National Auction USA
The Estate of Dr. William “Bruce” Ellis, Jr. — Butte, Montana
16th Annual New Year's Day Auction — Featured Estate
3625 S 56th St W
For fifty years, Dr. William “Bruce” Ellis, Jr. cared for Montana. As a physician, he practiced across Anaconda, Great Falls, and Butte — private practice, emergency critical care, wilderness medicine, and finally as a hospitalist at St. James Healthcare — mentoring generations of physicians and treating patients with a bedside manner people remembered.
Outside the exam room, Bruce was a passionate student of history, especially the Civil War and the history of Butte and its mines, and an avid reader with a personal library that reflects a lifetime of curiosity. He spent decades building one of the more remarkable personal collections we've had the privilege to bring to auction. Confederate wartime bonds and correspondence, historical artifacts tied to Butte's mining era, oil paintings, antique country-store advertising and cutlery displays, and a deep run of Victorian furniture fill this Butte home — the kind of wide-ranging, deeply personal collection that comes along only rarely.
On January 1, 2027, National Auction USA sells Dr. Ellis's collection online as the featured estate of our 16th Annual New Year's Day Auction, conducted from Billings, Montana — a fitting tribute to a man who spent his life caring for people, and his time away from it caring for history.
A Sneak Peek at the Collection
Cataloging is in progress. These are the pieces our team has reached so far.
Civil War & Manuscripts
A passionate student of the Civil War, Dr. Ellis built a collection of wartime paper.
Framed 1862 handwritten letter
Displayed with its mailing cover and a blue postage stamp. Condition and provenance to come with cataloging.
Framed Confederate States of America bond
$100 denomination, with interest coupons attached along the bottom. Authenticity and condition to come with cataloging.
- A Robert E. Lee portrait, Confederate flag, and related Civil War grouping
Paintings
Framed paintings in gilt frames, several signed. The lily-pond canvas above is the second painting signed Didier.
Framed river-town painting, signed Didier
A stone bridge over a river in an ornate gilt frame. Signed at lower left in red. Medium, dimensions, and details to come with cataloging.
Framed winter landscape, signed
A snowy wooded landscape with a stream, in a gilt frame. Signed at lower right. Artist, date, and dimensions to come with cataloging.
Country Store & Advertising
Display cases and advertising pieces from the age of the general store.
Schrade Cutlery Company display case
An oak countertop case with a gold-lettered glass lid marked Schrade Cutlery Company, Walden, N.Y. Condition to come with cataloging.
Curved-glass oak display case
An oak case with a curved glass top and wire shelves, holding an assortment of small collectibles. Contents and condition to come with cataloging.
- A National Biscuit Company oak display shelf
- A Remington Autoloading Shotguns advertising broadside
- A figural advertising piece
- Shelves of vintage advertising tins
Victorian Furniture & Lighting
Victorian furniture and leaded-glass lighting from across the house.
Carved oak mantel with beveled mirror tiles
Dimensions and condition to come with cataloging.
Peacock-pattern leaded-glass lamp
A stained-glass table lamp with a peacock-feather pattern and red glass jewels, on a cast metal base. Maker, age, and condition to come with cataloging.
Geometric leaded-glass lamp
A paneled shade in amber and green glass with red accents, on a cast metal base with a pull chain. Maker, age, and condition to come with cataloging.
- A barrister bookcase
- A full antique brass bed
- A tiger-oak curved-glass china cabinet
- A roll-top desk
Photography & Early Americana
Portraits, folk art, and the everyday objects of the 1800s.
Wall cabinet of antique portrait photographs
An oak wall cabinet holding cased portrait photographs in gilt mats. They appear to be tintypes and ambrotypes from the 1800s. Count and details to come with cataloging.
Stand of antique and vintage walking canes
Handles in antler, metal, and wood, among other materials. Count and condition to come with cataloging.
- A folk-art painting of the American flag and the Pledge of Allegiance
Butte Mining History
Dr. Ellis collected the history of the city where he practiced.
- A Moulton Mining Company stock certificate
- Historical artifacts and ephemera tied to Butte's mining era
More From the Collection
A personal library built over a lifetime. A carved soapstone “Grizzly and Cub” sculpture. A chinoiserie gilt-bronze mirror and candle sconce. A framed shadow box of vintage fishing lures. Also pictured: decorative plates, art glass, a carved fish plaque, and a pronghorn mount.
This is an extensive estate, and many more pieces are still being uncovered as our team works through the collection. Check back as the full catalog comes to light.
Cataloging Is Underway
These rooms hold more than this page can list. Every cabinet and drawer is still being opened.
Dining room, Butte. A plate rail of decorative plates, a gilt-framed floral painting, oak cabinets, and art glass — and this is one room.
Study, Butte. A leaded-glass barrister bookcase, a roll-top desk with every pigeonhole still full, and a curio case of small collectibles.
Kitchen, Butte. Vintage advertising tins line the cabinet tops, with antique jars and oak cabinets below. We haven't opened most of them.
Have Something That Belongs Next to This Estate?
An estate like this draws collectors from well beyond Montana: Civil War and Western history, advertising, art, and Victorian furniture. Consignments added to this auction sell in front of that audience. If you have a collection or a few standout pieces that belong here, call before December 1 — or sooner, because consignments close when the auction fills.
You don't need to have it inventoried first. That's our job. Drop-off at our Billings location is preferred, and we can arrange pickup for select items. Commission rates depend on the type and value of items, and we discuss them upfront so there are zero surprises.
Call 406-259-4730Prefer email? [email protected]
Common Questions
When does the New Year's Day auction close?
The 16th Annual New Year's Day Auction closes Friday, January 1, 2027 at 2:00 PM MST. Bidding is online only, and the bidding-open date will be announced on this page.
Who was Dr. William “Bruce” Ellis Jr.?
Dr. Ellis was a Montana physician for fifty years, practicing in Anaconda, Great Falls, and Butte, and finishing his career as a hospitalist at St. James Healthcare. He was also a student of Civil War history and of Butte and its mines, and his collection reflects both.
Can I consign items to this auction?
Yes. National Auction USA is accepting consignments for the 16th Annual New Year's Day Auction until December 1, or sooner if the auction fills. Call 406-259-4730 to discuss your items. Drop-off at our Billings location is preferred, and we can arrange pickup for select items.
Do I need to organize or inventory my items before I call?
No. You don't need to sort or inventory anything first. Call us with a general description of what you have, and our team handles the cataloging and listing.
Where does the auction take place?
The auction is online only, conducted by National Auction USA from Billings, Montana, at 3625 S 56th St W, Billings, MT 59101. The Ellis estate's collection comes from a home in Butte.
Auction & Consignment Questions
National Auction USA
Auction conducted by National Auction USA Estates
3625 S 56th St W, Billings, MT 59101
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