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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Rare Wooden Gold Balance Set with Weights [178718]4221 - Rare Wooden Gold Balance Set with Weights [178718]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Choice gold balance set, complete with rare weight sets, one in troy ounces and penny weights. Scales stand on a wooden box which measures 15.5"...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 500.00 - 1,000.00
Sold to r**4 for (250.00 + 62.50BP) = 312.50
 
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Troemner Assay Balance, Encased, 12" Beam [173119]4222 - Troemner Assay Balance, Encased, 12" Beam [173119]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Large table top Troemner assay balance with a 12" beam. 26" long, 23.5" tall. double post, side to side adjustable slide beams at top...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 500.00 | Estimate : 1,000.00 - 2,500.00
 
 
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Wood Encased Balance Scale [175396]4223 - Wood Encased Balance Scale [175396]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Beautiful hardwood cased balance scale. Measures 2.5"x 9"x 9" and has some slight blemishes on wood. A very elegant piece. Please see...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 1,000.00 | Estimate : 2,000.00 - 3,000.00
 
 
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Miners Eagle Gold Pocket Scale [168552]4224 - Miners Eagle Gold Pocket Scale [168552]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
German orange metal case, 6x3.25". Brass scale with 2x .5 troy oz. and 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and .5 pennyweights, dwt. and smaller 2, 3, 4, 5 grains...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold to U**6 for (150.00 + 37.50BP) = 187.50
 
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Assayers Pocket Scale and Weights [168540]4225 - Assayers Pocket Scale and Weights [168540]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Brown wood cased No. 5a assay scale by H Kohlsbusch, New-York. Weights from 1-5 plus small strips. Case 1.25x6x2.75', inscribed N C Morris'...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold to r**4 for (180.00 + 45.00BP) = 225.00
 
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Production of Gold & Silver in 1895 in the U.S. by Preston, 1896 [126860]4226 - Production of Gold & Silver in 1895 in the U.S. by Preston, 1896 [126860]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Not only talks about gold and silver production in the United states, but in the world. Statistics of each state by county. Nice section on mining in
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 95.00 | Estimate : 190.00 - 350.00
 
 
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Production of Gold & Silver in the U.S.  1886-1900 [171299]4227 - Production of Gold & Silver in the U.S. 1886-1900 [171299]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
4 volumes of Director of the Mint Reports related to the production of precious metals. Printed in 1886, 1888, 1898-detaching cover at spine, 1901.
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
 
 
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Production of Gold & Silver in the United States 1882 [178767]4228 - Production of Gold & Silver in the United States 1882 [178767]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Hardcover book: Report of the Director of the Mint upon the statistics of the production of the Precious Metals in the United States. Published by Gov
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
 
 
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Production of Gold and Silver in the United States, 1883-1900, 14 Vols [178877]4229 - Production of Gold and Silver in the United States, 1883-1900, 14 Vols [178877]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
These volumes are produced by the director of the United States mint, and have critical production reports of each of the minutes, from the production
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 350.00 | Estimate : 700.00 - 1,000.00
 
 
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Carson City Mint Cloth Bag Repros, 5 [177809]4230 - Carson City Mint Cloth Bag Repros, 5 [177809]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
5 cloth US Mint/Carson City/Nevada coin bags. Probably made by Don Schmitz as a promo item in the 1970's. 11x5.5".
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 120.00 - 200.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (95.00 + 23.75BP) = 118.75
 
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Director of the Mint Annual Reports 1912-1913 [178478]4231 - Director of the Mint Annual Reports 1912-1913 [178478]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Two hardbound volumes: Annual Report of the Director of the Mint for the fiscal year 1912 & 1913. Published at the Washington Government Printin...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
 
 
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Director of the Mint Report, 1897 [178438]4232 - Director of the Mint Report, 1897 [178438]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Report of the Director of the Mint Upon the Production of the Precious Metals in the US During the Calendar Year of 1897. 404pp with index.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 50.00 - 70.00
Sold to c********e for (25.00 + 6.25BP) = 31.25
 
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U.S.  Mint Pamphlets, 1872-81 [173863]4233 - U.S. Mint Pamphlets, 1872-81 [173863]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1) Annual Report of the Director of the Mint 1872. 2)Transaction of Business of the Mint and Assay Offices,1874. 3) Report of the Commission of Charge
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
 
 
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$25 American Eagle Gold 2003 [178647]4234 - $25 American Eagle Gold 2003 [178647]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
PCGS certified MS 69 2003 $25 American Eagle gold. One half ounce fine gold.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 1,500.00
Sold to j*****d for (1,300.00 + 325.00BP) = 1,625.00
 
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American Gold Eagle Pendant [178768]4235 - American Gold Eagle Pendant [178768]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
2014 American Gold $50 one ounce gold piece in a reeded bezel with 30 inch 14 carat chain (chain weighs 27.7 grams) with barrel clasp. Coin with bezel
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 3,000.00 - 5,000.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (3,600.00 + 900.00BP) = 4,500.00
 
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Satchmo Louis Armstrong Silver Bar [179277]4236 - Satchmo Louis Armstrong Silver Bar [179277]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Made by Silver Creations Limited in 1973, in a red hard shell case: Tribute to the Father of Jazz Louis Armstrong. Limited edition of 4000 in silver,
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 60.00 - 100.00
Sold to d*******f for (90.00 + 22.50BP) = 112.50
 
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Silver Rounds [178779]4237 - Silver Rounds [178779]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Three one ounce silver rounds: 1) American Minting of Provo Utah Bicentennial: George Washington and Richard Nixon; with original brochure; 2) Celebra
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 80.00 - 100.00
Sold to d*******f for (70.00 + 17.50BP) = 87.50
 
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U.S. Assay Office Silver Ingot [179022]4238 - U.S. Assay Office Silver Ingot [179022]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Silver Boom (the time of the Hunt Brothers) Ingot! Minted from U. S. Strategic Stockpile Silver formerly stored at U. S. Assay Office San Francisco,
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold to d*******f for (375.00 + 93.75BP) = 468.75
 
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Silver Ingots and Brass Tags, El Mochito Mine, Honduras [178284]4239 - Silver Ingots and Brass Tags, El Mochito Mine, Honduras [178284]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
The El Mochito is an underground, silver-zinc mine in the northwest section of Honduras in Central America. Discovered in 1938, production began in 19
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 700.00 - 1,500.00
Sold to s*****e for (475.00 + 97.38BP) = 572.38
 
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Oxford Alaska Silver Ingots [178776]4240 - Oxford Alaska Silver Ingots [178776]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Two one ounce .999 silver ingots made by Oxford Assaying & Refining of Alaska. Oxford is the only Alaska gold refiner, precious metals dealer &...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 60.00 - 100.00
Sold to j********g for (120.00 + 30.00BP) = 150.00
 
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