North American Auction Company
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Tombstone Western Heritage Museum Auction: The Earp Brothers & Cowboys

Sat, Jul 26, 2025 11:00AM EDT
  2025-07-26 11:00:00 2025-07-26 11:00:00 America/New_York North American Auction Company North American Auction Company : Tombstone Western Heritage Museum Auction: The Earp Brothers & Cowboys https://live.naabid.com/auctions/north-american-auction/tombstone-western-heritage-museum-auction-the-earp-brothers-cowboys-20021
Join North American Auction Company on July 26th for a once-in-a-lifetime auction of the Tombstone Western Heritage Museum Collection. This extraordinary sale features the largest private collection of Tombstone history, including rare and historic pieces tied to Wyatt Earp, the Earp Brothers, and the infamous Cochise Cowboys. From original artifacts, outlaw relics, and the largest collection of C.S. Fly photographs, this is a can’t-miss event for collectors of the Old West’s most legendary chapter.
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Lot 482

Morning Star Mine Diorama By W. Humphrey Jr. 1930s

Estimate: $600 - $800
Starting Bid
$200

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $5
$50 $10
$100 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$25,000 $2,500
$100,000 $5,000
For your consideration is this Morning Star Mine diorama hand made by Weldon Humphrey Jr., in the 1930s when he owned the mine. The Morning Star mine, located near Tombstone, Arizona, was discovered by Col. Tom Kelly in 1880. It was part of the larger Tombstone mining district, known for its rich silver deposits. The mine was initially owned by tough local citizens and later drew the attention of Senator Hearst, who was outsmarted in a mining deal by Kelly. The Tombstone district produced a significant amount of silver bullion, with some accounts estimating a total value of $85 million before the mines flooded and had to be shut down. This diorama is hand made and hand painted showing the surface level and the mines below. A man pushing a cart and a man sawing lumber can be seen on the surface while the depths of the mine show five men mining. The elevator shaft and mine cart tracks can be seen as well. A small paper on the diorama reads, "Morning Star Mine / Tombstone, Arizona / Typical small mine of the 1920-30s, producing lead, silver & gold". The diorama was once lit with lights but the cord has been cut. It shows good condition overall with slight wear present from its age and use over the years, but no major signs of damage is noted. It measures 12 1/8" L x 30 1/2" W x 27 1/2" H and weighs 38 pounds and 14 ounces. Provenance: From the Tombstone Western Heritage Museum in Tombstone, Arizona.

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