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Collecting American History Memorabilia
Ask a collector of American history why they collect, and they might give you a variety of reasons including the value of American products or the thrill of the hunt, but one overwhelming reason will always be the sense of nostalgia for times past, and history memorabilia is an excellent way to have a constant reminder of times gone by. Often serious collectors start out as simple hobbyists and soon make their way into dealing in memorabilia and antiques. |
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It is important to remember that the terms antique and collectible may not have any real importance when buying items. It is more dependant upon demand than it is on age. There may be a higher demand for a newer item than a rare antique, which drives the value up. Value is only driven by the desire in the market for any given item. Buy carefully, and do not overspend on antique items with a low market value.
This is a perfect hobby for the history buff. Anyone who loves American history will be ideally suited for collecting memorabilia. Reading books and articles will not only help you figure out which pieces to invest in, it will also help you understand the value of the items you already own. You may find it helpful to define the period that you are interested in focusing on, so you can match your research on that. For instance, if you are interested in pre-Civil War American flags, it will be much easier to pinpoint the best possible places to search for your items. An excellent source of information on early American items is a local museum. Museum curators are often experts in a certain field, and they can be instrumental in finding out which pieces are the most valuable, and where certain hard to find memorabilia can be found. If you are lucky enough to develop a relationship with a museum curator, you will have an expert at hand. Most places have a local museum that focuses on a significant time in the history of the area, and can give you ideas on what to collect. Using the internet to help you learn more about the period you are interested in will save a good deal of legwork. Learn as much as you can online about manufacturers, product lines, and even time periods, and you will find that scouting out new sources of memorabilia will be much easier. Once you feel confident about what you are looking for and a fair market value, it is time to go hunting. Finding memorabilia is often the best part of collecting. While antique dealers usually will not carry anything that is less than one hundred years old, they can be a valuable source of nineteenth century memorabilia. More modern items can be found at live local auctions, estate sales, antique stores, even Amazon.com. Flea markets and swap meets may also yield excellent results since stock and inventory can change often. If you are unable to visit a live auction in person, new companies are sprouting up that conduct live online auctions that can be a good reference point for current market value. |
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 The Great American Cereal Book: How Breakfast Got Its Crunch by Abrams Image RRP: $19.95 Buy New: $13.07 as of 2012-02-04 18:46:14 You Save: $6.88 (34%) |
 American Pickers Guide to Picking (History Channel) by Hyperion RRP: $24.99 Buy New: $12.49 as of 2012-02-04 18:46:14 You Save: $12.50 (50%) |
 Warman's Antiques & Collectibles 2012 Price Guide... by Krause Publications RRP: $27.99 Buy New: $14.40 as of 2012-02-04 18:46:14 You Save: $13.59 (49%) |
 1000 Pin-Up Girls (25th Anniversary Special Edtn) by Taschen RRP: $14.99 Buy New: $10.00 as of 2012-02-04 18:46:14 You Save: $4.99 (33%) |
 Found, Free, and Flea: Creating Collections from Vintage... by Clarkson Potter RRP: $32.50 Buy New: $17.45 as of 2012-02-04 18:46:14 You Save: $15.05 (46%) |
 The Urban Treasure Hunter: A Practical Handbook for... by Square One Publishers RRP: $18.95 Buy New: $12.21 as of 2012-02-04 18:46:14 You Save: $6.74 (36%) |
 Have Yourself a Very Vintage Christmas: Crafts, Decorating... by Stewart, Tabori & Chang RRP: $19.95 Buy New: $12.70 as of 2012-02-04 18:46:14 You Save: $7.25 (36%) |
 Killer Stuff and Tons of Money: Seeking History and Hidden... by Penguin Press HC, The RRP: $26.95 Buy New: $16.00 as of 2012-02-04 18:46:14 You Save: $10.95 (41%) |
 Lost Rights: The Misadventures of a Stolen American Relic by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt This item is currently unavailable |
 Eric Sloane's An Age of Barns: An Illustrated Review of... by Voyageur Press RRP: $16.95 Buy New: $10.82 as of 2012-02-04 18:46:14 You Save: $6.13 (36%) |