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Holabird’s Western Americana Auction Results

RENO, NV – A California Gold Rush-era bond from 1856 signed by A historic, original 1909 Wild
Cornelius Vanderbilt sold for $11,250, a photo of the execution hanging West poster for “Pawnee Bill’s
of outlaw Fleming “James” Parker taken in 1898 brought $9,062, and a Great Far East combined with
gorgeous circa 1880-1920 Red Mesa Navajo rug in near-perfect condition Buffalo Bill’s Wild West,” adver-
rose to $5,000 at a huge, five-day Western Americana Signature Sale held tising the show’s “Marvelous
May 13th thru 17th by Holabird Western Americana Collections, online Musical Elephants,” 30 inches by
and live in the Reno gallery at 3555 Airway Drive. 40 inches mounted on linen,
This auction was brimming with over 3,000 lots of historical auto- knocked down for $4,375
graphs, gold nuggets and high-grade gold specimens, minerals and mining Day 4, May 16th, was dedi-
collectibles, rare reference books, firearms and militaria, numismatics, cated to Native Americana and
stock and bond certificates, silver ingots, Native Americana, gaming general Americana and was
collectibles, firefighting memorabilia, artwork, turquoise jewelry, medals, arguably the most active day of
tokens and more. the auction. A magnificent oil on
Day 1 featured original artwork, stocks and bonds (including mining canvas advertising painting for
and non-mining) and autographs. The Vanderbilt-signed bond certificate, Moon Castle Whiskey (“Now Serving Here at Tombstone’s Own
as president of the Accessory Transit Company of Nicaragua, which Birdcage Theater”), beautifully housed in a 22 1/2 inch by 27 inch frame,
transported gold prospectors from the East Coast to the West Coast, was went for $3,875. The painting was probably a fantasy advertisement,
the star lot of the day. Issued on Feb. 9, 1856 for $5,000, with early bond meant to attract people to Western saloons and the Western saloon
number 14, the bond was signed front and back by Vanderbilt. It was also historical concept, so popular in the 1960s and ‘70s.
signed by Isaac Lea as secretary. Day 5 featured general foreign, bottles, sports, and bargains and dealer
Day 2, on May 14th, showcased mining and mineral collectibles specials, to include general Americana, philatelic, stocks and bonds,
(including ore specimens and fossils), railroadiana and transportation, and numismatics and tokens. A rare and beautiful group of four Russian
philatelic (including covers, stamps and postcards). A top lot was a pair Orthodox Church bishop’s bells, made in Russia circa 1997-2000, was
of albums containing photographs and diazo copies of photos) of the offered as one lot. Bell ringing is a church tradition in Russia and the
construction of the concentrator and smelter by the Nevada Copper group finished at $3,250.
Corporation from 1907-1908 ($6,250). The facility processed copper ores Anyone owning a collection that might fit into an upcoming Holabird
from the mines around Ruth, Nevada, near Ely. Western Americana Collections auction is encouraged to get in touch.
Day 3 featured firearms, military and political memorabilia, cowboy The firm travels extensively throughout the United States, to assess and
and Western, jewelry, badges and numismatics (ingots, coins, medals, pick up collections. The company has agents all over America and will
so-called dollars and tokens). A silver ingot weighing 5.15 troy oz., travel to inspect most collections.
engraved from Julius A. Turrill (White River / Pioche, Nev.), who owned To consign a single piece or a collection, you may call Fred Holabird
stock in the Comstock mines, to his nephew Clayton, circa 1874, changed at 775-851-1859 or 844-492-2766; or, you can send an e-mail to fredho-
hands for $5,875. labird@gmail.com. Visit www.holabirdamericana.com.

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