Manion's list it yourself auction info. and news

I put my first item on Manion’s new “List it Yourself” auction…wow, it was so easy. Now, I’m not just saying that as an employee of the company, it was really simple. I’m surprised I didn’t do it sooner!

Once again, Manion’s is ahead of the curve when it comes to the buying and selling of militaria and other historic collectibles. In addition to being easy (easier than eBay I might add), the site itself is very clean and easy to navigate. There’s not all the flashing commercial bells and whistles of other online auctions, you click on the page and get down to business.

The fees are similar to eBay and are as follows:

Bold Listing $0.25

Category Featured $9.95

Dutch Auction $0.25

Extra Pictures $0.10

Final Sale 3%

Gallery Listing 0.15

Highlight Listing $2.50

Home Page Featured $14.95

Listing Fees: $0.10 - for items starting between .01 and .99

$0.20 For items starting between 1.00 and 9.99

$0.35 For items starting between 10. 00 and 24.99

$1.00 For items starting between 25.00 and 49.99

$2.00 For items starting at 50.00 and higher

Store Setup $49.95 - Store Monthly $19.95

It’s all still a new process, but definitely a new marketplace the collecting community should be excited about. Bid, sell or just check it out today! Manion’s list it yourself online collectibles auction

And now the news…

U.S. Navy veteran shares firsthand history

Ledyard Jeffrey "Jeff" Crocker, 83, has a box filled with medals, news clippings and other memories from a time long past and fading like the 1945 newspapers.

It was a time when young men and women served their country because, "It was the thing to do," according to Crocker.

New Airborne Laser Detects Mines

Navy officials observed the roll-out of the first low-rate initial production unit of the Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS) in an official ceremony at Northrop Grumman Corporation and Integrated Systems Division’s, Melbourne, Fla., facility on January, 26^th.

A Quality Offering at the East Coast Fine Arms Show

Touted as the best gun show in the Atlantic region, the East Coast Fine Arms Show, January 5–7, was once again well received by serious collectors and shooting enthusiasts from throughout the Northeast. Now only in its second year, this show, managed by Newman and Carol Chittenden and Martin Fasack, has gained a solid reputation, one that revolves around the principles that management strives to present — quality merchandise with an emphasis on antique firearms and associated items, collectibles and high quality contemporary sporting shotguns and rifles.

Japanese court rejects war oprhans’compensation claim

Forty Japanese nationals left behind in China as children at the end of World War Two have lost a legal battle for compensation.

The Tokyo District Court rejected their demand that the state pay compensation for failing to take adequate steps to repatriate them from China and help them resettle in their homeland

2 air force officers to join shuttle crew

Two Air Force officers will be part of space shuttle mission STS-123, joining two Navy officers, a civilian and a Japanese astronaut, according to United Press International.

Air Force Col. Gregory Johnson will pilot the shuttle and Air Force Maj. Robert Behnken will be onboard as the crew delivers Japanese and Canadian experimental systems to the International Space Station.

Thanks for reading

Sunday Times Reports Widespread Shill Bidding on eBay

A newspaper report finds many dealers on auction site Ebay artificially driving up bids, forcing consumers to pay more for offered items than they should.

The Sunday Times of London said it undertook an extensive investigation and found so called "shill" bidding is widespread across the popular site.

Among the evidence the newspaper presented to its readers was a transcript of a taped conversation with one of Britain's major eBay dealers, who admitted that he used associates to bid up prices of his offerings.

New Study: eBay Feedback Often Fraudulent

The online auction site eBay allows users to boost their reputations each time they complete a sale. But this system may have a flaw: A new study finds that eBay is home to a thriving black market for positive feedback–with some sellers buying reputations they don't deserve.

Some eBay users are artificially boosting their reputations by buying and selling feedback on the Internet auction site, according to John Morgan, a professor at the University of California–Berkeley's Haas School of Business.

Germans may restrict airborne data sharing in Afghanistan

Germany would impose 'rules' on its sharing of aerial reconnaissance data with allies fighting the Taliban in southern Afghanistan, according to a German Defence Ministry spokesman in Berlin on Monday.

Berlin is still mulling a NATO request for help from six German Tornado jets packed with cameras and intelligence-gathering equipment. Germany has deployed peacekeepers to Afghanistan, but insists they remain in relatively safe Kabul and the north.

82^nd Airborne Vet Claims $254 Powerball prize

Second World War veteran and his family stepped forward Monday to claim a Powerball jackpot worth more than a quarter-billion dollars, one of the largest single-ticket lottery prizes in U.S. history.

82nd Airborne Division Soldiers Receive Combat Badges

Various combat badges were awarded yesterday to Soldiers from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division who have faced enemy contact in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Navy, Congress Mull Nuclear Ships

Only mammoth aircraft carriers and stealthy submarines are powered by nuclear reactors in today’s Navy, but the idea of creating nuclear-powered surface warships for the first time in years is getting increased attention from the department and Congress.

Navy oceanographic office moving to Pass Christian

The Naval Oceanographic Office is moving its boat operations from Gulfport to the Pass Christian harbor and will build a permanent facility there, officials say.

"We got a letter from the Coast Guard (a few months ago) saying they wouldn't be able to accommodate us on their site," said Carl Sellers with the Naval Facilities Southeast region command.

USS Newport News sub commander after collision

A U.S. submarine commander has been removed from his post after his vessel collided with a Japanese tanker in the Gulf, the U.S. Navy said on Monday.

The USS Newport News nuclear-powered submarine collided with the Japanese vessel, the Mogamigawa, on January 8 in the Strait of Hormuz, a major waterway for oil transportation, the U.S. military has said.

More News from Around the World

Hello again folks - thanks for reading. Looks like the 0% buyer's commission is going well - don't forget to place your bid today!

Here are some more links to news stories from around the world that may be of interest to you. I've copied the first paragraph or so of each story, simply click on the headline if you want to read more.

Well, enjoy the rest of your weekend and we'll see you back here soon!

Today in History – January, 27^th 2007

On this date:

In 1756, composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in Salzburg, Austria.

In 1880, Thomas Edison received a patent for his electric incandescent lamp.

In 1901, opera composer Giuseppe Verdi died in Milan, Italy, at age 87.

In 1943, some 50 bombers struck Wilhelmshaven in the first all-American air raid against Germany during World War Two.

Military air ambulance unit disbanded

The original helicopter "Dustoff" unit, the Fort Bragg-based 57th Medical Company, saved the lives of thousands of U.S. soldiers in Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, Afghanistan and Iraq. In Iraq alone, its Black Hawks carried more than 4,500 casualties to safety.

Baumholder re-enactment brings history to life

The firefight started out innocuously enough. Little kids ran across the road near deserted buildings, and civilians stood around waiting and watching.

Then a handful of American soldiers came running down the road and some German soldiers appeared from inside small buildings. The battle was on.

KGB was intent on linking Pope Pius XII to Nazis

A former high-ranking officer with the KGB claims that the Kremlin and the Russian intelligence agency in the 1960s were set on executing a smear campaign against the Catholic Church, and the main target was Pope Pius XII.

In a recent issue of the National Review Online, Lt. General Ion Mihai Pacepa, who eventually defected from the former Soviet bloc, recounts how the KGB and the Kremlin designed the deliberate campaign to portray the Pius XII “as a coldhearted Nazi sympathizer.”

Navajo U.S. Marine Granted "Conscientious Objector" Status

The military has granted "conscientious objector status" to a Navajo medicine man. Ronnie Tallman joined the U.S. Marines and was deployed to Iraq, but argued he couldn't go because he was a special type of medicine man.

A bit of WWII stays deep inside one vet

Sixty-two years ago, Noah "Ed" Bearden of south St. Louis County picked up a wartime souvenir that he carries around to this day.

The souvenir? A Japanese machine gun bullet that slammed into his side on Iwo Jima. He has the X-ray to prove it.

Pieces of WWII memorial come back together

A wall that once honored World War II veterans is slowly starting to be put back together.

The memorial, bearing the names of local veterans who served in the war, was located in front of the Coshocton County Courthouse from 1942 to 1947. The soldiers' names were painted in alphabetical order on the 10-panel board that ran along Main Street from Third to Fourth streets. The boards were removed in 1947 and weren't recovered until Fred Workman told local historians Margaret Lowe and Dan Markley about them.

European WWII veterans protest against Estonia plans

The actions of the Estonian authorities around the monument to the Liberator Soldier have triggered strong protests of the European veterans of the Resistance Movement, Michel Vanderborgt, President of the International Federation of Members of the Resistance Movement (FIR), told Itar-Tass.

Book captures WWII story of sailor who taught baseball to German prisoners

The night before he died, Gary Moore's father told his son the most important story he would ever hear. The story was one of triumph, tragedy, and, most importantly, relationships --- and would eventually become "Playing with the Enemy."

Russian Chief Rabbi denounces removal of WWII monuments

There is much in common between the organizers of the Holocaust and the initiators of the pulling down of monuments to liberator soldiers. This is the opinion of the Federation of the Jewish Communities of Russia.

“Disrespect for the memory of the liberator soldiers leads directly to the revision of the results of World War II and, in the long run, to the denial of the Nazi crimes,” says a statement, issued by Berl Lazar, Chief Rabbi of the Federation of Jewish Communities, on the occasion of the International Day of the Memory of Holocaust Victims, which is observed on Saturday.

Polish official: Poles near Auschwitz were not indifferent to Holocaust

Poland's president paid homage on the 62nd anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz to those people living near the Nazi death camp who risked their lives to help inmates during World War II.

At a ceremony outside the site Saturday, Holocaust survivors and local residents listened to a letter from President Lech Kaczynski in which he said that the world has underestimated the determination of people outside the camp to save prisoners.

In the news...

Hello history enthusiasts!

Thanks for stopping by the Manion’s blog – we hope you are enjoying the 0% buyers commission weekend. It’s been very well received when we’ve initiated it in the past - look for us to do it again in the near future.

A peruse of the news over the past couple of days has turned up several interesting stories related to WWII, history, militaria, and collecting in general. I plan to keep posting these here, so feel free to post comments, forward news stories, and let us know what you think.

1939 Auto Union D-Type Racer up for auction

A RARE German racing car, developed in a program created by Hitler's regime, was displayed for the first time this week as auctioneers predicted it would become the world's most expensive car to be sold at auction.

A Castle in the Forest – New fictional work about the Hitler’s childhood by Norman Mailer

There’s something ploddingly literal about Norman Mailer’s new novel on the  childhood of Adolph Hitler, his father and mother, brothers and sisters, their incestuous background and rural poverty, and the internecine warfare between parents and adolescents, complete with sexual conquests, self-absorbed tirades, willful assaults and final flights.

America’s Most Wanted to cover Medal of Honor theft

The television show "America's Most Wanted" will feature a segment on the theft of seven Medals of Honor, trying to spark some new leads in a case long gone cold.

You Can Judge The Mainstream Media By The Respect Or Disrespect It Gives America's Heroes

I spend less and less time checking on the mainstream mass media and their incredible anti-American, anti-military, biased and dishonest journalism. My lack of interest arises because their dark and degenerate disloyalty and dishonest and fraudulent journalism is so clear that further discussion and documentation would serve no purpose.

The Western Reserve Historical Society seeks personal stories from WWII vets

The Western Reserve Historical Society (WRHS) plans to open an exhibit in September, 2007 about Cleveland’s involvement in World War II.

The organization is seeking personal stories from Clevelanders who were directly involved in the war, either on the battlefield, serving overseas, or living and working for the war effort in Cleveland.

German Group Seeks WWII Reparations from Poland

A lawsuit filed in the European Court of Human Rights by an obscure German group seeking reparations from Poland for property lost after World War II would seem to have little chance for success.

Bell delivers first production H-1 helicopters to the US Marine Corps

Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc.company, today delivered the first production AH-1Z attack to the U.S. Department of Defense. Earlier this month the first UH-1Y utility helicopter was delivered. These two helicopters comprise the H-1 program that will ultimately provide 280 upgraded attack and utility helicopters to the United States Marine Corps.

Dog Tag and Memories Come Home to Vietnam Veteran

A veteran from Henderson opened an envelope the other day and found something he hadn't seen in three and a half decades—his dog tag from Vietnam.

Andy Roberson had thought that thin piece of metal was gone forever, lost the day he was wounded 5 ½ months into his time in-country as an American soldier.

Stolen Valor Act

Stolen Valor Act HR3352

What is it? A bill introduced by Congressman John T. Salazar of Colorado to prosecute those who impersonate Medal of Honor, Silver Star, Bronze Star, Navy Cross, and Purple Heart recipients. Click here to read the actual bill.

The bill was signed by President Bush on December 21, 2006.

We have been advised that this act has not yet been codified and enacted. It may be subject to alterations based on the interpretation of those who write it as a law. Currently, this is being handled by the Department of Heraldry. The degree to which collector's are affected depends on this interpretation. As far as we can determine, it stands only as a passed resolution at this time.

We feel that the bill’s original intent to prosecute imposters is reasonable and necessary and fully support that aspect. However, the part of the bill making it a crime to trade in US Military Medals concerns us a great deal. We believe this will have unintended consequences to the collecting community.

As we understand the issue at this time, Citizens of other countries are not subject to this law when making transactions outside of the United States. However they, nor U.S. citizens, will be able to purchase US medals from within the United States. It is also our understanding that the ownership of U.S. medals will not be against the law, only buying, selling or otherwise bartering for them within the United States.

Manion’s considers researching this subject to be our responsibility to the collecting community. We are currently in contact with, and awaiting response from, government representatives, and hope to have clarifying information available here soon.

For now, we encourage collectors to review the legislation as it is currently written, and voice their concerns to their Congressional Representatives by e-mail, telephone, and in person. Enter your zip code to find contact information for your elected officials here.

Related Links:

Article by Robert F. Door

Discussion Thread on OMSA Forum (Orders & Medals Society of America)

0% Buyers Commission This Weekend!

No Buyer’s Commission!

This weekend Manion’s Auction will reinstate 0% commission for all items purchased Saturday, January 27th and Sunday, January 28th - auctions 20070127 and 20070128!

Buyers normally pay 15% of the total sale price for items purchased from Manion’s. As a special promotion this weekend - the fee is waived.

Hundreds of items are set to close this weekend – be sure you take advantage of this unique opportunity!

Some items of interest include:

Confederate “Dog River” Calvary Saber with Scabbard – item # 5834039

Civil War Tin Drum Canteen – item # 5834042

Old West Photographic Image on Tin Featuring Firearms – item # 5834062

US AEF Balloon Section Unit History and more – item # 5761986

WWII Women’s Army Service Pilot (WASP) Flight Suit – item # 5847784

Afrika Korps 3rd Model Tunic – item # 5817309

HJ and RAD Photo Album – item # 5848454

DRL Sports Badge and Booklet Named to Fallschirmjager - # 5852357

Saxon Senior NCO parade Spike Helmet – item # 5846606

Afrika Korps Pith Helmet – item # 5848478

Several WWII Japanese Items – medals, photos, field gear, uniforms and more

Several WWII German Knights Cross Winner Postcards

NSDAP Silver Service Items

Simply sign in at http://www.manions.com/ and click the 0% Commission Bidder’s Special button in the middle of the page.

New List It Yourself Auctions!

On January 1, 2007, Manion's launched a new website that allows sellers to List It Yourself. We will continue to offer our traditional consignment services, but felt the marketplace was in need of a online auction platform that catered to Historical Collectibles only.

You can visit this new site by clicking here.

Why are we doing this?
With the way the collecting hobby has evolved, it is apparent that many collectors are totally comfortable selling items themselves in an online format. For a variety of reasons, not everyone wants to consign items to our traditional auctions.

How are we different than other online auctions?

1. This site will only offer historical collectibles so buyers won't have to wade through pages and pages of items they are not interested in.

2. Sellers will have to be approved so that buyers will feel comfortable in placing bids.

3. Our fees will be lower than eBay. For more information on our fees, click here.

4. We will not remove items in the World War II German category.

(Manion's International Auction House, Inc. understands that some of the artifacts listed on our website may be deemed sensitve by some. Manion's does not support or glorify Nazism, Facisim, or any other dictatorial regime or destructive ideology. We present all artifacts in their original historical context to historians, private collectors, museums, archives, and re-enactors.)

We look forward to seeing you online,


Manion's International Auction House, Inc.