N. Fr
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to 9***1 for (160.00 + 28.00BP) = 188.00
 
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Montague,CA - Siskiyou County -  c1900-1910 - Etna Brewery Saloon Business Card :3221 - Montague,CA - Siskiyou County - c1900-1910 - Etna Brewery Saloon Business Card :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Plain small business card. Charles Kappler moved to the United States in 1852 and began working in Sacramento breweries. In later years, he purchased
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 and UP
Sold to o******s for (110.00 + 19.25BP) = 129.25
 
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Napa County,CA - November 1, 1917 - California State Fair Train Wreck Photo Post Card :3222 - Napa County,CA - November 1, 1917 - California State Fair Train Wreck Photo Post Card :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
A single RPC showing two train engines and coal cars in what looks like a contrived burn. The coal cars carry signs reading: California State Fair Spe
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 50.00 - 100.00
Sold to r******8 for (25.00 + 4.38BP) = 29.38
 
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Nevada City,CA - Nevada County - 1877-1884 - California Gold Rush Collection :3223 - Nevada City,CA - Nevada County - 1877-1884 - California Gold Rush Collection :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Lot of five. 1) Deadwood Gold Mining Co. No. 309 issued Apr. 29, 1879 for 200 shares. Signed Geo. E. Turner. Willow Valley District, Nev. Co., Cal. In
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to 8***8 for (225.00 + 39.38BP) = 264.38
 
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Nevada City,CA - Nevada County - c1880 - Clock Repair Shop Photograph :3224 - Nevada City,CA - Nevada County - c1880 - Clock Repair Shop Photograph :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
A view of a man and a woman at work can be seen through the front windows of a small storefront with a large clock hanging from a pole outside and 24
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 75.00 - 150.00
Sold to r******l for (38.00 + 6.65BP) = 44.65
 
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Nevada City,CA - Nevada County - April 2, 1900 - Frank Golden Jewelry Co. Letter :3225 - Nevada City,CA - Nevada County - April 2, 1900 - Frank Golden Jewelry Co. Letter :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Written on the Frank Golden Jewelry Co. letterhead, sub-titled, “Watches, Diamonds and Fine Jewelry. Fine Watch and Jewelry Repairing A Specialty.” T
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 25.00 | Estimate : 50.00 - 100.00
 
 
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Nevada City,CA - Nevada County - c1880 - John Spaulding Family Photograph :3226 - Nevada City,CA - Nevada County - c1880 - John Spaulding Family Photograph :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Lot of three includes a matted family photograph 4 7/8"x7 3/4" and two unmounted 3 1/4"x 4 1/4" photograph collection. The cabi...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 300.00
 
 
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Nevada City,CA - Nevada County - no date - Mining Photographs :3227 - Nevada City,CA - Nevada County - no date - Mining Photographs :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Lot of two photographs. Date and photographer unknown. First photograph has sharp focus and low contrast. Photo measures 5’’x 3 ¾’’ on mount...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 75.00 | Estimate : 150.00 - 200.00
 
 
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