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Western Americana Auction #20
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Western States
Alaska-Arizona
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Colorado
Dakota, Idaho, Montana
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Eastern States, Foreign, Railroadiana, Western, Native American, Etc.
Eastern States, Foreign
Railroadiana
Western, Native American, Mining, Misc.
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After last year's successful joint effort between Holabird Associates and the Reno Coin Club, we will again be holding our auction at the Atlantis Resort & Casino. The Reno Coin Club will be hosting its annual show at the same time as Live Auction #20. We are overjoyed at the variety of Western (and Eastern) Americana that we are able to offer in this sale. A plethora of railroad passes can be found within the geographic designations and within the Railroadiana Section. As well, we are proud to have a fantastic assortment of gold and silver crystal and ore specimens. These lots are shown in full color at the middle of the catalog. Be sure to preview all sections within the catalog, so you don't miss anything!
ALASKA
100. Alaska. Alaska & Cape Nome Co. Cert #253, dated May 12, 1900, issued to W.E. Barnard, 100 shares. Uncancelled. Signed M.J. Keller, President and W.E. Barnard, Secretary. Embossed seal. Green border with top center eagle vignette, flanked by train and ship. No printer showing. Spot tear in seal, crease at lower right corner and two vertical folds. Very fine. 8 1/4 x 10 1/4. Est. $75-150
101. Alaska. Alaska Gladhaugh Mining Co. Cert #291. Incorporated in California. Issued to B. B. Nichols for 400 shares in 1907. Signed by W. H. Haus president and Adam Thompson secretary. Vignette of a mining scene. Black border with gilt seal and bronze safety print. Uncancelled. Printer not noted. 8 x 11 . Datelined Eureka, Cal. Gladhaugh was not listed in our geographic gazetteers. This company may have operated in Northern California rather than Alaska or both. Small tears along fold creases. Fine to very fine. Est. $100-200
102. Alaska. Alaska Souvenir Silver Spoon, c.1900-1920. The spoon is shovel-shaped and marked with Alaska. Spoon measures 5 1/2 long and the bowl is shovel-shaped. Handle is topped by a walrus, and gold pan with Alaska on its rim. Stem has twisted wire rope encircling flowers and grape vine. Est. $75-150
103. Alaska. Alaska Yukon Pacific Expo, Seattle, Souvenir Mug, 1909. Ernest Richardson painted on opposite side. Ceramic mug, ivory color, red print, Alaska Yukon Pacific Expo, Seattle, 1909 and on reverse side, Ernest Richardson. 4 tall. Est. $100-300
104. Alaska. Aleutian Islands. United States Coast Survey Chart of Kyska Harbor, Great Kyska Island, Aleutian Islands, 1875. Chart is taken From a survey by Act'g. Asst. W.H. Dall and Party in July, 1873. Drawn by H. Lindenkohl. Issued in July 1875. C.P. Patterson, Superintendent. Verified by J.E. Hilgard, Asst. In charge of Office. Inscribed in ink below border of map: Capt. E.E. Smith I...this map from Capt. Michalls...They are not in hand but he will have it... placed. E...Davidson,...(month) 27, 1888. (ellipses represent illegible text). Measures 11 5/8 x 15 . Paper has discolored spots near edges. Slight tear top edge, left center. Est. $75-150
105. Alaska. British North American Trading & Exploration Co. Cert. # A1093. Incorporated in West Virginia. Issued to Edward Wassermann, Dec. 9, 1897,100 shares. Uncancelled. Signed by B.M. Whittock, President, and C.H. Vines, Asst. Secretary. No printer showing. Brown border on buff paper, embossed seal. Center vignette of four miners and pack mule. 8 x 11 7/8. Very fine. Est. $150-300
106. Alaska. Candle Creek. Lucky Star Mining Co. Cert. #147. Incorporated in Arizona. Dated 4th May 1903, issued to Jessie Butcher, 66 shares. Uncancelled. Signed by Geo. W. Slatter, President, Harry St. Clair, Secretary. No printer showing. Embossed dark gold seal. Gilt border printed over original black border and The Lucky Star Mining Company is printed in gold. Three vignettes across top. Left shows miners viewing nugget, center shows men working on a flume, and right shows a placer miner kneeling by a stream. Printer: International Bank Note. 8 1/4 x 10 3/4. Located in Arctic Alaska, Candle Creek placer gold district received its name from a scrubby bush growing in the area that the Eskimos—and early miners—burned to illuminate their dwellings. [Ref: Alaska-Yukon Place Names, by James W. Phillips, pg. 25]. Very fine. Est. $75-150
107. Alaska. Chilcoot Pass. Chilcoot Pass Stereocards, c.1898. Lot of 4 different cards. All by Keystone View Co, 2 are card matte, #9204 and 9195. 2 are orange matte front and pink reverse, #9191 and 9196. Three of cards show the overwhelming Chilkoot Pass during the height of the Alaskan Gold Rush. No matter how many times I see this view, it is always awe inspiring to consider what these men suffered for the chance to get rich -vp. The last card shows the Dyea Trail, which is a little less crowded, but not much. All very fine. Est. $100-200
108. Alaska. Cordova & Fairbanks Souvenir Spoons. Lot of 2. Two sterling silver souvenir spoons: first, marked Cordova, Alaska in bowl, with Alaska mining scenes at top, 5 1/2 long; second, marked Fairbanks, Alaska in bowl, with miner panning for ore at top, 4 long. Est. $100-200
109. Alaska. Goldfields of the Klondike and the Wonders of Alaska, 1897. by Ernest Ingersoll, with an introduction by Henry W. Elliot, published by Edgewood Publishing Co. This is a unique copy of the book, perhaps a salesman's copy. There should be over 400 pages in the book as noted in the Table of Contents, but there are hardly more than 80 pages. The book also has a list of illustrations with the pages marked, but all of the illustrations are together at the end of the book. About half of the book is made up of these photographic plates. Scarce. 5.5 x 8 , some wear to binding, overall Fine condition. Est. $75-150
110. Alaska. Dyea. Dyea Snowslide Stereocard, 1898. By Keystone View Co, #9203. Captioned Searching for the Dead After the Snowslide of April 3, 1898, Dyea Trail, Alaska. Scene shows over 100 men digging in the snow. Orange front with pink backing. Shot crisp and clear. Very fine. Est. $50-150
111. Alaska. Dyea. Dyea View Stereocards, c.1898. Lot of 2 different cards. James M. Davis, copyrighted by B. W. Kilburn. #12742 and 12728. One shows a bird's eye view of Dyea. The other shows a few people struggling with the harsh life of the Klondyke, near Dyea. Both cards have spotting with matte being dirty. Fine. Est. $100-200
112. Alaska. Fairbanks. Nordale Hotel, Bar and Poolroom Trade Token. Bi-metallic (brass/aluminum), 25 cent. Est. $200-400
113. Alaska. Fraser River Mining & Dredging Co. Cert.# 101. Incorporated in the Province of British Columbia. Dated 15th October 1894, issued to Reuben C. Merryman, 1000 shares. Uncancelled. Signed by M.W. Alworth, President and John B. Heimrick, Secretary. Evans & Hastings, Printers. Red seal. Narrow border in green, brown title banner, cream paper. 8 3/8 x 9 7/8. Very fine. Est. $150-200
114. Alaska. French Hill. French Hill Mining Stereocard, 1898. James M. Davis, copyrighted by B. W. Kilburn, #13133. Captioned Scratching out the precious metals on French Hill, Alaska. Scene shows several miners working surface diggings with tents and other glory diggings in the background. Card has been bent with crease at lower right corner. Matte shows wear. Fine. Est. $75-150
115. Alaska. General. Alaska Steam Ship Company China, c.1920. Lot of 3. The Alaska Steam Ship Company operated from 1894 to 1971. There are two cups and one saucer in this lot, exemplifying the pattern of dining saloon china used on the vessels of the Alaska Steam Ship Company in the 1920's. The cups measure 3 3/4 across and 2 1/4 tall and the saucer is 6 . All three are white with a light blue stripe outlined in green around the rims and another green line at the bottom of the cups and the middle of the saucer. Each bears the Alaska Steam Ship Co. logo in dark blue and red. The saucer is backstamped with the name of manufacturer Bailey Walker Vitrified China Company, dated November 1928. The cups bear no backstamp and may have been produced by a different company. A slightly different pattern of china was introduced at some point after 1930. The A.S.S.Co. played a major part in the Alaska gold rush and the development of Alaskan tourism. A.S.S.Co. discontinued its passenger service in 1954 maintaining an active freight service until closing its operations entirely in 1971. Est. $125-250
116. Alaska. Juneau. California-Nevada Copper Co. Cert. #C1446. Incorporated in Maine. Issued to Herman W. Hoops, 100 shares. Uncancelled. Signed by F.L. Underwood, President, and E.B. Van Rocheu (?), Secretary. Blue border with embossed seal. Vignette at top center of miner using pneumatic drill. Printed by International Banknote Co., N.Y. 6 x 9 1/2. Mine office in Juneau, Alaska. The Ebner mine, area 240 acres, near the Alaska-Treadwell, is reported to have 6 veins of 15' to 60' width, opened by 2 tunnels, has been a gold producer since 1888. Company was said, July, 1910, to have a 200-stamp mill at the Ebner mine. [Ref: Copper Hndbk., pp. 516-17]. Very fine. Est. $50-100
117. Alaska. Juneau. Jualin Alaska Mines Co. Cert #207. Incorporated in Belgium. Issued to a Belgian for 20 shares in 1919. Signed by company officials. Vignette in blue print of a spread winged eagle clutching a stars and stripes shield and American flag. Blue border and print with orange underprint vignette. Cancelled by hole punches. Printer - Ed Besson, Paris. 10 x 13 . This company owned 30 claims on the Berners Bay in the Juneau district. There was a 360 foot shaft with gold ore running around $12 per ton. The company changed to Julian Berners MC in 1922. This company was based in Belgium. (Mines Handbook, 1926, p.182). Very fine. Est. $50-150
118. Alaska. Klondyke. Chilcoot Pass and Klondyke Stereocards, 1898. Lot of 2. #13126 Transportation in the Klondyke showing wharf scene and #12733 captioned Onward and Upward over the Chilcoot pass. The first soiled, the latter bright. Est. $75-150
119. Alaska. Klondyke. Klondyke Gold Rush Stereocards, 1898-1902. Lot of 5 cards. 2 by Keystone View Co, #11562 and 11530. One card shows miners heating the tundra to melt the ground and extract any gold. The other shows a dog sled team north of the Artic Circle. One by Keystone View Co that has an orange front and pink reverse, #9201 - A Claim on the Klondyke, showing a couple and their dwelling. One by James M. Davis, copyrighted by B. W. Kilburn, #12732 - Beauties of nature in the Klondyke, showing two horses pulling a wagon sized sled. All are at least very fine to extremely fine. Est. $100-300
120. Alaska. Nome. Gabriel Werntz Presentation Candlestick. and one copy from the Mining Scientific Press dated 1889, describing the Gabriel Werntz miner's candlestick. Gabriel Werntz candlestick,10 overall. Four-piece construction, snuffer not present. Brown patina finish. Engraved on the spike, Nome Alaska 1900-1901, and on the back strap is Chas. D. Lane with a floral design on either side.
The Werntz presentation candle stick has ALASKA / 1900-1903/ NOME engraved on three of the panels of the point end. The handle has fancy floral patterns around the ring with Chas. D. Lane engraved in the middle. The stick is 10 long with the hook 3.25 high. Wilson & Bobrink's Miner's Candlesticks discusses this stick in detail (pp98-99). They comment that the snuffer was usually discarded or not included in the first place. Typical of this comment, the snuffer is not present on this stick, but the hole through which it sat is present. There is no damage nor does it appear that the snuffer was ever present. The pair also mention that some examples may only have one attachment post, but this example has both. The book cites the stick as extremely rare. We have not handled another in 20-plus years. Est. $3,000-5000
Charles D. Lane was a prominent mining man in California, Nevada and Alaska. While his activity in California was extolled while he was in Alaska, I can find little record of it. He apparently lived in a house at 1103 Bush Street in Angel's Camp, now on the Register of Historic Places.
Charles Lane and 2 partners purchased part of the massive Mason Ranch in Mason Valley in Esmeralda County, Nevada in 1862, where they brought in cattle from California. Noted as a California capitalist by historian Sam Davis, Lane was active in mining at the Sullivan District near Carson City. The placer gold there and probably at nearby Palmyra probably piqued his curiosity. He tried to build a water system to the mines there, though he never completed it because the gold was too sparse.
The period between the mid-1860's and 1890's is presently in need of more research. I was unable to find record of Lane in Calaveras or Mariposa counties, or in Nevada state. As a capitalist , he would have normally kept an office in San Francisco, but we don't find him there either.
In 1897 he bought the famous Chainman mine and mill near Ely, Nevada. It had been located in 1877. He invested about $165,000 to build a power plant and cyanide mill to process the ores there, but the effort failed after he left his son in charge, noted as mis-management by at least one writer. Lane City bears his name today, though it is a complete ghost town. It was the birth place of Pat Nixon. His power plant supplied Ely with its first power. Lane left for Alaska shortly
after the Chainman purchase, heading to Nome as part of the Klondike gold rush. Once there, he purchased a number of claims in Nome Valley from some miners. The region was without water, a situation familiar to Lane, who proceeded to build a pumping and 40 mile ditch system carrying water from the Nome River to the Dexter and Ophir Creek area sometimes called the Council District. Here he formed the Wild Goose Mining Company and also built the Wild Goose Railroad to bring in supplies, running between Nome and Anvil. As a capitalist, his ventures were regarded with great attention as he brought in much needed capital to the remote district.
Lane spent a reported $500,000 to build the water system which benefited other mining companies as well, though at a cost to them. Lane's benevolence and business acumen also brought praise and criticism from local and regional newspapers typical of any mining mogul.
After proving a portion of the Wild Goose Mining Company's property to be rich in gold, his claims were jumped in a very celebrated legal case. Instead of using frontier law of shotguns and violence, Lane chose the formal legal process to rid the property of the claim jumpers, which ultimately cost him a fortune in gold. The jumping was initially supported by a crooked judge and lawyers. The claim jumpers were ordered off the property by an appellate judge. They refused to leave through a series of long delay tactics and by the time the law got around to physically evicting them, they had gutted the claims. The culprits were released after just 3.5 months in jail, certainly quite a bit richer.
Claim jumping in Alaska became known as lot jumping and was a serious problem. It was exacerbated by the Lane case, and Military control became necessary.
Lane retired to California and died June 3, 1911 in Palo Alto. He had significant impact on Nevada and Alaska mining, and probably California too, though more research is necessary in this area. [references: Read, White Pine Lang Syne p268; Seattle Post Intelligencier 8/19/00; Angel, History of Nevada p407; Davis, History of Nevada p 951,983,1053; Alaska Library web site; K. Albrecht in the Nome Nugget, undated on the web; Jane Shaputis from a White Pine County web site; ROHP web site. I was unable to find a biography of Lane in many of our California biographical works of the period, or in the many works written on Nome in our library, though it is lacking a lot in this area. He was not a Stampeder as listed by Pennington, as expected. Lane is not listed in the 1862 or 1863 Nevada directories. I was unable to find Lane in various California business directories in Nevada or California.]
121. Alaska. Nome Gold Rush Newspapers. When the Werntz candlestick was found, it came with several original Nome newspapers. These Klondike gold rush newspapers are rare, and their content remarkable. The two papers are the Nome Daily Chronicle and the Nome Weekly Chronicle. One of the papers, the 8/25/1900 edition, has a detailed article on the mining district and water pumping works, though Lane's name is not mentioned. At least one also carries an ad for the Wild Goose Railroad. Ads for the famous saloons are here as well, including the Northern. Tex Rickard & partners owned this saloon. Rickard and Wyatt Earp were best friends. His wife Josie noted that Rickard was a good dancer: that night I danced several dances with Tex Rickard, whose talents were just the opposite of Wyatt's so far as dancing… [p177] Rickard talked Wyatt into moving to Nome and starting a saloon. Rickard's Northern was a gold mine, and he suggested this to the Earps. They built the Dexter in 1900 and billed it as the only second class saloon in Alaska. Earp left Nome for Tonopah. Rickard followed to Nevada shortly after, operating the Northern Saloon in Goldfield.). The papers are the 8/25/1900, 9/17/00, 9/5/1900; Nome Weekly Chronicle 10/6/1900 in magazine format, volume 1, no.1. In this last paper there appears a short article: C. D. Lane has got rid of a lot of mining properties by selling them to the Wild Goose Company. His next job will be to get rid of the Wild Goose Co. The tidbit is advanced further in a lengthy article explaining the sale on page 7. Tucked in is a cover postmarked from Nome, 1901 with a block of 6 carmine US 2 cent stamps (not a booklet pane). On page 10 is a wonderful article by Jack London The Wolf-Dog of the North The Husky , a short story of two pages, clearly the first publication of this story. The back cover has an ad for Taylor & Butler, druggists and jewelers, advertising nugget jewelry made to order. These four early Alaska newspapers are a classic part of western mining life, exemplified by the ads for the Northern, nugget jewelry, and the original Jack London story. Very rare and desirable. Est. $300-500
122. Alaska. Placer Mining Original Matted Photograph, c.1905. Scene shows five miners with shovels in front of a flume emerging from mouth of a hillside tunnel. There are two dogs that are amazingly holding still for the photo. Wonder if they are trained to find gold nuggets. Measures 8 3/4 x 10 3/4 and photo measures 5 1/2 x 7 7/8. The terrain suggests that this is somewhere in Alaska. Extremely fine. Est. $100-200
123. Alaska. Sitka. Sitka Bay Stereocard, c.1898. Harbor view with two dilapidated buildings in foreground and three steam and masted vessels in harbor. Publishers: Continent Stereoscopic Co., 60 Nassau Street, New York, Card measures 4 x 6 5/8 . Sitka was a port city for the gold region and the Dyea Trail. Est. $100-200
124. Alaska. Suitcase Used While Traveling to the Yukon, c1905-1920. Suitcase is black leather over paper board, with metal corner protectors attached by round-head nails. Inside are miscellaneous items, a lady's girdle and dress collars, pieces of material, earrings, 1943 store calendar, etc. Suitcase has key lock (no key) and two snap locks on front. Top has three-corner tear, left corner. Railway Express tag still attached, also a sticker showing case will be routed through Seattle, Wash. Identification sticker shows suitcase being sent to Gene Rhodes, Fairbanks, Alaska. 11 x20 x 6 height. Worn. Est. $150-300
125. Alaska. Yukon River. Yukon River Gold Panning Stereocards, c.1900-10. Lot of 2 different cards. Keystone View Co, #21100 and 9374. One card shows three men working the gravels of a flowing stream identified as the Yukon River. The other card shows two men panning in grassy muck. Each of the men are wearing mosquito hats, a valuable tool for summers in Alaska. Both clear and crisp. Very fine. Est. $75-150
126. Alaska. Yukon Territory. Dawson. Prospectors Manuscript Letter on Dawson, Yukon Territory, Letterhead, 1900. The letterhead is of Emil Staup, Real Estate, Mining & Financial Agent. Datelined Dawson, Y.T. The manuscript letter was written to Clayton B. Strong. The writer notes that he has been prospecting for some time and has finally had found some encouraging results. He informs Strong that he will write with more details when he comes out the spring or late winter. Signed by Henry J. Deiter. This letter is slightly after the Alaskan Gold Rush which dated around 1897-98. But this prospector must have been tough to endure for a long period of time in the harsh climate of Alaska, especially at the turn of the century. Very fine. Est. $50-150
127. No Lot.
ARIZONA
128. Arizona. Cochise. Tombstone. Pony Saloon / J. H. Marrs / Prop. / Keystone, Ariz. // GF / A / Smile. Sc(8), br, 29mm. Wear to high points on both sides. Very Fine. Est. $150-300
129. Arizona. Cochise. Tombstone. Pony Saloon, / J. H. Marrs / Prop. / Tombstone, / Ariz. // GF / 12 1/2 / IT. Sc(8), br, 29mm. Toned. Xf. Est. $150-300
130. Arizona. Cochise. Tombstone. Fly's Gallery Cabinet Card. Cabinet card photograph of young man with rifle, taken at C. Fly's Gallery, Tombstone, A.T. Measures 4 1/8 x 6 3/8. Very fine. Est. $50-150
131. Arizona. Cochise. Tombstone. Rattlesnake Mining Co. Cert #52. Incorporated in Illinois. Issued to W. J. Witherell for 1000 shares in 1883. Signed by W. Barnum president and Geo Haddleston secretary. No vignette. Black border with gilt seal. Uncancelled. Printer obscured by seal. 8 x 11 . Datelined Chicago, Illinois. This certiticate is previously unkown to the Arizona collectors. The Rattlesnake mine was adjoined underground with that of the Mammoth mine and the Bunker Hill, which in 1883, were noted as being owned by the same company. Bullion average $10,000 per month Work on the Rattlesnake was progressing rapidly, especially on the 160 foot level, which matched up the 400 foot level of the Mammoth. Also adjoining the Rattlesnake mine was the Big Comet. The company was contemplating the erection of a larger mill to accomodate the ore. ((Burchard, 1883, p.47). Garbani lists a Rattlesnake Co has being located in Tombstone, but has never seen, or known, of any certificates. Est. $400-600
132. Arizona. Cochise. Tombstone. Rattlesnake Mining Co Assay Receipts, 1884. Lot of 2 pieces. First piece is from the Assay office of C.J. Duval of Tombstone. Records sample at 61.27 silver and lists Rattlesnake Mill as having No account , signed by C.J. Duval. Dated March 12, 1884. 8 1/2 x 5 1/4 . Folded, faded, light staining and dirt, VF. Second piece is 8 x 4 1/2 . Signed by B.S. Coffman, Mill Foreman. Not on official letterhead, handwritten Rattlesnake Mining Company In account with Henry Fry and dated March 12, 1884. Recorded sample at 61.27 per ton-80% . Rough edges as if creased and then torn at crease on left and bottom sides, folded, faded, stained, VF. Est. $200-400
133. Arizona. Cochise. Tombstone. Sultana Mining Company of Chicago, 1885. Probably a Tombstone piece. Certificate #24 issued to Flora E. Witherell for 15,000 shares in May 1885. Incorporated in Illinois. Uncancelled. Signed by president Heyman Levin and secretary Thos. H. Woffab (?). White paper with black border and print. No vignette. Bronze seal at lower left. 10 x 6 3/4' . We believe this company to have been located in Tombstone, but have not been able to confirm that. Folded, minor fading, otherwise XF. Est. $300-500
134. Arizona. Cochise. Tombstone. The Daily Tombstone, Newspapers, 1886. This lot contains four issues of The Daily Tombstone with two different mastheads from May 8, 1886 and October 9, 11 and 12 1886. All bear the L.P. Fisher's Advertising Agency stamp from San Francisco and carry ads for the O.K. Corral, the Pony Saloon and the Arizona Mail and Stage Line. Also of note, some wonderful whiskey advertisements including the very artistic Thistle Dew, the Simonds Nabob Bourbon and Standard Time. Condition is fragile and overall poor. These papers were printed on a highly acidic pulp paper and are heavily chipped and torn at edges with browning due to acid content. Still very legible. There are also a couple of professional acid-free tape repairs. 15 1/2 x 24 . Est. $150-300
135. Arizona. Cochise. Tombstone. Western Mining Co Letterhead, 1881. Letterhead of Office of the Superintendent, Western Mining Co., Tombstone, Pima Co., A.T. Feb. 14th 1881. States, Received from R. P. Samuel for a/c of P.W. Smith Fifty six cords of wood (56 cords)—(signed) Western Mining Co. Jas Wade . Measures 7 3/4 x 10 1/4 on buff paper. Vertical and horizontal fold creases. Est. $50-100
136. Arizona. General. Boston & Gila River Cattle Co. Cert #16. Incorporated in 1882. Issued to C. A. Newcomb for 10,000 shares in 1883. Signed by Wm. Newcomb president and C. D. Jenkins treasurer. Vignette of three cows. Blue border and print on lighter blue paper. Uncancelled. Printer - Samuel Hobbs & Co, Boston. 6 x 9 . Datelined Portland, Maine. This company could have had its operations anywhere along the Gila River which crosses half of the state of Arizona. Extremely fine. Est. $250-500
137. Arizona. General. Oil painting of Saguaro Cactus, c.1960. Titled Desert Strings, by artist Don Ruffin. Saguaro are known to grow only in the Sonora Desert, which includes Arizona, New Mexico and Mexico. Wood framed with linen matte. Overall measures: 30 1/2 x 42 1/2. Est. $300-500
138. Arizona. Greenlee. Clifton. Clifton & Metcalf Stereocards, c.1905-10. Lot of 2 different cards. Underwood & Underwood. One is captioned Where Copper is King, Clifton, Arizona. and shows a small town with many permanent buildings. The second card shows steep rail inclines to the adits of mines located at Metcalf. #30 - Inclines to the Copper Mines, Metcalf, Arizona . Text on reverse. Both crisp and clear. Very fine. Est. $100-200
139. Arizona. Mining. Casa Grande, Arizona, by Jesse Walter Fewkes, 1913. Extract from the twenty-eighth annual report of the Bureau of American Ethnology. Published by Government Printing Office, Washington, 179 pp., including Appendix. Hard cover, boards dinged slightly on corners. Fine. Est. $200-400
140. Arizona. Mohave. Grand Canyon. Kai Vav Its Indian Stereocard, 1874. Stereoview of an Indian tribe at their camp with one man gesticulating while others look on. Mounted on yellow board with U. S. Topographical and Geological survey of the Colorado River of the West: printed at left edge and By J. W. Powell and H. H. Thompson printed along right edge. Reverse has a glued purple sheet with Indians of the Colorado Valley, No. 34. Kai-Vav-Its. A tribe of Pai Utes, living on the Kai-bab Plateau, near the Grand Canon of the Colorado, in Northern Arizona. The Game of Ni-Aung-Pi-Kai. Photographed by Hillers. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, by J. W. Powell, in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. Published by J. F. Jarvis, Washington, DC. Some spotting on reverse. Minor wear to edges. Very fine. Est. $300-600
141. Arizona. Mohave. Grand Canyon. Kai Vav Its Indian Stereocard, 1874. View is of three Indian women looking on at a pot suspended over a fire. The clothing style is very primitive, not the stereo-typical dress of Westerns. Mounted on yellow board with U. S. Topographical and Geological survey of the Colorado River of the West: printed at left edge and By J. W. Powell and H. H. Thompson printed along right edge. Reverse has a glued purple sheet with Indians of the Colorado Valley, No. 38. Kai-Vav-Its. A tribe of Pai Utes, living on the Kai-bab Plateau, near the Grand Canon of the Colorado, in Northern Arizona. Waiting for the Kettle to Boil. Photographed by E. O. Beaman. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, by J. W. Powell, in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. Published by J. F. Jarvis, Washington, DC. Some spotting on reverse. Minor wear to edges. Very fine. Est. $300-600
142. Arizona. Mohave. Mineral Park. Mineral Park Mining Co. Cert #63. Incorporated in Illinois. Issued to J. W. Parmelee for 10 shares in 1886. Signed by J. C. Denison president and Alex Graham secretary. Vignette of three miners inspecting ore samples. Black border. Uncancelled. Printer - Western Bank Note & Engraving Co, Chicago. 8 x 11 . Extremely fine. Rare. Est. $150-300
A Short History of the Arivica Mines. The mines at Arivaca are among the oldest in Arizona. There is evidence that these mines were first prospected by Spaniards as early as the late 1600's, however, there is a poor written record on the matter, as one might expect for early prospecting and exploration in new territory. The written record certainly starts about 1751-1752 about the time of the Pima Apache revolt, when numerous writers noted that mining at Arivaca stopped with the revolt. Thus mining was certainly taking place before that time, but few records exist prior that might shed light on the activity. The region was also undergoing a geographic naming process, and Arivaca may have been called something else by the early Spaniard explorers and prospectors. Spanish miners continued activity at Arivaca through 1767, when increased numbers of raids by Apaches forced closure.
The first reports of ore grades appear to come from a 1777 report that stated that every 25 pounds of ore yielded 8 ounces of silver (640 oz/ton). The record through the first part of the nineteenth century is sketchy. Apaches may have kept control of the region through about 1812. At least three different silver deposits were mentioned at Arivaca. An excellent paper by James Officer, 1991, discussing the Spanish period of mining in Arizona can be found in History of Mining in Arizona, Part II. Additional material can be found in Bancroft's History of Arizona and New Mexico, as well as his multi-volume treatise on the History of Mexico. Numerous other papers are published on the subject, many of them coming in the past decade as interest in Arizona mining history has gained strength. There are many sidebars associated with the early exploring period of the white man. Included among these are stories of Fred Bruncknow who discovered the original site for the Tombstone mine, was part of the Sonora Exploring group who visited the Arivaca area and wrote of it in 1859 (Mining Magazine, Volume 1, p2, 1859). Chas. D. Poston and engineer Ehrenburg purchased the Arivaca Ranch in 1856, and established their headquarters in Tubac. Most mining, however, did not take place at Arivaca until the Apache problem diminished in the late 1870's. Renewed interest in the region brought in new capital, though no large deposits were found.
The wonderful stories surrounding Arivaca are too many for this catalog. Important glimpses of them may be found in the historical sketches offered in this and associated sections.
143. Arizona. Pima. Arivaca. Arivaca Mining Milling and Refining Co. Certificate #36. Incorporated in Missouri in 1878. Issued to W.F. Witherell for one half share on March 30, 1880. Uncancelled. . Signed by president W. H. H. Witherell and secretary L.H. Thomas. White paper with black print, underprint and artwork, seal at lower left in bronze. Three vignettes: first at top left of three miners examining a chunk of ore, second at center of working mill/smelter with horses, carriages and people in foreground, last vignette at top right is of miners above ground at mouth of mine (?) with loaded ore carts on railroad track and operational mill/smelter in background. 11 1/2 x 8 3/4 . This is currently the only known issued certificate from this company. Folded, stained, faded, no tears, VF. Est. $1000-2000
144. Arizona. Pima. Arivaca. Arivaca Milling and Refining Co. Assay Certificate, 1878. This assay sheet and the next are among the fanciest assay sheets we've come across! Bears two of the same vignettes as the stock certificate: center vignette is of working mill/smelter with horse and carriages and people in foreground; vignette at upper right is of two miners at the entrance to a mine (?) with operational mill/smelter and loaded ore carts on a railroad track in background. This one is marked Duplicate #237 and lists samples received from Col. Witherell and assayed by Prof. John P. (illegible) on Oct. 16, 1878. The first sample is from the Grand Central at 2775.84 silver per ton and 300.16 gold per ton. The second sample was recorded at 3649.27 silver per ton and 954.42 gold per ton. 9 3/4 x 8 . Folded with small tears at folds, faded, minor staining, VF. Est. $500-1000
145. Arizona. Pima. Arivaca. Arivaca Milling and Refining Co. Assay Certificate, 1878. Bears two of the same vignettes as the stock certificate: center vignette is of working mill/smelter with horse and carriages and people in foreground; vignette at upper right is of two miners at the entrance to a mine (?) with operational mill/smelter and loaded ore carts on a railroad track in background. This one is marked Duplicate #178 and lists samples received from Col. Witherell for Arizona Co. and assayed by Prof. John P. (illegible) on Sept. 26, 1878. The first four samples are from the Miria Del Tajo at 3217.18, 394.27, 1165.59 and 2089.28 silver per ton and nil gold per ton for the first three samples and 7.52 for the fourth. The last sample was the Cerro Colorado and was 1260.84 silver per ton and 7.52 gold per ton. 9 3/4 x 8 . Folded with small tears at folds, a couple of holes along right third of certificate, fading, minor staining, wear to edges. Fine. Est. $500-1000
146. Arizona. Pima. Arivaica. Arizona Mining Co. Cert #549. Incorporated in New York. Issued to M. O. Davidson for 48 shares in 1865. Signed by W. Hartley president and J. B. Randol secretary. Vignette of the Heintzelman Mine at top center, one of the great Arizona stock vignettes. Black border and print. Uncancelled. Printer - R. C. Torr Anthony, NY. 8.5 x 10 . Stub attached at bottom. No revenue stamp affixed. Pin holes at top corners. We have an extensive historical write-up featured in our Auction #12 Catalog (page 144-45, Lot #884). This is one of the great Arizona mining stock certificates. Est. $800-1600
147. Arizona. Pima. Oro Blanco. Orion Silver Mining Co. Cert #2932. Issued to T. J. Stewart for 100 shares in 1881. Signed by Hamilton Lisston president and B. F. Hart secretary. Vignette at left edge of a cross sectional view of a mine shaft. Uncancelled. Printer - Lehman & Bolton, Philadelphia. 6 x 10 . Location Pima County, Arizona Ty printed on certificate. Property was located west of Patagonia and 7 miles southwest of Arivaca. Company reported having decent ore, good enough to build a mill. The mill only ran intermittently due to a lack of water. (Burchard, 1881). Very fine. Est. $200-400
148. Arizona. Pima. Tombstone. Prompter Gold & Silver Mining Co. Cert #584. Incorporated in 1879. Issued to Wm T. Egan for 644 shares in 1883. Signed by Alphius Lewis president and Robert Lewis secretary. Vignette of a miner pushing an ore car out of an adit. Black border and print. Uncancelled. Printer - Le Count Bros, SF. 4 x 9.5 . “Location, Tombstone Dist, Pima Co, A.T. printed at bottom. Very fine. Est. $700-1500
149. Arizona. Pinal. Arizona Copper Co. Cert #12. Incorporated in New York 1881. Issued to Wm A Bolinger for 100 shares in 1881. Signed by A. Wakeman president and Robt Walker secretary. Vignette at top center of two miners working underground. Vignette at left edge of miners in large tunnel underground. Black border and print. Uncancelled. Printer - Brett Litho, NY. 6 x 8.5. Datelined New York. “Location Pinal Co, Arizona printed at top of certificate. Minor wear and foxing to edges. Very fine. Rare. Est. $200-400
150. Arizona. Railroad. Sante Fe, Prescott & Phoenix Railway Co Pass, 1905. Issued to Mr. A. Dulohery, WPA, Mexican Central Ry. Fabulous masthead/vignette. At left is a fruit tree branch with fruit in gold gilt, Salt River Valley printed above. At right is a vignette of a miner underground with lit candlestick stuck in the wall. Blue print on light blue paper. Printed by ABN. Signed by Murphy, president. Very fine. Est. $200-400
151. Arizona. Santa Cruz. Patagonia. Santa Rita Land & Mining Co. Cert. #81. Inc. in Colorado, 1881. Issued to Albert D.S. Bell, 28th Oct. 1881, 100 shares. Signed by president Pliny Nickerson, and secretary Edward H. Mason. Vignette on left of three miners working at the bottom of a shaft. Vignette top center of horsemen working cattle. Black printed border on cream paper, embossed seal. Uncancelled. Printer: ABN. 7 3/4 x 11. Tenney (1929, p. 262) reports that the Santa Rita Lands and Mines Company is a reorganization of the San Xavier Mining and Smelting Company by Col. Sykes in 1882, who originally purchased the San Xavier mine in 1880. Blake (1860, pgs. 13, 15) states that the San Xavier Mining Co. was organized in San Francisco, in 1857. The mine is near Tucson, Arizona. The San Xavier Silver mine is 35 miles from Tubac, which was a prominent point in the territory of Sonora. Mowry (1864, p. 81) reports that the San Xavier mine was worked during the time of the Jesuits, and appeared exceedingly rich. This mine was also owned by the Arizona Land and Mining Company. Farish (1915, p. 73) reports that the Arizona Land and Mining Co. owned a mine situated north of
the Rancho of Sopori. The company owned land thirty-two leagues square on which is situated the old silver mine of San Xavier. Other veins are equally rich and found on the center of the property, on the Sierra Tinaja. The Company was incorporated in Providence, R.I., with a capital of $2,000,000. President S.G. Arnold and treasurer Alfred Anthony, who was also president of the Jackson Bank of Providence, N. Richmond Jones, Jr., is the engineer-in-chief of this mine, and the Sopori Mine. (Mowry (1964, p. 127) states that the San Xavier mine was in the state of Sonora, northern Mexico. Very ornate and important piece. Rare. Est. $300-500
152. Arizona. West Virginia & Arizona Mining Co. Cert #89. Incorporated in West Virginia, 1882. Issued to Annie E. Hunter for 4 shares in 1883. Signed by A. Cowdon president and R. H. Sweeney secretary. No vignette. Blue border and print. Uncancelled. Printer - Intelligencer, Wheeling. 6 x 8 . Datelined Wheeling, West Virginia. A wonderful piece. Unfortunately we could find no reference to this company. This certificate was listed in our Auction #17, but we were forced to pull the lot due to a computer problem on our website. Very fine. Est. $200-400
153. Arizona. Yavapai. Octave. D. Virando / Octave, / Ariz. / L. A. Rub Stamp Co. // GF / 12 1/2 / IT. Rd, white metal, 23mm. High points worn at top of obverse, and to middle of reverse. Minor pitting. R-8, Saloon token dating from 1910. (Birt, 1990). Vf. Est. $400-600
154. Arizona. Yavapai. Prescott. A. Aitken / Cigars / & / Tobaccos / Prescott, A. T. // GF / 12 1/2 / Cigar / At / Aitken's / Cigar Store / Rub Stamp Co —-, Cal. Rd, white metal, 23mm. High points worn at bottom of reverse, and at top of obverse. Scratch on obverse near top. This token is listed as R-10 in Birt's Arizona Token Book, 1990. Birt also does not have a photograph of the piece, indicating its rarity. This maybe the only one known. Choice, Extremely rare Arizona token. VG-F. Est. $900-1800
155. Arizona. Yavapai. Prescott. Smoki Snake Dance Broadside, 1931. Framed poster advertising the Tenth Annual Smoki Snake Dance and Attendant Ceremonies in Prescott on Sunday June 8 at 2 p.m. Depicting the Ancient Rites of a Vanishing Race Wierd (sic)! Thrilling! Spectacular! ONCE SEEN, NEVER FORGOTTEN Grand Smoki Ball 8:30 at the Gardens . Printed by the Prescott Printing Company. According to the Smoki Museum in Prescott, Arizona, the Smoki people preformed their first Snake Dance for an audience in 1921. These public performances were held through 1990 after which they were discontinued. Advertisement only is 12 1/2 x 18 3/4 , add 1 1/4 in both directions for framed measurement. Printed on white paper with a high acid content which has resulted in a deep overall vanilla toning. Print in red and black ink with black and white photo at center. Stained with ragged right lower corner. Fine. Est. $300-500
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