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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San Fransisco,CA - 1869 - Our New West, Book :3354 - San Fransisco,CA - 1869 - Our New West, Book :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Our New West by Samuel Bowles 1869 hardcover, 524 pages: A Book describing the records of travel between The Mississippi River and the Pacific Ocean.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 75.00 - 100.00
Sold to j******n for (38.00 + 6.65BP) = 44.65
 
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San Joaquin County,CA - September 2, 1853 - Chinese Mining License :3355 - San Joaquin County,CA - September 2, 1853 - Chinese Mining License :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
No. 55,055 issued to A.F. Chung who paid four dollars which entitles him to labor in the mines for one month. Border at left edge. 3.25" x 4.25...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to R******n for (325.00 + 56.88BP) = 381.88
 
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San Jose,CA - Santa Clara County - c1900 - St. James Hotel Fob & Key Tag :3356 - San Jose,CA - Santa Clara County - c1900 - St. James Hotel Fob & Key Tag :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
A white metal fob reading: Compliments of / St. James Hotel / San Jose, Cal. / Tyler Beach, Prop. The reverse side is designed to have a name and addr
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 25.00 | Estimate : 50.00 - 100.00
 
 
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Santa Ana,CA - Orange County - 1928 - Santa Ana, California Photograph :3357 - Santa Ana,CA - Orange County - 1928 - Santa Ana, California Photograph :
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This 9 3/4" by 7 3/4" unmounted glossy photo by an unknown photographer advertises the upcoming Armistice Day Parade on November 11, 1928....
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 75.00 - 100.00
Sold to 8***8 for (50.00 + 8.75BP) = 58.75
 
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Santa Barbara,CA - c1875 - Packing Wood from the Old Mission Photograph :3358 - Santa Barbara,CA - c1875 - Packing Wood from the Old Mission Photograph :
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Old Mission Santa Barbara sits in the background of a man packing wood and supplies. The Old Mission was built in 1786 and remains today. Photograph
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 75.00 - 100.00
Sold to r******l for (60.00 + 10.50BP) = 70.50
 
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Santa Monica,CA - Los Angeles County - May 8, 1907 - Old Soldiers' Home Photograph :3359 - Santa Monica,CA - Los Angeles County - May 8, 1907 - Old Soldiers' Home Photograph :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
This gold mounted 8" by 6" photo, by an unknown photographer, took this photo of people standing on the steps of the Old Soldier's Hom...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 75.00 - 150.00
Sold to 8***8 for (45.00 + 7.88BP) = 52.88
 
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Shasta,CA - Dec. 1, 1855 - Rhodes and Whitney Co. Documents :3360 - Shasta,CA - Dec. 1, 1855 - Rhodes and Whitney Co. Documents :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
No. 505. Paid for $300. Later period of Rhodes (and Lusk) and Co. after the period of FW Blake's time as an expressman. "Whitney" hand...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 300.00
Sold to 8***8 for (50.00 + 8.75BP) = 58.75
 
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Shasta,CA - Vista Over Bridge Photograph :3361 - Shasta,CA - Vista Over Bridge Photograph :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
A view of a woman standing on a bridge crossing a river in a wooded area with several buildings in the background on the far side of the river. Cabin
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 25.00 | Estimate : 50.00 - 75.00
 
 
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Sierra City, Loyalton,CA - Sierra County - 1900 - Logging and  Mining Scene Photographs (2) :3362 - Sierra City, Loyalton,CA - Sierra County - 1900 - Logging and Mining Scene Photographs (2) :
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The first photograph measures 9 ¼’’ x 8 ½’’ on a tan matte. Medium contrast and focus is okay. White spots appear in center in the upper...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 125.00 | Estimate : 250.00 - 350.00
 
 
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Sierra County,CA - Excelsior Drift Gold Mining Co. Stock :3363 - Sierra County,CA - Excelsior Drift Gold Mining Co. Stock :
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Lot of two. Incorporated Sept. 7, 1887. 1)No. 269 issued June 12, 1889 for 500 shares. Signed Angelo Busch, Pres. 2) Unissued, uncut, unnumbered. Vign
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
 
 
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Sierra County,CA - Sierra Co. Checks :3364 - Sierra County,CA - Sierra Co. Checks :
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Lot of three. 1) No. 164 issued August 17, 1870 to Stephen Miller for $41.18. Signed J. T. Hanks Supt. "Downieville" lined out Sierra Butt...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
 
 
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Silver Mountain,CA - c. 1860's - Hancock  Gold & Silver Mining Co. Stock :3365 - Silver Mountain,CA - c. 1860's - Hancock Gold & Silver Mining Co. Stock :
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Lot of three. Unissued, uncut. Incorporated July, 1863. Vignette of man with billfold at left. Water mill with man and horse at center, windmill on hi
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
 
 
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Sonora,CA - Tuolumne County - c1904 - Knights Templar Mason's Brass Badge :3366 - Sonora,CA - Tuolumne County - c1904 - Knights Templar Mason's Brass Badge :
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A shield-shaped Fob. At top is: San Francisco/ Sept. 1904. Beneath this is an encircled picture of Spanish conquistadors, one kneeling beside the ocea
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 50.00 - 100.00
Sold to 8***8 for (25.00 + 4.38BP) = 29.38
 
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Tahoe Vista,CA - Placer County - c1900-1920 - Lake Tahoe Ephemera Collection :3367 - Tahoe Vista,CA - Placer County - c1900-1920 - Lake Tahoe Ephemera Collection :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Lot of five pieces: 1) A 1929 legal transcript of the case of Frank H. Buck, Plaintiff, vs. Brockway-Tahoe-Vista Company in the Superior Court of Cali
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to 8***8 for (110.00 + 19.25BP) = 129.25
 
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Truckee,CA - Nevada County - c. 1880 - Mule Train Pulling Timber Photograph :3368 - Truckee,CA - Nevada County - c. 1880 - Mule Train Pulling Timber Photograph :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Photograph measures 8 ¼ x 5’’ on tan matte. Matte is slightly worn with pin holes in the upper right and lower left corner and a tear on the le...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to 9***8 for (100.00 + 17.50BP) = 117.50
 
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Truckee,CA - Placer County - c1900-1920 - Truckee Area RPC Group :3369 - Truckee,CA - Placer County - c1900-1920 - Truckee Area RPC Group :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Lot of 3 RPCs. 1) Group of fishermen showing their catches and hunters with rifles standing on the deck of a wooden cabin with pine trees in the backg
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
 
 
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Truckee,CA - Placer County - 1914-1975 - Truckee-Tahoe Maps :3370 - Truckee,CA - Placer County - 1914-1975 - Truckee-Tahoe Maps :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Four Lots. 1) "Truckee - Carson Irrigation Project" - 1914. Picture of "The Great Lahontan Dam" on front cover. Description of t...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to 9***4 for (50.00 + 8.75BP) = 58.75
 
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Tuolumne,CA - Tuolumne County - c1904 - California Real Photo Postcards :3371 - Tuolumne,CA - Tuolumne County - c1904 - California Real Photo Postcards :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Lot of two different real photo cards. One shows the a view of the city, including the rail yards, nestled between some low hills. No postmark. Publis
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 38.00 | Estimate : 75.00 - 150.00
 
 
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Tuolumne County,CA - Tuolumne Co. Documents :3372 - Tuolumne County,CA - Tuolumne Co. Documents :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Lot of four. 1) Stock: Tuolomne Co. Water Co. Issued to Jack Grazier Dec. 19, 1854. Signed by Secr. And Pres. The water company was an early need in t
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to 9***1 for (100.00 + 17.50BP) = 117.50
 
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Visalia,CA - Tulare County - 1870 - Wells Fargo San Juan CA Express Cover :3373 - Visalia,CA - Tulare County - 1870 - Wells Fargo San Juan CA Express Cover :
Holabird-Kagin Americana
Wells Fargo Express envelope c1870. This envelope was addressed to Juan Slalarin Esq. of the San Luis Ranch in Merced County, California via Visalia.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 50.00 - 150.00
Sold to 9***1 for (25.00 + 4.38BP) = 29.38
 
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