Press Release

Reno, NV, USA, June 4, 2024 -- Holabird Western Americana Collections’ four-day American History & Hall of Fame Showcase auction, June 6th thru 9th, online and live in the Reno gallery, is packed with more than 2,300 lots of collectible treasures in a broad range of categories, but bidders would be wise to give special attention to the rare, special items up for bid on Day 3, Saturday, June 8th.

The day is loaded with 595 lots of Wells Fargo & Express, outlaws and lawmen, autographs, Rev War and early military, President Lincoln, the JFK assassination, Black Americana, Civil War, Gen. George A. Custer, presidential, firearms and weaponry, sports / Hall of Fame, baseball and basketball, boxing, football and other items. But some of the lots are truly historically significant.

Black Americana will be led by lot 3084, an original ferrotype photograph of eight of the founding members of the Philadelphia Vigilance Committee and the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society (better known collectively as the Underground Railroad, which shuttled slaves from the South to the North in the 1800s). The photo was taken circa 1855-1860, with identifying notes included. It may be the only photo of these important men from this era (est. $10,000-$30,000).

Items pertaining to the Civil War will be plentiful. Lot 3268 is an incredible autograph book (and thus an actual POW record) of 116 Confederate officers held at Johnson’s Island, Ohio. It is a spectacular and exceptionally rare first-hand record of the POWs, containing two autographs per page. It includes some of General Morgan’s “Raiders”, an unsuccessful attempt to secretly raid Union camps in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky in 1863. The book should realize $6,000-$10,000.

Lot 3269 is a Confederate officer’s coat button from around 1861, not identified with any state but very rare and in very good condition (est. $2,800-$4,000). The button depicts the American Eagle facing right, surrounded by a total of 11 states, with lightning bolts in the eagle’s talons. It measures 23mm in diameter, two-piece with a shelf shank, a twisted rope border and no ID of manufacture. It was made in England for the Confederate states after the naval blockade of 1861.

Items relating to Abraham Lincoln as President will be offered. Lot 3132 is an official document dated July 2, 1863 and signed by Secretary of the Nevada Territory Orion Clemens as acting governor (which he sometimes did when Governor James Nye was traveling). Clemens joined Lincoln’s election campaign and when Lincoln was elected President, he appointed Clemens Secretary of the Nevada Territory. The document is framed and matted (est. $2,500-$3,500).

Lot 3143 is a lot of five autographs of men involved with Lincoln: Stephen A. Douglas (Senator from Illinois and presidential opponent); Joseph K. Barnes (Surgeon General of the U.S., who was on Lincoln’s deathbed and performed John Wilkes Booth’s autopsy); U.S. Army General David Hunter; U.S. Brigadier General James Shields, who served as Senator from three different states; and Barnes Compton, who served in the U.S. Congress in the 1880s (est. $1,000-$2,000).

Lot 3180 is a rare carte de visite of John Wilkes Booth, signed and inscribed by him circa 1859 on the reverse: “J. Wilkes Booth to James W. McDerman”. James McDerman was manager of the Merchant Hotel in Baltimore, a hotel that catered to actors, from 1859-1866. The photo remained in the McDerman family from the Civil War until 2003, when it was first offered for sale. Booth’s signature is extremely rare, as most of them were destroyed (est. $5,000-$10,000).

To learn more about Holabird Western Americana Collections, LLC, and the four-day American History & Hall of Fame Showcase auction, June 6th-9th, at 8 am Pacific time each day, visit www.holabirdamericana.com.

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