Holabird Western Americana has prepared their May catalog with a fantastic and fun selection of buys for everyone. Over two days, there are over 900 lots to chose from, with both live and absentee bidding available with iCollector.com. This premier two-day sale includes a General George Custer collection featuring an Indian Capture carbine; other very rare firearms; choice Western ingots, gold nuggets and ore samples; rare numismatic items related to the SS Central America; rare Western tokens; mining reports from the 1830s-1880s; a world class offering of mining spoons; mining-related correspondence, photographs, and ephemera; a great selection of Native American baskets, rugs, and artifacts; saddles and spurs; and General Americana. The full breakdown of which items are on each day is available in the auction description in the online catalog.
An historical document is up for grabs at Lot 1214 on the first day of the sale. Up for bidding here is a Topographic and Geologic Atlas of the Black Hills of South Dakota from 1879. This exceptionally rare atlas volume which is approximately 2 x 3′ contains the well-known birdseye view of the Black Hills as well as topographic representations of the area and geology. This volume has been rebound with hard boards, marble with red leather binding and guilt lettering: c1920. Bidding opens at $1500 and this is estimated to sell on the auction block for up to $5000. This is a great piece of history and some great photos are available online.
One of the feature pieces of Native American work is ready for selling on the 2nd day at Lot 2010. This is a Lillie James Washoe basket which is absolutely beautiful. Lillie James (1885-1948) made this fabulous Washoe basket woven of willow, redbud, and bracken fern root over a single-rod foundation. The design features a series of birds, crossed logs, and diamond shapes circumscribing the body. It measures 10″ diameter and 6″ high. This basket is in excellent condition and is estimated to range in auction value from $20,000 to $25,000.
A premier saddle is hitting the auction block at Lot 2102, also on the 2nd day of the sale. This is a Caprila Silver trimmed Roping Saddle estimated in value from $2000 to $3000. This is a used saddle and was made by the famous J. M. Capriola Company in Elko following in the footsteps of Garcia. Although the store has changed hands over the years, its gear is still made with the same fine craftsmanship that Garcia was known for. Capriola’s bits and spurs are still made by Mexican craftsmen trained in the Garcia tradition and are the only bits and spurs in the world that carry the Garcia name. Bidding opens at $1000 for this highly desirable saddle. on auction day and the estimate is $35,000 to $40,000.
All items in the online catalog with full descriptions and images. The auction dates are Friday and Saturday May 13th, and 14th, 2016. The auctioneers hammer starts dropping at 9AM Pacific time on both auction days. Holabird Western Americana is pleased to offer services to answer any questions about the entire catalog as well as discuss consignments of any collection.