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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Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Stocks, 4, 1865-67 [177538]3501 - Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Stocks, 4, 1865-67 [177538]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
4 different issued 1865 and 3x 1867 Mutual Benefit Life Insurance stocks. Appears they did not issue a dividend in 1866. 2 1867 have stains, please in
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to O*********n for (60.00 + 15.00BP) = 75.00
 
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Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Stocks, 4, with Different Stamps [177537]3502 - Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Stocks, 4, with Different Stamps [177537]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Issued 1867 Mutual Benefit Life Insurance stocks with 4 different adhesive revenue stamps. 10c blue Washington-certificate, bill of lading, contract.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to O*********n for (60.00 + 15.00BP) = 75.00
 
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Natural Gas Stock and Bond Collection, 18 [177415]3503 - Natural Gas Stock and Bond Collection, 18 [177415]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
15 stocks and 3 bonds from natural gas companies, c. 1880-1948. Bonds-1929 Wayne United Gas, 1880 Arlington Gas, 1920 Keystone Auto Gas. Stocks-Bay St
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 250.00
Sold to O*********n for (40.00 + 10.00BP) = 50.00
 
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Phoenix Insurance Stock Pair with 2 Different Revenue Stamps [177535]3504 - Phoenix Insurance Stock Pair with 2 Different Revenue Stamps [177535]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
issued 1862 and 1864 Phoenix Insurance stocks. Each has a brown 25c Washington adhesive revenue stamp, internal revenue bond and certificate. Ken
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to d*******f for (100.00 + 25.00BP) = 125.00
 
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Phoenix Insurance Stock Pair, c. 1856-63 [177534]3505 - Phoenix Insurance Stock Pair, c. 1856-63 [177534]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Issued 1856 and 1863 Phoenix Insurance stocks. Ken Prag Collection
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
Sold to O*********n for (20.00 + 5.00BP) = 25.00
 
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Phonograph Collection Stocks (9) [177333]3506 - Phonograph Collection Stocks (9) [177333]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A collection of nine different stock certificates related to the phonograph industry, c18XX-1921. Montana Phonograph Company, incorp. Montana, 1889, u
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
Sold to O*********n for (40.00 + 10.00BP) = 50.00
 
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Lot Withdrawn3507 - Lot Withdrawn
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot Withdrawn
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Radio - Stock Certificate Collection (16) [177010]3508 - Radio - Stock Certificate Collection (16) [177010]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A collection of 16 different stock certificates related to the radio industry, c1924-81. Ten with vignettes. See photo(s) for more details. Ken P
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (80.00 + 20.00BP) = 100.00
 
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Shipping Lot Stocks/Bond Boats in Vignettes (18) [177329]3509 - Shipping Lot Stocks/Bond Boats in Vignettes (18) [177329]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A lot of 18 includes 17 stocks and one bond with boats in their vignettes, some duplicates, c1908-77. See photo(s) for more details. Ken Prag Col
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 500.00
Sold to O*********n for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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Soda Pop Stock Collection, 35 [174712]3510 - Soda Pop Stock Collection, 35 [174712]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
About 35 c. 1941-71 soda pop stocks. Pepsi, General Beverage, Charles E Hires, Lime Cola, Mavis Bottling, Hoffman Products etc. Ken Prag Collecti
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold to O*********n for (90.00 + 22.50BP) = 112.50
 
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Stocks and Bonds - A Steal! [177225]3511 - Stocks and Bonds - A Steal! [177225]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A large random group of approximately 85 stock certificates and bonds (includes two bonds), from the 1800's through the 1960's. It was the e...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to d*********m for (170.00 + 42.50BP) = 212.50
 
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Stores - Siegel Stock Cert. 1911 [177014]3512 - Stores - Siegel Stock Cert. 1911 [177014]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Siegel Stores Corporation stock certificate, incorp. Delaware, No. 0530, 30 shares, issued to James Baum, 1911, signed by President Henry Siegel and t
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
Sold to p******n for (20.00 + 5.00BP) = 25.00
 
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Stove Stocks, 5 [177082]3513 - Stove Stocks, 5 [177082]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
5 issued stove stocks-1930 Continental green, 1924 Ironton, 1907 Glazier, 1930 Continental orange, 1921 Cleveland Co-Operative-fair condition. Ke
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to O*********n for (20.00 + 5.00BP) = 25.00
 
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Theatre - Stock and Bond Collection (19) [176714]3514 - Theatre - Stock and Bond Collection (19) [176714]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A collection of 18 different stock certificates and one bond related to theatre, c1920-1981. Please see photo(s) for more details. Ken Prag Colle
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
Sold to t******2 for (60.00 + 15.00BP) = 75.00
 
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TV - Stock Certificate Collection (23) [176775]3515 - TV - Stock Certificate Collection (23) [176775]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A collection of 23 different stock certificates related to the television industry, covering 18 companies, c1932-73. Ken Prag Collection
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to o********r.. for (65.00 + 16.25BP) = 81.25
 
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Union Mutual Insurance Stocks with Stamps, 6, c. 1864-65 [177489]3516 - Union Mutual Insurance Stocks with Stamps, 6, c. 1864-65 [177489]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
6 issued Union Mutual Insurance stocks, c. 1864-65. There are 6 different adhesive revenue stamps used for 1864 issue! Perhaps this illustrates how di
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 800.00
Sold to O*********n for (80.00 + 20.00BP) = 100.00
 
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Union Mutual Insurance Stocks, 11 Different, c. 1864-76 [177531]3517 - Union Mutual Insurance Stocks, 11 Different, c. 1864-76 [177531]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
11 different issued Union Mutual Insurance stocks. c. 1864-76 only missing 1867 and 1868. Ken Prag Collection
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 600.00 - 1,200.00
Sold to O*********n for (160.00 + 40.00BP) = 200.00
 
Details...Bookmark