Hi all,
I have a few relics that I have obtained over the years and enjoy having them. It give me a real connection to the past and greater appreciation of the history I read. I am about to turn the corner and begin to consider adding to them and start a "collection".
My questions to you are how did you get started with your collection, and what are some things to consider when investing in purchases? What are your best sources for items? Private sellers, shows, dealers, ebay (ebay scares me!)? I am always concerned about authenticity, how do you address that?
I would love to hear all your stories and advice. Would love to hear what you are collecting and why. PM me if you'd prefer.
Thanks
First of all, welcome to the addiction. Once collecting gets into your blood, IT WILL NOT GO AWAY. TRUST ME.
Now, that being said, let me reply to your post, which has multiple questions.
First, you ask how we got started in collecting. I started in 1998. I had joined a CW re-enacting group based here in the Indianapolis area that year, and I was asked to help set up a recruiting booth at the State Fairgrounds for the annual fall Civil War Relics Show (now defunct). I was puzzled and asked, "What is a CW relics show?" I was stunned when it was explained to me that actual artifacts were privately owned and if you had some serious cash, you could buy your very own stuff. I was 29 years old at the time and I had never known this before. I thought all CW artifacts were in museums or locked up in vaults by the government (which is not far off). So that fall I experienced my very first CW show. I was immediately hooked. I bought my first relic there, an early pickup Antietam Battlefield Union foot officer's sword. And it just got worse from there.
Now I want to share some advice. The first thing you need to do before you buy ANYTHING is to educate yourself, as others here already mentioned. Research books, magazines, developing personal relationships with fellow collectors and professional dealers. My best tip to you is, before you even buy research material, take some time to sit down, and give serious consideration to: 1. What type of artifacts you want, and 2. What you can afford. Once you figure out what you can afford, then begin to educate yourself. Along with this, I also suggest that your collection have a "theme". What do you want? Buttons? Bullets? Weapons? Accoutrements? Uniforms? Artillery? Infantry? Cavalry? Navy? Union? Confederate? The list goes on and on. Formulate a theme for your collection and stick to it. Don't make the mistake that I and many others have made over the years. I wanted "everything". I bought weapons, accouterments, canteens, cartridge boxes, all kinds of stuff. And then after 10 years of collecting, I looked around and realized my collection had no rhyme nor reason. So I sold most of it and basically started over. I developed an intense interest of the Union Navy's role in the CW, and I also love Indiana identified artifacts, so now I only collect items related to those two categories.
As far as investing in artifacts, remember that you are not doing this as a financial investment, you do it because you love it. That being said, you should never pay more for something than what it is worth. Don't buy on impulse, sit back and think about it first. (Even though many of us don't..lol). The only time I do that anymore is if I came across a rare artifact that I have been looking for, and knowing it might be years (or never) until I find another one.
Authenticity. Since you are new to the game, my advice is DO NOT BUY FROM EBAY. Only after you gain experience and knowledge can you somewhat safely traverse that field. I tend not to buy on ebay, unless I find something I want and know the difference if it is the real deal or not.
If you want to be safe, and treated fairly, the best thing to do is go to CW artifact shows. If you live in Virginia, there surely must be reputable dealers out there. The two largest annual shows and my favorites are: The Ohio CW Relics Show in Mansfield, OH, and the Middle Tennessee CW Show in Franklin, TN. Those are safe venues for acquiring authentic, fine CW artifacts.
I tend to do most of my business with 4 principle CW artifact dealers: Dave Taylor in Toledo, OH, John Spicer of Champion Hills Relics in Mississippi, Larry Hicklin of Yesteryear Artifacts in Murfreesboro, TN, and Rafael Eldridge of Shiloh Relics, also TN. These are well known, long time established dealers that know their stuff, and guarantee their artifacts. I sincerely hopes this helps.
Bringing the