by Brian Witherell | Apr 27, 2015 | Western Americana
A newly discovered “Last Spike” watch fob of pure “Mother Lode gold” is being auctioned by Sacramento, Calif.-based Witherell’s May 1 to 15, 2015 and displayed at Witherell’s Old West Show in Grass Valley May 8 and 9, 2015. The excess gold for the watch fob was broken...
by Brian Witherell | Feb 25, 2015 | Western Americana
The early morning of Saturday, July 4th, 1868, brought a chilly mist to Oakland, one that promised to fulfill predictions of rain for the holiday. But by 9 A.M. the grey fog lifted and with it rose the spirits of revelers that came from throughout the Bay Area, some...
by Brian Witherell | Jul 7, 2014 | Western Americana
The month of June brought a rare opportunity to Witherell’s team. We were invited by the owner of a hidden outpost in the heart of Napa Wine County to appraise a collection of items that proved deeply historic and compelling. There, on 11 rolling acres known as Pope...
by Brian Witherell | May 29, 2014 | Western Americana
Strolling the aisles of our recent Grass Valley Old West Show a couple of impressions really stayed with me. One is the quality of Americana antiques our vendors have collected and cared for. The second is the passion that antique dealers have for their vocation. At...
by Brian Witherell | Apr 16, 2014 | Western Americana
One of many interesting artifacts of the Old West in our Old West Auction is a beautiful example of the Cigar Store Indian (or Tobacco Indian). This particular carving dates to the late 1800s, likely from the Wyoming-Montana region. It came into our hands after being...
by Brian Witherell | Feb 19, 2014 | Western Americana
It was a call from Gold River that produced one our most exciting finds of the season. I set off on the short drive anticipating a nice collection of Civil War items, but perhaps nothing that send my pulse racing. As the consignor promised, I saw a number of artifacts...
