Holabird plans 3,200-lot auction spectacular, Oct. 28-Nov. 1

RENO, Nev. – Holabird Western Americana Collections’ five-day Autumn Splendor Western Americana Auction, October 28-November 1, is packed with more than 3,200 lots of Americana, railroadiana, mining collectibles, numismatics, stock certificates, rare books, art and more. Bidding begins at 8 am Pacific time on all five days. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

Day 1, on Thursday, October 28, will contain 651 lots of General Americana, led by Alaska and Wyoming collectibles and Part 1 of the MacKenzie Montana collection; bottles, saloon and cigar items; marbles and toys. A featured lot is a signed print of 1920s actress Nita Naldi by the iconic American artist Alberto Vargas, estimated at $3,500-$5,000. Signed prints by Vargas are very rare.

Also offered on Day 1 will be a pair of trays, one for Old Judge Whiskey and one for Wieland’s Beer, estimated at $1,000-$1,700.

Day 2, Friday, October 29, will have 632 lots, led by Part II of General Americana, featuring gaming, circus and cowboy collectibles, jewelry, general foreign material and books, which will include Montana directories and a fragment of Shakespeare’s First Folio, which could easily sell for $50,000-$100,000.

The work’s full official title is The First Part of Henry the Fourth, with the Life and Death of HENRY Sirnamed HOT-SPVRRE. The fragment represents one complete play (in a two-part production of Henry IV) that was published in 1623 in England, in the First Folio of William Shakespeare’s Comedies, Histories & Tragedies, Published according to True, Original Copies. The First Folio was reportedly compiled and edited by two of Shakespeare’s actors and friends, John Heminges and Henry Condell. It was printed in London by Isaac Jaggard and Edward Blount. The fragment has been rebound in bright red patent leather and consists of 13 pages printed on antique Renaissance rag paper, originally numbered 46, 49-62, and 65-73 in the First Folio.

As an original fragment of Shakespeare’s First Folio, these bound pages are, by very definition, unique. Nowhere else exists a copy of Shakespeare’s original, first, professionally published copy of The First Part of Henry the Fourth that is identical to this one, from the provenance to the unique watermark design to the old Renaissance rag paper and gold-trimmed red binding.

In September of this year, Dr. Eric Rasmussen, the University of Nevada/Reno Professor and Department Chair of English and Philosophy, a world-renowned Shakespearean scholar and one of the leading experts on Shakespeare’s First Folios, examined the fragment and authenticated it as an original 1623 fragment of Shakespeare’s First Folio. He added its value was “inestimable.”

Other Day 2 star lots will include the 1886 edition of The History of California in 23 volumes by Hubert Howe Bancroft, covering the history of the Golden State from 1542-1890, estimated at $2,000-$2,500, and a group of four first edition books, three of them classics by Dr. Seuss and one by P. D. Eastman, titled Are You My Mother, published in 1960. Together they are estimated at $2,500-$3,500.

Other Day 2 offerings will feature an undated Haag Bros. Circus poster printed on heavy canvas and boasting vibrant colors, estimated at $1,000-$4,000, and a Civil War-era Bowie presentation knife made in Sheffield and used by the 9th Corp. under Gen. Ambrose Burnside, acid etched with the phrase “Victory to Our Brave Volunteers” and estimated at $2,000-$3,000.

Day 3, Saturday, October 30, will feature 661 lots of art and advertising, Native Americana, transportation (air, auto, steamer, railroadiana and passes), ephemera, keys, lamps and model trains. A lot to watch is the hollow silver bead necklace with six bear claws capped with silver adornments, and also a central turquoise cabochon set in silver. It is estimated at $2,000-$4,000.

Day 4, Sunday, October 31, will be just as busy, with 618 lots of mining ephemera and collectibles, stocks and bonds (mining, oil, railroad and miscellaneous, as well as autographs, early American and Express), and numismatics (to include ingots, currency, scrip, ephemera, coins, medals, so-called dollars and tokens).

An expected Day 4 top achiever is a stock certificate signed by Bret Harte from 1863 for the Alta No. 2 Copper Mining Company of Del Norte County, California. This certificate was signed by the American short story writer and poet Bret Harte as secretary best. Harte was best known for his short fiction works featuring miners and gamblers of the California Gold Rush. The certificate is estimated at $6,000-$10,000.

Other Day 4 highlights include an 1898-S $20 Liberty Head gold piece belt buckle and Western belt by Silver Creek Collection, estimated at $3,000-$4,000, and a 1947 50-peso Mexican gold coin boasting 90 percent pure gold, with a 14-carat bezel. It is estimated at $2,600-$3,000.

Day 5, Monday, November 1, will offer 648 lots of philatelic (postcards, covers and stamps), and bargains and dealer specials, which include general Americana, stocks and bonds, and numismatics. Sold on Day 5 will be an 125-piece collection of postcards from the California counties of Humboldt and Del Norte, showing Northern California redwoods scenery along US 101. It is estimated at $300-$600.

To consign a single piece or a collection, you may call Fred Holabird at 775-851-1859 or 844-492-2766, or, you can send an e-mail to fredholabird@gmail.com.

 

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