Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 49

Manuscript, Collectibles and Aerospace Auction

Western Americana

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 908		1886 "Certificate For Indian Schools". Partly-printed document on fine laid paper signed "Jos. E. Hazard," as superintendent of Indian Schools, 5 x 8¼ in., Randolph, NY, 15 July 1886, Completed in manuscript, this exceptional certificate was issued for an instructor, Lizzie McGinity, to work as a teacher of the second grade on the Allegany and Cattaraugus Reservations. A rare piece of Native American history. Estimated Value $300 - 500. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 909		[Buffalo Bill] 1901, Three Sepia-tone Images from "Buffalo Bill" Cody's Wild West. Each image measures 3½ x 3½ in. and is mounted on a heavy card backing. Includes: 1. Canadian mounted police riding into the show arena (slightly blurred because of the action). 2. Battalion of Boers (light negative scratches). 3. German cavalry riding into the show (another blurred action shot). A pencil notation on the back of each card dates it to May 7, 1901 at Norwood, OH. Estimated Value $200 - 400. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 910		California Gold Fields Letter. 1866 Autograph Letter Signed ("J.L. Simpson") on plain ruled paper, July 6, 1866, "Cisco Placer County," 10 x 8 in. A very interesting letter concerning the California Gold Rush. In part (with misspellings left in): "I am prospecting hear for gold quarts thir is sevril ledges hear that will pay from $200 to $400 to the tun… The railroad co. is driven ahead worken 900 chinamen and 1200 white men the cars will come to Cisco by Oct. I have located a quarts ledge 2 miles South west of this, I can git gold in the quarts at the surface." Fine. Estimated Value $250 - 450. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 911		Cody, William F. "Buffalo Bill" (1846-1914) Legendary figure of the Old West, best known for his Wild West Show. He was a soldier, scout, Pony Express rider, and bison hunter, among other occupations, before becoming a showman. He toured with his Wild West Show for 30 years, ten of them in Europe, becoming one of the most famous and recognizable men in the world. Sepia-toned photograph signed, "W.F. Cody, 'Buffalo Bill' - Feb. 21st 1914," 7½ x 6½ in. Cody is pictured astride a horse, gloved right hand raised in greeting, beside a monument erected in 1912 by the Daughters of the American Revolution and the City of St. Joseph (Missouri) marking the place where the first Pony Express started on April 3, 1860. Very fine. A wonderful photograph bearing a double signature. Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,438
Lot 912		[Denver, James William ] Pacific Steamship Company and Pacific Railroad Meet. Two autograph letters signed by William H. Davidge, president of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, 3pp and 1, prespectively, 4½ x 7 in. and 7½ x 10 in., New York; to Congressman Denver. Both fine. The first, written 3 Oct. 1856, says, in part: "I was in Washington in your absence & saw Genl. Anderson but do not know what he has done… I will be glad to receive from you any reflections - as to how my own matter can be promoted or the Rail Road Bill assisted…" The second, written, 23 July 1857, reports that a proposition he had made has not been accepted - the matter is settled unless "the Department" does something - but he has reported the thing as closed - and is sorry to trouble Denver about all this. Estimated Value $400 - 800. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 913		"Emigrants Attacked by the Comanches" by James Smillie. Original Proof Engraving c. 1891, After an Original Drawing by Capt. S. Eastman, U.S. Army. Uncolored print, 5½ x 8¼ in., with large margins to create an overall size of 12 x 16 in. The scene (Plate 33), depicts a band of covered wagons encircled on the wide plains, under attack by Comanches on horseback. Dampstaining and minor edge splits at the border edges do not detract from the overall appearance. Penciled notation and signed initials in lower right corner: "Etched by J.D.S." Provenance by G.F.C. Smillie family. Estimated Value $500 - 1,000. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 914		James Smillie. "Dakotah Encampment" & Original Engraving. Steel Plate Proof Engraving, c. 1851, along with original "Proof" label. The uncolored engraving by Smillie is after an original drawing by U.S. Army Captain S. Eastman, 5½ x 8¼ in. on an 11½ x 16 in. sheet, with penciled notation and signed initials in the lower right corner: "Etched by J.D.S.", as well as a typed label explaining that this image was a "Proof" for a government report, c. 1851. The detailed print (plate 28) depicts the peaceful, bucolic life of the "Dakotah". Very slight foxing on outer borders. Provenance by G.F.C. Smillie family. (2 items). Estimated Value $500 - 1,000. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 915		Plains Indian "Ledger Art" Drawing of a U.S. Cavalry Soldier on Horseback. Drawing by an unidentified Plains Indian Warrior-Artist, c. 1880. A wonderful, original, 5 x 3¼ in., pencil and water color on paper (taken from a ledger or sketchbook) depicting a mounted horse soldier in his blue regulation uniform jacket and kepi, probably executed while the artist was held as a prisoner. Light vertical and horizontal creases. Accompanied by an "Antiques & The Arts Weekly" newspaper clipping, dated April 4, 1986, showing a very similar, slightly larger example which was executed as a "Plains painted hide tipi liner," having an auction estimate of $20/25,000 up. Our estimate, for this painting on period paper, is modestly estimated. (2 items). Estimated Value $2,000 - 3,000. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 916		[Texas] "1874" Dated Hand-Carved "TEXICANS UNITE" Decorative Horn. Original hand-scrimshawed, horn engraved: "TEXICANS UNITE - Bald Eagle Ranch," 13 in. long. Slightly curved as expected, natural brown, ochre and tan in color. This carved horn has the inscriptions: "1836 TEXAS" star; "To Loyalty A Toast" scroll; "TEXICANS UNITE"; "1874 Bald Eagle Ranch", and images of an eagle attacking a rattle snake, and a horse galloping in front of a mountain range. Decorative horn (not used for powder) is clean and nicely carved. A beautiful, choice museum quality item. Estimated Value $1,000 - 2,000. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $1,050
Lot 917		Two Guns White Calf - Model for the Buffalo Nickel. Sepia postcard photo of the Blackfoot Indian chief who claimed to pose for the front of the Buffalo Nickel signed with his familiar pictograph signature in black ink at bottom right, 3¼ x 5½ in., n.d. Fine; one light crease at lower right corner. Estimated Value $900 - 1,200. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 918		Seven Vials of Specimen Placer Gold Nuggets and Dust. Vial #1) gold flakes and nuggets mined at Slate Creek, California; #2) gold dust mined at Fairbanks, Alaska; #3) small gold flakes mined at Fairbanks, Alaska; #4) small gold nuggets mined at Claremont, California; #5) gold dust mined by Amador and Co., California; #6) small gold flakes mined at Trinity County, California; #7) four gold nuggets mined at Placerville, California. The total net weight is approximately 1.5 troy ounces or 48 grams. Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,500. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $2,300