Nevada Appeal StaffIn the once dark, smoky interior of Sharkey's Casino, the items had to be found like treasures.
There was always something to look at in the Gardnerville casino - the saddle collection, paintings of famous Native Americans, knickknacks from floor to ceiling.
Anyone can buy a piece of Sharkey's at auction this weekend when 1,650 lots of items that once inhabited the casino go on sale.
Anchor Auctions manager Bill Fileger said he believes the collection to be the largest ever to go on sale in Reno.
It is certainly the largest in the decade-long history of his auction house.
"Every inch of wall space is taken up," he said. "Some things are single items, some are four or five pieces of advertising."
The material is being sold by Holder Hospitality Group, which bought the casino from Sharkey Begovich on Jan. 1.
Fileger said he has received inquiries from all over the country and from Europe about the collection.
"This is a major auction," he said. "We're packed. I don't think we will have any problem selling everything."
Fileger said his initial estimate of $2.5 million may be conservative for the collection.
"People are telling me that's too low," he said. "We'll just have to wait until next week to find out for real."
Fileger's favorite piece is a red, white and blue staff made of glass.
"It looks like a marching band staff," he said. "But the biggest piece is one of the Bohlin saddles and lassos."
There are also some sterling saddles.
"There are the saddles, all the circus posters, the boxing memorabilia," he said. "I don't think I've ever seen anything like this."
The auction begins on Friday and Fileger is anticipating an overflow crowd.
"We can seat a few hundred, but we'll have some televisions outside," he said. "If we get an overflow, people can still watch and bid. I like to be prepared."
There will be a 10 percent buyers' premium and a $50 registration fee which will be applied toward buyers' purchases.
What: Sharkey's auction
Where: Anchor Auctions, 601 E. 4th St., Reno
Review: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Thursday.
Sale: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday
Cost: $50 registration to bid on Friday through Sunday
Information: 775-827-1801