GAR Memorabilia

[Specster]

I go to a local auction about once a month. They often have items marked "GAR" (pins, banners and such), few weapons. Are these collectable? Im sure they are to someone, but, if you are trying to collect meaningful ACW artifacts, should one pursue such items?

 

[FrankN]

I believe that they are collectable and meaningful. I see many types of GAR items for sale. Certain regiments, units, offices, provenance, etc. would be of more value to some that collect specific items from specific regiments etc. IMHO, compared to wartime items I think most GAR collectables would have less monetary value. Although, I'm sure that some items (I can't think of an example right now) can be worth quite a bit. It seems most ACW collectors have at least a few GAR pieces and I think some collectors focus on GAR. I've only been collecting ACW for less than 10 years and I have much to learn but those are my thoughts.

Frank

 

[relichound]

Post war GAR, and UCV items like fifty years ago were pretty common and really
quite cheap. That is not the case now, and some of the rarer items are quite valuable
and not to be sneezed at any more! A nice post-war grouping could be worth a few thousand
now, if containing really nice items.

 

[Frederick14Va]

As mentioned these post war items had a rather small interest level and collector base... most folks only were interested in war-time items, artifacts and relics.... In more recent years the collector interest in these have been observed to have greatly increased... especially the UCV stuff, ID ladder badges, and specific reunion medallions... GAR items are closing up quickly as well... But they do have a bit smaller collector market for these items...

 

[Gettysburg Echos]

Whatever it is you collect there are ALWAYS three or four special items. When collecting GAR and Post War pieces I would concentrate on the "special" items if I were about value. I have been collecting for over 50 yrs and my rule of thumb has always been if I like it I buy it and let my heirs sort it out.

 

[13th Missouri Cavalry]

I go to a local auction about once a month. They often have items marked "GAR" (pins, banners and such), few weapons. Are these collectable? Im sure they are to someone, but, if you are trying to collect meaningful ACW artifacts, should one pursue such items?

If one's interested in the individual lives of those who served in the war, certainly.

 

[Arioch]

I've been casually looking out, for a number of years, on that combination of: 'good shape/good value/good deal' on a GAR ribbon/medal…not a repro…but an original….still a'lookin'…

So, sure lots of folks will value….If I come across one with some interesting provenance, absolutely would look into it.

I like that kind of stuff….it's fun..