Holabird serves smorgasbord of bargains, June 2-5

RENO, Nev. – Holabird Western Americana Collections, LLC will hold a four-day Minerals Galore & Western Americana Auction, June 2 through June 5, starting at 8 am Pacific time on all four days. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

Day 1, taking place Thursday, June 2, is notable because bargains and dealer lots – which had been offered on the last day of Holabird’s multi-day sales in the past – have proven so popular they will kick off this event, with 155 lots in total. Other categories will include militaria (Civil War, World Wars I and II, etc.), firearms and weaponry, general Americana, toys, collectibles, art and Native Americana.

A Day 1 highlight lot is a lot of four diplomas and certificates from Montana schools, including a 1927 document from Mt. St. Charles College (now Carroll College) in Helena; a 1922 paper from Chinook High School; a University of Montana Pharmaceutical Chemist degree issued in 1921; and a Bachelor of Arts degree from 1928. This group is estimated at $160-$400. Also appearing on Day 1 is a group of nine travel-themed Hummel figurines from West Germany, ranging in size from four to six inches tall. The Hummel figurines are estimated at $120-$200.

Day 2, scheduled for Friday, June 3, will feature material from the entertainment industry (autographs, music, etc.), sports, Black Americana, cowboy, fraternal organizations, gaming, model railroading, political, tobacco, saloon, beer and liquor, bottles and marbles, tools, World’s Fairs, jewelry and watches, philatelic (postcards, revenue stamps, stamps, postal history) and photography – 565 lots in all.

An expected Day 2 high achiever is a 1940s-era, 8 by 10in color photograph of the legendary baseball player Joe DiMaggio, shown striking a batting stance in his New York Yankees uniform. The photo is inscribed to “Marita” and the signature is crisp and clear. DiMaggio grew up in Martinez, California, the son of a fisherman. He went on to earn a place in the Baseball Hall of Fame and was briefly married to Marilyn Monroe. The inscribed DiMaggio photo is estimated at $200-$350.

Also up for bid on Day 2 is a vintage circular metal tip tray, most likely from the late 19th century, decorated with an image of a young woman with flower earrings and estimated at $100-$150; and a collection of philatelic die and plate proofs of the 1873 series – 18 stamps in all, collectively estimated at $100-$500. Three of the one-cent varieties are overprinted with the word “Specimen.”

Day 3, happening on Saturday, June 4, will feature furnishings and decor, minerals (including display minerals), fossils, gold and ore, mining lots (ephemera and equipment), numismatics, bullion, coins, currency, ephemera and exonumia (numismatic items other than coins and paper money, such as tokens, medals or scrip).

A Day 3 highlight represents what might be the best collection of primary source documents related to James B. Leahy, a prominent figure in Montana’s mining industry. He was a stock promoter in Butte and other towns and was involved in the ownership and management of several mining companies. The circa-1884-1894 archive consists of 16 binders in three boxes and includes hundreds of letters to Leahy and correspondence from family and friends. Its estimate is $5,000-$8,000.

Also being offered on Day 3 are two lots from the Chunlin Zhu collection: a carved wood tiger boasting a high polish, and a large amethyst cavern geode containing large deep purple amethyst crystals. Both lots carry identical estimates of $2,000-$3,000.

Day 4, set for Sunday, June 5, will feature books, maps, stocks and bonds (including mining and railroad) and transportation (including stagecoach, ships and railroad) – a total of 570 lots.

Day 4 features what could become the top lot of the auction: an Alta No. 2 Copper Mining Company stock certificate issued on Sept. 22, 1863, #162 for 50 shares to Leander Sawyer. The stock is noteworthy because it was signed by Frank Bret Harte as secretary. Bret Harte was an acclaimed American short story writer and poet, best remembered for short fiction featuring miners, gamblers and other romantic figures of the California Gold Rush. The stock certificate is estimated at $4,800-$10,000.

Also being sold on Day 4 are two city directories for Oakland, Alameda and Berkeley, California, one from 1886-1887, the other 1887-1888, together estimated at $320-$1,000. The directories give the names, occupations and residences of all adults, plus societies, associations and city governments. Also up for bid is a Carbonate King Mine (Montana) stock certificate, dated Oct. 5, 1888, issued to Nettie Wilson for 5,000 shares, signed by both the president and secretary. Its estimate is $240-$400.

Holabird Western Americana Collections, LLC is always seeking new and major collections to bring to market. To consign a single piece or a collection, call Fred Holabird at 775-851-1859 or 844-492-2766, or email fredholabird@gmail.com. To learn more about Holabird Western Americana Collections, LLC please visit www.holabirdamericana.com.

 

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