RENO, Nev. – Holabird Western Americana Collections’ five-day Autumn Splendor Western Americana Auction, held October 28-November 1, contained more than 3,200 lots of Americana, railroadiana, mining collectibles, numismatics, stock certificates, rare books and art. By the time it was all over, the auction had grossed about $500,000.

Day 1, October 28, featured general Americana, led by Alaska and Wyoming collectibles and also Part 1 of the MacKenzie Montana collection, as well as bottles, saloon and cigar items, marbles and toys. Sold that day was a nearly complete pair of 1920s-era Levi jeans, found in the Empire Mine at Tombstone, Arizona, next to the Toughnut Mine. The jeans gaveled for $625.

Also sold on Day 1 was a pair of trays, one for Old Judge Whiskey and one for Wieland’s Beer, which were sold as one lot for $625; and a Wells Fargo & Company receipt for a shipment of two boxes of gold dust valued at $6,794, transported in 1869 from Helena, Montana to New York City, handwritten “Paid” and showing no vignette. It realized $562.

Day 2, October 29, featured Part II of the general Americana selection, featuring gaming, circus and cowboy collectibles, jewelry, general foreign, books, Montana directories, firearms, militaria and political memorabilia. A top lot was a group of six vintage gaming chips, representing Harrah’s (one yellow and one red), Harvey’s Lake Tahoe, Sahara Tahoe, Sahara Las Vegas and the Andre Club. Together they sold for $3,875.

Other Day 2 star lots included a collection of more than 165 original hand-tinted Japanese photographs from the Meiji Era (1868-1912). Most were large-format, and they were contained in four albums and three small envelopes, and changed hands for $3,125.

Also of note was a 1922 hippo-themed circus poster announcing The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Combined Shows. It achieved $1,062.

Day 3, October 30, presented 661 lots of art and advertising, Native Americana, transportation (air, auto, steamer, railroadiana and passes), ephemera, keys, lamps and model trains. Eager bidders battled for a hollow silver bead necklace with six bear claws capped with silver adornments, which also had a central turquoise cabochon set in silver; it realized $1,562.

Day 4, October 31, included mining ephemera and collectibles, stocks and bonds (mining, oil, railroad, autographs, early American and Express), and numismatics (ingots, currency, scrip, ephemera, coins, medals, so-called dollars and tokens). An 1898-S $20 Liberty Head gold piece belt buckle and Western belt by Silver Creek Collection hit $2,500.

Two Day 4 lots finished with identical selling prices of $3,125. One was a 1947 50-peso Mexican gold coin with a 14K bezel, the coin being in almost uncirculated condition. The other was a stock certificate in the amount of one share, for the Silverton Northern Railroad Company, issued to Cora M. Pitcher on Oct. 24, 1921, signed by company president Otto Mears.

Day 5, Monday, November 1, offered philatelic (postcards, covers and stamps), and bargains and dealer specials (general Americana, stocks and bonds, and numismatics). Bags of nickels proved irresistible to bidders: a bag of 4,000 Buffalo nickels (1913-1938), weighing 43 pounds, went for $3,250, while a bag of 4,060 Liberty nickels (1883-1912), weighing 41 pounds, brought $3,000.

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