Wild West Relics Auction April 2024

Auction CurrencyUSD Auction Location3555 Airway Drive Suite 308, Reno, Nevada, 89511, United States In Person PreviewPreview

Auction Details

April, 2024 HWAC Auction -Another Potential Million Dollar Sale of Rare Americana!
-Fred Holabird

Welcome everybody to our next live auction. Th sale closely follows a timed auction two weeks ago that saw a lot of action, with some good rarities as well as some great buys!
As we plow through the start of 2024, we find ourselves moving the rare collectibles into our live sales, while moving the rare lesser expensive items to the timed sales, which are getting more and more popular by the month.

April is no exception, as 2300 lots are up for grabs, again featuring many one of a kind discoveries and great rarities. When I write these introductions to the sales, it gets harder and harder to know where to start and how to structure the essay because of the sheer huge variety of collectible genres present in our sales. We easily offer at least 60 different categories!!

So this time, lets start with some of my favorite “discoveries,” which is impossible for me to place in my relative order of “wow!” effect. Top ten? Impossible! How about the top 20? ??

1. The Robert Matheson, Arizona Territory letter archive, c1883-1886, that discusses an Apache mine camp massacre, the “Bisbee massacre” and subsequent hangings. In more than 100 pp of letters, we get from the writer a very clear picture of the difficulties of life on the Arizona/Sonora mining frontier. See the Mining section.
2. Dr. Timothy Wilcox Arizona Territory (especially Ft. Huachuca) photograph archive, c 1860-1894. (see photography, antiquarian). Wilcox was an Army physician assigned to many of the western forts, particularly Ft. Huachuca and Ft. Niobrara. The photo archive has in excess of 350 original photos in one album alone, nearly all taken by Wilcox. He also traveled to Alaska and forts on the east coast before being assigned to Cuba for the Spanish-American War.
3. Goldwater Store Posse, Yuma/Tucson Photograph. Robert Paul was sent to Yuma to arrest one of the Goldwater Bros. for fraud. A large posse was sent, and the original mounted photo is a stunner. c1880.
4. Robert Paul ALS regarding a stagecoach robbery and murder. The sheriff made famous from the days of the Earps.
5. Famous Western artist Frederick Remington original c1903 prints. A remarkable discovery of original prints sold out of Remington’s own gallery with his gallery card still attached.
6. Barry & Patten embossed San Francisco whiskey bottle. This is the very first western whiskey merchant to place his product in an embossed bottle. They are exceptionally rare. This is a “crown jewel” for any western whiskey collector.
7. Frank Abadie, Eureka, Nevada knife edge coffin flask with full original label. Unquestionably one of the very top Nevada whiskey bottles of all time, and unique.
8. Maps. The map section is so darned good (spread between a map, antiquarian and mining sections) that I can’t pick just one. So I’ll pick the early “California as an Island” map. I know – some of you think California is an island anyway! This map has insets with it that make map reading from the 1700s exciting.. But the sections also contain rare Gold Rush period maps from two major collections.
9. Fort Weisport, c1756 map in which Ben Franklin was involved.
10. Boston Baseball Team stock certificates, 19teens. Stocks issued to and signed by the founders of the Boston baseball club (176376, etc)
11. Austin, Nevada Sack of Flour, Sanitary Commission autographed and signed petition of donations, original document for this very famous western mining charity event that made history. This document was thought lost to history. (169387)
12. Circa 1660 Ecumenical Farce, “Il Capitole del Frati” was banned by the Church before it was completed. This is a full edition, and may be the only full or complete piece known. Handwritten by the author.
13. Mining stock signed by famous California author Bret Harte. (136540). Author of “Luck of Roaring Camp” and other tales, Harte was a near contemporary of Sam Clemens in the California gold camps.
14. Fraser River Gold Rush glass negative collection (179017). A large collection of photographs, probably unpublished, of one or more trips from Vancouver north by steamer to the mining camps of the Fraser River region. The high quality images show the store sign fronts that allows for the identification.
15. Inventor of the Electric Car, Fritchie, 1903, archive. An incredible discovery of his personal papers and photographs. Exceptionally appropriate as the world finally moves toward electric cars, albeit 120 years later.
16. Hayden Survey, 9 Volumes. This remarkable multi-year expedition along parts of the American/Canadian border is well recorded and very rare. (178878)
17. Truckee Basin Directory, 1883. A great Tahoe rarity.
18. Giant Green Fluorite, (149346). One of the many outstanding mineral specimens in the sale, and a very colorful one!
19. Spectacular very dark blue turquoise squash blossom necklace (Navajo). This is the very deep blue color that was so popular in the 1980s and doesn’t seem to have been found in turquoise mines since then.
20. Virgina & Truckee Railroad Lantern. A near-mint example is among about 50 different railroad lamps (and more railroad china!). Be sure and watch for our next two sales (including timed), as we will be selling two of the best railroad pass collections ever offered at auction- the “Ron Lerch” and “Western Railroad” collections.

That’s quite a list! But its all here, with tons more great items, spread over four days – this time on a pair of successive weekend days so you don’t have to be troubled by auctions while at work.

We are always on the lookout for major collections! Please call us. 775 851-1859 or our toll free number 844 492-2766

DAY 1 - Sat, Apr 6 Lots 1000-1563
Art (1001-1098)
Jewelry (1099-1130)
Native Americana (1131-1271)
Maps (1272-1337) also see mining on day 5
World's Fair/Expositions (1338-1344)
Books (1345-1451)
Autographs (1452-1454)
Photographs (1456-1558)
Wilcox, Photo archive, c1860-1910
Tools (1559-1563)

DAY 2 - Sun, Apr 7 Lots 2000-2580
3d Collectibles (2000-2013)
Clocks (2014-2020)
Musical (2021-2022)
Furnishings (2023-2025)
Clothing (2026-2027)
Collectibles & Flatware (2028-2045)
Advertising (2046-2067)
General Store (2068-2084)
Bottles (2085-2166)
Saloon (2167-2181)
Gaming (2183-2190)
Tobacianna (2191-2199)
Cowboy (2200-2219)
Entertainment (2220-2263)
Circus, Toys. sports (2264-2295)
Transportation/Railroad (2296-2396)
Political (2397-2422)
Military (2423-2460)
Firearms & Weaponry (2461-2527)
General Ephemera (2528-2580)

DAY 3 - Sat, Apr 13 Lots 3000-3517
Stocks & Bonds (3001-3517)
Banking (3001-3024)
Mining (3025-3296)
Industry & Oil (3297-3366)
Railroad & Transportation (3367-3427)
Other (3428-3517)

DAY 4 - Sun, Apr 14 Lots 4000-4666
Minerals (4001-4032)
Mining (4033-4226)
Artifacts (4033-4041)
Ephemera (4042-4220)
Scales (4221-4225)
Numismatics (4226-4409)
Tokens (4410-4431)
Philatelic (4432-4566)
Stamps (4432-4458)
Covers (4458-4474)
WF/Express (4475-4519)
Postcards (4520-4566)
This auction will be split into 2 weekends. Please don't ask for your invoice until all sessions are completed. Thanks in advance for your understanding.

Shipping is billed separately. Pay your auction invoice early as purchases are packed in the order payments are received. Pick-up must be scheduled 24 hours in advance when you receive your shipping preference email after the auction. Invoices will go out immediately after all sessions the auction end.

Choose Your Layout > Switch to Grid View Switch to List View
Steer Head Beaded Hanging Art by Ted Garnett [170968]1161 - Steer Head Beaded Hanging Art by Ted Garnett [170968]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Hanging beaded steer head art by Ted Garnett, Pine Ridge, SD as identified by a small brass plate on the lower left. Bright blue, red, grey, black, wh
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (225.00 + 56.25BP) = 281.25
 
Details...Bookmark
Oglala Painted Cow Skulls (4) 1990s [170891]1162 - Oglala Painted Cow Skulls (4) 1990s [170891]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Painted cow skulls from Oglala artists. They range in size from 19" to 23" and all but one are brightly painted. One is stampe3d BLWM, ano...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 500.00 - 1,200.00
Sold to V******y for (180.00 + 45.00BP) = 225.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Hopi Eagle Dancer Kachina 1980s [177953]1163 - Hopi Eagle Dancer Kachina 1980s [177953]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A Hopi Eagle Dancer Kachina, hand carved by Arron Honani from the Hopi Reservation near Flagstaff, Arizona. Eagle Katsina dolls might be considered o
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 800.00 - 2,000.00
Sold to b*******n for (650.00 + 162.50BP) = 812.50
 
Details...Bookmark
Indian Jewelry [178771]1164 - Indian Jewelry [178771]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Two belt buckles and earrings in Indian style. Kokopelli earrings; one blue turquoise earring. Rectangular belt buckle 3 x 2 inches, to hold an inch a
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
Sold to C*****r for (120.00 + 30.00BP) = 150.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Belt Buckle, Azurite & Malachite  [178571]1165 - Belt Buckle, Azurite & Malachite [178571]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Rectangular silver or silver plate belt buckle with Bisbee azurite and malachite with other stones. Hand crafted, possibly Zuni. 1.75x3". Bisbe...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold to d*******f for (200.00 + 50.00BP) = 250.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Belt Buckle with Turquoise [177875]1166 - Belt Buckle with Turquoise [177875]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Nickel silver rectangular belt buckle, about 2x3.25" with 3 of 4 very fine deep blue turquoise stones, around 5/8" each.
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
 
 
Details...Bookmark
Belt Buckle-Concho, Sterling  [177874]1167 - Belt Buckle-Concho, Sterling [177874]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Sterling silver concho belt buckle signed Bar CB, 2.25x3.25". Nice condition.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
Sold to C*****r for (110.00 + 27.50BP) = 137.50
 
Details...Bookmark
Belt Buckle, Malachite / Silver  [177877]1168 - Belt Buckle, Malachite / Silver [177877]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Malachite on silver belt buckle, vintage origin, unmarked maker, 2.25x3.25".
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold to d*******f for (150.00 + 37.50BP) = 187.50
 
Details...Bookmark
Bolo Tie Chrysoprase (Green Turquoise) [178774]1169 - Bolo Tie Chrysoprase (Green Turquoise) [178774]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
From the Silversmith shops of Colonial Williamsburg, in original box: a green turquoise bolo tie. Chrysoprase stone is encased in silver stamped &qu...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to d*******f for (250.00 + 62.50BP) = 312.50
 
Details...Bookmark
Lakota Elkhorn Bolos (2) [170870]1170 - Lakota Elkhorn Bolos (2) [170870]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Elkhorn bolo ties (2) carved by Lakota artist James Under Baggage. Each measure about 3" across. One has the carving of a buffalo skull, the ot...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 350.00 - 500.00
Sold to C*****r for (130.00 + 32.50BP) = 162.50
 
Details...Bookmark
Bracelet & Earring, Silver & Turquoise [179025]1171 - Bracelet & Earring, Silver & Turquoise [179025]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Tiny unmarked silver and turquoise bracelet. Stone is 10 x 20 mm; 13.6 grams. Tiny earrings with three small rectangular stones just a couple of mm lo
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 200.00
Sold to V******y for (95.00 + 23.75BP) = 118.75
 
Details...Bookmark
Bracelet, Coral   [157622]1172 - Bracelet, Coral [157622]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This bracelet is set with 12 pieces of dark red coral on a very attractive sterling silver band with a rope edge and accented with a silver leaf at ea
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 600.00 - 700.00
Sold to d*******f for (325.00 + 81.25BP) = 406.25
 
Details...Bookmark
Bracelet, Sterling & Turquoise  [178960]1173 - Bracelet, Sterling & Turquoise [178960]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Silver bracelet with 3 about .75x.6" turquoise stones. Bracelet measures 1.75x3". Not marked, probably Sterling. No maker mark. 49.9 grams...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to V******y for (100.00 + 25.00BP) = 125.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Navajo Bear Claw Necklace [157633]1174 - Navajo Bear Claw Necklace [157633]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This is a great looking Navajo made Bear Claw Necklace accented with a nice piece of Coral and Turquoise and finished off with a sterling silver leaf
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 275.00 | Estimate : 550.00 - 650.00
 
 
Details...Bookmark
Navajo Bumble Bee Jasper Necklace Set [157625]1175 - Navajo Bumble Bee Jasper Necklace Set [157625]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This is a very nicely matched Navajo made Bumble Bee Jasper necklace set presented on a strand of antiqued Navajo sterling silver pearls, the pendant
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 550.00 - 650.00
Sold to d*******f for (500.00 + 125.00BP) = 625.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Navajo Crazy Horse Bracelet   [157623]1176 - Navajo Crazy Horse Bracelet [157623]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This is a Crazy Horse Tufa cast silver bracelet built and signed by Navajo Silversmith F.L. Begay, Crazy Horse is a natural stone consisting of magnes
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 250.00 - 350.00
Sold to D*K for (150.00 + 37.50BP) = 187.50
 
Details...Bookmark
Navajo Peyote Bird Silver Chip Inlay Necklace [179055]1177 - Navajo Peyote Bird Silver Chip Inlay Necklace [179055]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A really impressive c. late 1970's Navajo silver, unmarked but likely Sterling, necklace with turquoise and coral chip inlays on the Peyote Bird...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,200.00 - 2,300.00
Sold to d*******f for (700.00 + 175.00BP) = 875.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Navajo Sonoran Gold Bracelet [157620]1178 - Navajo Sonoran Gold Bracelet [157620]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This is a beautiful 5 stone Sonoran Gold Turquoise bracelet set in a fully engraved heavy sterling silver band by Navajo maker June Defauito, this pie
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 450.00 - 600.00
Sold to d*******f for (375.00 + 93.75BP) = 468.75
 
Details...Bookmark
Navajo Sonoran Gold Feather Necklace w/Turquoise [157630]1179 - Navajo Sonoran Gold Feather Necklace w/Turquoise [157630]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This is a sterling silver feather set with a piece of Sonoran Gold Turquoise by Navajo June Defauito, the pendant is suspended from a strand of antiqu
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 250.00 - 350.00
Sold to V******y for (125.00 + 31.25BP) = 156.25
 
Details...Bookmark
Navajo Sonoran Gold Pendant Necklace  [157621]1180 - Navajo Sonoran Gold Pendant Necklace [157621]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Another great piece of the very popular Sonoran Gold Turquoise set in a sterling silver pendant by Navajo maker Thomas Francisco, this piece is signed
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 550.00 - 650.00
Sold to Y******o for (325.00 + 81.25BP) = 406.25
 
Details...Bookmark