Robin Olds: Fighter Pilot pre-order + video

Greetings militaria collectors and thanks again for vising Manion's collecting news. A blog about military collectibles from the leader in militaria sales, Manion's International Auction House of Kansas City. We've gotten word from the estate that the memoirs of iconic fighter pilot Robin Olds is available for pre-sale with Amazon - this link will take you to the proper page: Robin Olds: Fighter Pilot - get 'em while their hot.

Also, check out this new River Rats video commemorating the life of Robin Olds - and all o0f the Airmen who served our country, absolutely amazing:

Mountains of Militaria - www.manions.com

There's no place like Manion's - check out this quick and dirty video highlighting the semi trailer that showed up on our loading dock last week!

Wyandotte County Historical Society Appraisel Fair Fundraiser

Greetings again, and thanks for reading Manion's Collecting News, a blog related to collecting militaria and historic collectibles.

We had a great event over the weekend: the first annual Wyandotte County Historical Society Appraisal Fair Extravaganza, a fundraiser for the Wyandotte County Museum. The county is facing a budget shortage, and, as usual, the bean counters can't add up the many benefits museums offer and they are the first to have their budgets cut. At any rate, we were glad to help out.

A few months ago, we helped organize a similar event with our friends at Kansas City Public Television and the folks at the museum enlisted our assistance for their worthy cause. While not a lot of militaria came through the door, we did see some FANTASTIC pieces: a late 1800s Louis Vitton steamer trunk, Black Betsy baseball bat, tiffany lamps, vintage guitars, 120 year old tin toys - and so much more.

In addition to Manion's staff, we enlisted the help of collectors and professionals from around the metro area: Dirk Soulis of Dirk Soulis Auctions, John Bryant of Bryant Clock Restoration, Jason Roske of Kansas City Auction Company, Rob Lee of Waldo Antique Mall and Flea Market, Ron Brown of Better Books, Kirk Doan of Ozark Philatelics & Collectibles, and Matt Kessler and Darren Welch of Midwestern Musical Company - THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP!

We're already ramping up to do another event - stay tuned for details!

Different variations of fake SS insignia

Hello again, and thanks for reading Manion's Collecting News - a blog related to militaria collecting from Manion's International Auction House. Each and every day we have auctions closing - 365 Days a Year - with hundreds (sometimes thousands!) available in each. We operate on a consignment basis, with items sent to our Kansas City, Kansas facility from around the world; UPS, USPS, and FedEx show up on our doorstep every day (if you have something you'd like to consign give us a call and we'll arrange for them to show up on yours).

At any rate, I saw a grouping of reproduction SS insignia listed today, and I thought would be a nice reference for collectors. 10 in all, with several different variations. Clicking on the image should bring up a larger version in your viewer. Feel free to save to your computer and share.

Also, I noticed we still have several period Pearl Harbor themed celluloid buttons that keep rotating in and out of the auction. It seems they are all priced $50 and over. To me, this seems pretty expensive - but is it really? It's just kind of hard to shell out a hard earned Ulysses S. Grant for a tiny little pin back button, for sure - but think how they would be priced at a roadside attraction antique mall (probably 3x that) - or even at a collector show (the dealer would probably set $80 or so as a point to start the discussion).

Think about it: How many of these buttons do you really ever see at antique malls or shows? Certainly they are out there, but as I type this I can't think of the last time I have seen one. Will they be worth $50 today into $500 in a few years? Probably not. But owning an true piece of Pearl Harbor history is an investment on many levels, certain to rise in value over time.

Robin Olds: Fighter Pilot

Well folks, you saw it here first . . . this is the new cover (at least the proposed new cover) for the Robin Olds memoirs: Fighter Pilot. Fantastic. I believe the drop date is sometime in May, Manion's was lucky enough to get a sneak peek at the front cover. What a great picture; a true American hero. I've heard through the grapevine that Olds' introduction in the book will give you goosebumps. Guess we'll have to wait until spring, but who knows - maybe we'll get treated with an advance copy this winter. I'll let you know.

The third auction of memorabilia from his estate is currently underway on our online auction website: www.manions.com.

MAX 2009

Hello all.

We've returned from the MAX Militaria Show in Monroeville, PA - it was quite an event. If you missed us there, it may be because our tables were all the way in the back - and in a side room. We do need a lot of room to operate at these events since we usually pick up so much consignment; we sure had it . . . One thing for sure, the new facility is 100% better than the old one - kudos to the organizers for setting it up.

As usual, it was great to see all of our friends and consignors - and meet some new ones as well. Ralf Gantzel, our man in Hamburg, came with his lovely wife Meryem. After the show they were off for Miami and the Keys on a belated honeymoon. We don't get to see Ralf enough over here in the states - but are reminded that he is always working hard for us in Germany when he sends us pallets of consignment every month. We're lucky to have him on the Manion's team.

Again, I noticed many upstart auction companies at the event. It seems that most are actually just dealers, selling their own merch in an online auction format. I wonder how many times a conversation about "consignment" ends up being a direct purchase in the dealer's best interest? I picked up one company's, flyer listing their realized auction prices with a phrase something to the effect of: "Why wait for your money?". I guess if getting less for your items is what you want to do, and you're in desperate need of quick money, then go for it - but if you're serious about getting the highest dollar value for your items, then Manion's International Auction House is definitely the way to go - as all of those who dropped off consignment at the 2009 MAX Show know.

I heard many dealers complaining about low sales at the event (but they had to have something to complain about, right?), and the traffic did seem slow - but I also saw money changing hands all over the place. A militaria show of this scale is such a unique event, and different from other "trade shows" in that many times the dealers themselves are each others best customers; If you're a serious militaria collector or dealer, you gotta make it to the MAX.

When we're in Pittsburgh, we always enjoy a stop into Primanti Brothers for one of their world famous sandwiches. Being from Kansas City, coleslaw on top of barbecue is ridiculous - but truth be told, their vinegar based slaw adds a perfect punch. Ralf was leery at first, but as you can tell from the picture below he didn't find it all that bad.

So, after 30 hours on the road we're back in the 913 safe and sound - with a truck packed full of consignment (we made a stop in St. Louis, too, and picked up a heck of a firearms collection). Check the site often to see what is new: the premier source to buy and sell militaria, firearms, and historic collectibles - Manion's International Auction House.

Long time no post . . .

Why is it that when things get busy at a small company like ours, the blog is the first thing to be neglected? I suppose one reason is there is usually only one person who maintains the damn thing, and if that one person happens to be "in the weeds" with other work, the poor blog looses steam. It's unfortunate because, at least for this writer, it's one of the most enjoyable aspects of the job. Of course, at the other end of the spectrum there are those who make multiple posts a day on similar sites. Not sure where they get all the time, but more power to 'em.

Well, at any rate, it is high time for another post about Manion's International Auction House, Inc. of Kansas City. Not only have we recently received two pallets full of militaria consignment from our office in Hamburg, Germany, but we have just returned from THREE different trips "on the road" collecting consignment. We've traveled up and down the East Coast, from Miami to New York literally, and brought back thousands of items from all countries and time periods. In addition, we made another trip out to Northern California, and a HUGE delivery is due this week.

Curiously enough, at militaria shows one always hears the "it's not like the good 'ol days, there's no more stuff out there" conversation. We beg to differ . . . check the site often for updates. The new material will be hitting the auction soon. No time like the present for you to send in consignment as well. We'll be attracting a lot of traffic in response to this new material - why not throw your items in the mix? Call today - 866.626.4661.