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.

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Frank Abadie Half Pint Coffin Whiskey Flask, Very Rare [178941]2121 - Frank Abadie Half Pint Coffin Whiskey Flask, Very Rare [178941]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Very rare clear half pint Frank Abadie/Wholesale Liquors/Eureka, Nev. coffin whiskey flask. c. 1884-1886. Abadie opened a Eureka saloon in 1884 on Mai
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,500.00 - 2,500.00
Sold to J********i.. for (750.00 + 187.50BP) = 937.50
 
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Frank Adabie Half Pint Pumpkinseed Pocket Flask [178949]2122 - Frank Adabie Half Pint Pumpkinseed Pocket Flask [178949]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Clear half pint Frank Abadie/Wholesale Liquors/Eureka, Nev. pumpkinseed whiskey flask. c. 1884-1886. Abadie opened a Eureka saloon in 1884 on Main Str
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to J********i.. for (325.00 + 81.25BP) = 406.25
 
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Frank Abadie Pint Pumpkinseed Whiskey Flask, Rare [178940]2123 - Frank Abadie Pint Pumpkinseed Whiskey Flask, Rare [178940]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Clear pint Frank Abadie/Wholesale Liquors/Eureka, Nev. pumpkinseed whiskey flask. c. 1884-1886. Abadie opened a Eureka saloon in 1884 on Main Street.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 2,000.00
Sold to J********i.. for (600.00 + 150.00BP) = 750.00
 
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Max Oberfelder Pint Coffin Whiskey Flask, Very Rare [178898]2124 - Max Oberfelder Pint Coffin Whiskey Flask, Very Rare [178898]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Very rare clear, Max Oberfelder/Eureka, Nev. pint coffin Whiskey flask as pictured on page 226 in Holabird Nevada Bottles Volume 1, although it is sta
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,500.00 - 2,500.00
Sold to J********i.. for (750.00 + 187.50BP) = 937.50
 
Details...Bookmark
H C Heidtmann Beckers Half Pint Coffin Bottle, Very Rare [178947]2125 - H C Heidtmann Beckers Half Pint Coffin Bottle, Very Rare [178947]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Very rare clear c. 1900-06 half pint H C Heidtmann/Becker's/Reno, Nev. coffin pocket whiskey flask. No net contents listed. Heidtmann took over ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,500.00 - 2,500.00
Sold to c********p for (1,200.00 + 300.00BP) = 1,500.00
 
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Mc Cullough Pharmacy Citrate Unique Bottle [178899]2126 - Mc Cullough Pharmacy Citrate Unique Bottle [178899]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
c. 1895-1905. Embossed within a circle, on the front of the bottle is: Mc Cullough's/ Pharmacy / Reno, Nevada . Extremely rare and unique. Larg...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold to 6********u.. for (475.00 + 118.75BP) = 593.75
 
Details...Bookmark
Nevada Packing Seltzer Bottle, Rare [178397]2127 - Nevada Packing Seltzer Bottle, Rare [178397]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Cobalt Property Of/Nevada Packing/Company/Reno, Nevada bottle. Very rare, were these Christmas gifts for clients? c. 1907-10. See page 104 in Holabird
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 250.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (170.00 + 42.50BP) = 212.50
 
Details...Bookmark
Nevada Packing Seltzer Bottle, Rare [178398]2128 - Nevada Packing Seltzer Bottle, Rare [178398]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Cobalt Property Of/Nevada Packing/Company/Reno, Nevada bottle. Very rare, were these Christmas gifts for clients? c. 1907-10. See page 104 in Holabird
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 250.00
Sold to p****s for (160.00 + 40.00BP) = 200.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Pioneer Soda Works Bottle [178393]2129 - Pioneer Soda Works Bottle [178393]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Aqua Pioneer Soda Works/Smith & Brian/Reno, NV applied top bottle. Smith and Brian were proprietors of the Pioneer Soda Works from 1900 to 1906....
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold to G**V for (250.00 + 62.50BP) = 312.50
 
Details...Bookmark
Reno Bottling Works Soda Bottles, 2 Different [178395]2130 - Reno Bottling Works Soda Bottles, 2 Different [178395]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Aqua and light aqua crown tops. RenoBottlingWorks/Reno. Smith and Brian were proprietors of the Pioneer Soda Works from 1900 to 1906. They advertised
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 120.00 - 150.00
Sold to 6********u.. for (70.00 + 17.50BP) = 87.50
 
Details...Bookmark
Waldorf & Tavern Whiskey 10 Oz. Pocket Flask [178942]2131 - Waldorf & Tavern Whiskey 10 Oz. Pocket Flask [178942]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Clear Waldorf/&/Tavern/Reno, Nevada/Net Contents 10 Oz. pocket flask. c. 1907-1910. The Waldorf was founded by John Davis on Virginia Street in ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 220.00 - 400.00
Sold to J********i.. for (140.00 + 35.00BP) = 175.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Waldorf & Tavern Whiskey 10 Oz. Pocket Flask [178943]2132 - Waldorf & Tavern Whiskey 10 Oz. Pocket Flask [178943]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Clear Waldorf/&/Tavern/Reno, Nevada. 10 Oz. pocket flask. c. pre 1906. The Waldorf was founded by John Davis on Virginia Street in Reno. This bo...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 260.00 - 400.00
Sold to c********p for (325.00 + 81.25BP) = 406.25
 
Details...Bookmark
Wielands Bottling Works, 3 Different [178392]2133 - Wielands Bottling Works, 3 Different [178392]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
3 different crown top Wielands/Bottling Works/Reno, Nev. They were in operation from 1902-18. See page 149 in Holabird Nevada Bottles Vol 1. 2 light a
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to J********i.. for (150.00 + 37.50BP) = 187.50
 
Details...Bookmark
Wine House Pumpkinseed Half Pint Flask, Fabulous! [178895]2134 - Wine House Pumpkinseed Half Pint Flask, Fabulous! [178895]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A very impressive half pint purple pumpkinseed flask. From/The/Wine House/Liquors & Cigars/Reno, Nev. c. 1895-1905. Owned by Spiro Farncovich, h...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 2,000.00
Sold to J********i.. for (600.00 + 150.00BP) = 750.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Wine House Whiskey Half Pint Pumpkinseed Flask, Fantastic! [178896]2135 - Wine House Whiskey Half Pint Pumpkinseed Flask, Fantastic! [178896]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A fantastic purple half pint pumpkinseed Whiskey flask. From Wine House/Liquors & Cigars/Reno, Nev. c. 1886-1895, this is the older variant. Own...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,200.00 - 2,000.00
Sold to J********i.. for (2,100.00 + 525.00BP) = 2,625.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Thos Taylor Regular Slug Plate Whiskey Bottle [178337]2136 - Thos Taylor Regular Slug Plate Whiskey Bottle [178337]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Amber whiskey fifth with regular slug plate. Thos Taylor & Co/Sole Agent/P. Vollmers/Old Bourbon/Louisville KY. Taylor supplied retailers, saloo...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to J********i.. for (120.00 + 30.00BP) = 150.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Thos. Taylor Sunken Panel Whiskey Bottle, Rare [178338]2137 - Thos. Taylor Sunken Panel Whiskey Bottle, Rare [178338]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Amber applied top fifth sunken panel whiskey bottle. Thos Taylor & Co/Sole Agent/P. Vollmers/Old Bourbon/Louisville KY. Taylor supplied retailer...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 400.00
Sold to 6********u.. for (120.00 + 30.00BP) = 150.00
 
Details...Bookmark
Gus Krinkle Aqua Bottles, 2 Different [178334]2138 - Gus Krinkle Aqua Bottles, 2 Different [178334]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
2 different Gus Krinkle crown top aqua and greenish aqua bottles with embossed G A K. 8" and 8.25". No apparent chips or cracks. Winnemuc...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
Sold to J********i.. for (70.00 + 17.50BP) = 87.50
 
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Gus Krinkle & Humboldt Soda Aqua Bottles, 2 Different [178335]2139 - Gus Krinkle & Humboldt Soda Aqua Bottles, 2 Different [178335]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Light aqua crown top Humboldt /Soda Works, 7.75" with base chip and ding. Aqua G A K applied top with 2 large lip chips. Please inspect. Humbo...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 60.00 | Estimate : 120.00 - 150.00
 
 
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G W Weston Mineral Water Bottle Pair [178576]2140 - G W Weston Mineral Water Bottle Pair [178576]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
2 G W Weston mineral water bottles, G. W. Weston/Saratoga/N. Y. Dark lime with lots of seed bubbles, 7.5". Medium green 9.25". No apparent...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to p********n for (140.00 + 35.00BP) = 175.00
 
Details...Bookmark