Photos of new inventory

Hello militaria collectors!

Here are some basic photos of the new inventory we recieved on Friday. Look for them to be live and accepting bids on www.manions.com within the next few weeks. This should give you a basic idea of some of the items, as Guy Manion, Brian Bowerman, and John Conway began to assess the collection.

Just arrived - HUGE COLLECTION!

It's been an interesting day here at Manion's International Auction House. One of our longtime customers is paying us a visit all the way from Brazil. He'll be hanging out for the next few days, examining some inventory and purchases. Looks like he'll be attending some area gun shows with our own Pat McWilliams as well. Gun shopping with Pat - now that's a good time!

We also had a consignor deliver a portion of his collection right to our door step today (see video posted below). He drove it in from Arkansas and dropped it off. I wish I had a picture of that car - it was packed to the brim with militaria: US and German WWII uniforms, US Vietnam uniforms, US WWI uniforms and helmets, German WWI spiked helmets, rifles, handguns - and so much more. There is also a WWII Falschirmjager camo parachute that appears to be totally complete. He said there is more where that came from...

So keep your eyes on the auction for these things to be placed up for bidding.

In addition, we will soon be offering a dress formerly owned by Hitler's Mistress Eva Braun. It is well documented in the book: Collectors Guide to "Liberated" Adolf Hitler Memorabilia by Mark D. Griffith. The reserve on this unique item will be set at $2000 (see video posted below).

Thanks for reading Manion's Collecting News. As a reader, you have a potential advantage over other bidders, as you will receive advance notice of many auction items and are able to prepare accordingly.

We have quite a few regular readers currently, with more signing up to receive updates via e-mail. To receive notification in your inbox when new posts are made, simply enter your address in the box on the right hand side of the page.

Thanks again for reading, and happy collecting!

Minneapolis - St. Paul Military Relic and Weapon Collectors Show - VIDEO

Hello folks.

I'm going to try again to post the video from the Minneapolis - St. Paul Military Relic and Weapon Collectors Show. It's nothing fancy, but should at least give those of you who couldn't make it an idea of what went on.

Stay tuned for more militaria collecting news and updates about future events attended by Manion's International Auction House!

Minneapolis - St. Paul Military Relic and Weapon Collectors Show - Day Two

Greetings militaria enthusiasts - thanks for reading Manion's Collecting News!

Day two of the show is a bit slower, as is usually the case, but there is still a lot going on. I just had a long chat with a couple of WWII Air Corps guys - they are something else.

Jr. Gossell was an 8th Air Force / 487th Bomb Group B-17 Co- Pilot and flew 21 missions out of Lavenham, England andVincent parker was a B-17 Tail gunner with the 15th / 301st BG / 32nd BS and flew 41 missions from Foggia, Italy. These guys are full of stories, and I could have talked to them for hours and hours. I bet they will be at the October show (13th and 14th, 2007) - so stop by and say hello.

It looks like we're bringing back some FANTASTIC stuff. So far we've accepted quite a bit of consignment, some of the high points include:

• A nicely documented dress belonging to Hitler's mistress Eva Braun
• Some nice Vietnam era Navy Seal uniform items
• A Fulton Skyhook grouping
• A nice "Baghdad Bob" Iraqi Information Minister group including an original passport and a set of shoulder boards.

And much more to come! Be sure to check out www.manions.com for more detailed info soon!

Minneapolis / St. Paul Militaria Show - Day One

This is a GREAT little show. Probably 200 or so vendor tables - with a lot of quality militaria. There are some nice military vehicles on site as well. It's nice to see our old customers from the area - and great making new ones!

There are some familiar faces here as vendors, too. Our good friend Jim McDuff has several tables. For those of you who don't know, McDuff is one of the foremost authorities on unit crests in the world and is an insignia collector extrodinaire. His US Army collar disc books are the definitive works on the subject, and he has instituted many of the identification terms used today.

Also, John Phillips has a table at the show. Probably every US Army WWII reenactor in the greater Kansas City area has bought uniform items or field gear from Phillips. He always seem to have what you need, and doesn't price his items totally out of reach for someone getting started in the hobby.

Carl "Slim" Hanson came with us to this event, and is a nice addition to the team. Hopefully he will be able to work with us more in the future.

We've already taken in some great consignment that will be up for bid in the near future - one of which is a nice a collection of WWII German Fire Brigade insignia.

I was hoping to post some video of the show here as well, but I can't seem to get it to upload.

I'll keep trying, so check back for updates

Minneapolis / St. Paul Militaria Show

Well, we landed at the show today safe and sound. Looks like it's going to be a good one - lot's of tables in a great old historic building on the Minnesota Fairgrounds. There's a gun show a couple of doors down as well - excellent!

It will be an early day tomorrow, I'll post again then, and hopefully some video as well.

We're looking forward to it - stay tuned for updates throughout the weekend!

Military Relic and Weapon Collectors Show

A reminder that we will be attending the Military Relic and Weapon Collectors Show at the Progress Center Building on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in Minneapolis this weekend - Apr 21 - 22, 2007.

We will have a few items for sale: US Coast Guard Insignia, Manion's Market Reports, and British Military Visor Caps. All of these items will be priced to sell.

Also, we will be accepting consignment at our booth. So download a consignment form and box those items up. Of course, we will also have consignment forms available at the table.

Stop by and say hello, and pick up a FREE issue of the May issue of Military Trader at the table as well.

For those of you who can't make the event, I'll be attempting some live blogging from the scene. I'm hoping to incorporate photo and videos as well - let's hope the technology cooperates...

See you at the rendezvous!

Greetings Militaria Collectors!

Hello again, and thanks for reading Manion's Collecting News.

We regret not being able to attend the Machine Gun Shoot in Westport, Kentucky last weekend. If any readers out there made it to the event, we would sure appreciate a report. E-mail me some details and I will post it here.

Guy did go to the Wichita Military Collector's Show last weekend, and he brought back some great stuff. He said it was a good mix of dealers and collectors from different parts of the Mid-West, and there was everything under the sun there for sale and trade - from guns to military war souvenirs of all kinds.

In addition to items for sell and trade, there were also several displays including: military rifles, German WWII insignia, British Uniforms & even a military 1942 Ford Jeep all equipped and ready for battle.

Despite the weather, he said there was still a lot of walk in traffic Saturday. Some people brought cigar boxes, and some trash bags, but both were full of treasures to sell.

Guy is no spring chicken when it comes to collecting, and he said that historical Military souvenir collecting appears to be just as strong today as it was 30 years ago. He noticed that there seems to be some young collectors starting to get interested in the hobby, and admitted he still enjoys listening to all the Good Ol' Days stories from the guys that have have been wheeling and dealing for years. Times have definitely changed for them...

While set up at the show, he picked up consignment from several people with some interesting US uniforms, helmets, visor caps, etc. Guy said it was great to see some of our customers and hopes to see you at our next show...remember to bring in your consignment!

The next show is this weekend, April 21 and 22 - The Military Relic and Weapon Collectors Show in the Progress Center Building on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in Minneapolis. Bring your consignment to the show, or give us a call to arrange a pick-up.

Se you there!

We're back online!

Sorry about that - hopefully the problem is resolved for good. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Weather related technical difficulties - WEBSITE DOWN

Manion's customers,

We apologize, but our website is down due to weather related issues. We have had a lot of rain, and apparently it is effecting our website...again.

If there is anyone who is more upset about it than you, it is us.

We are quite disappointed in the companies with which we have placed our trust to provide us with reliable telecommunications service.

We appreciate your patience as we take measures to get this problem resolved permanently.

Police Badge Live Auction Confusion

Hello again folks.

This post if mainly for our friends across the pond in Europe. We have received quite a few e-mails and phone calls, and there seems to be a bit of misinformation surrounding the upcoming police badge auction at the West Coast Historical Militaria Show in Pomona, California May 4th and 5th.

There are rumors flying that frames of badges are being pulled from the inventory, but this is NOT TRUE. The city of Beverly Hills is attempting to take possession of a frame of badges from their PD, but this is not even a for sure thing. The legality of their attempt has yet to be determined...

We're wondering if this rumor was started to persuade certain parties against attending the event? Don't worry, we have been advised that all of the badges will be there - with the potential exception mentioned above.

It's going to be a great event. Don't let the rumor mill keep you from attending!

Also, it looks like we won't be attending the Knob Creek Machine Gun Shoot. We regret the decision, but extenuating circumstances made the logistics improbable. We're planning on making it to the October event with Raven Military Surplus.

Great new items!

We have some great new items on www.manions.com.

There is a named WWI Purple Heart that has received several bids, a nice item for sure - named to a Minnesota man and appears to include a bit of history. It's item number 58766804.

Also, check out item number 5873843. It's a custom made pinks and greens type child's uniform with photos and documentation. It was consigned to the auction by its original owner whose father served in the Air Corps in WWII. The photos feature the little girl wearing the uniform. It's a very unique lot for sure and comes with several other interesting items.

There is also a fairly complete named Luftwaffe uniform that is attracting a lot of attention, item number 5870972. It includes tunic with insignia, cap with insignia, boots and riding type breeches. this baby is right out of the woodwork and is museum quality for sure. It has quite a few bids already, and ends on April 29th.

One thing I have been interested in is Vietnam War photos, and there's a neat lot on the auction right now. Item number 5875026. These groups provide a rare opportunity to look at the war through a soldier's eyes. It's interesting to imagine what the guy who took the snap shot was thinking - why he thought the moment in time needed to be saved. They all have that 1960s/70s worn color to them as well. This collection includes several snapshots as well as other items, some related - some not.

Item number 5875377 is a neat Japanese WWII field gear lot: ammo pouches, water bottle, and bread bag. The items all appear to be in nice shape as well. The group went on for $60 and is now about $100 more than that. A very cool group here, museum quality as well.

There are a lot of other items attracting interest as well. Just click on "Hot Items" on the front page to see more.

Busy weekend coming up!

Hello again collectors!

Next weekend - 4/14 and 4/15 is a busy one for Manion's. We'll be attending two shows - The Wichita Military Collector's Club Gun and Militaria Show at the Cessna Activity Center in Wichita, Kansas, and the Knob Creek Machine Gun Shoot in Westport, Kentucky.

Don't have any video for the Wichita event, but our buddy R. Lee Ermey did an episode of Mail Call on a previous Machine Gun Shoot - it's posted below, check it out!

If you're going to be at either one of the events, stop by and say hello. Not sure if we'll be accepting consignment at the Machine Gun Shoot yet, we're teaming up with Raven Military Surplus in Independence, Missouri and not sure how much room we're going to have but we will let you know!

Guy is definitely bringing stuff back from Wichita, so pack it up and bring it on down to the Cessna Activity Center. If you can't make it to the show, but live in the area and have collectibles you'd like to consign, give us a call and we'll arrange a pick-up.

NASA Collection and closing items

Hello again military collectors and readers of Manion's International Auction House collecting news!

It was great to see Bob Chatt, owner of Vintage Productions in Huntington Beach, California and host of the annual West Coast Historical Militaria Show in Pomona, California. This year it will be held May 4th - 5th, and Manion's is working with Vintage Productions to provide a free trip! Click here for more info.

Bob was in KC for an ASMIC meeting and stopped by to say hello. So, KC collectors, if you're wondering why there's nothing left at the area antique malls - that's the reason!

Many of you have heard, we have removed the basic listing fees from our List it Yourself auction, thank you very much to our frineds at Auction Bytes for helping us get the word out there. There's also a review of the SOS on their front page.

Manion's List it Yourself militaria and collectibes auction is growing and growing. It's basically in its infancy right now, but n ext thing you know it won't even need us any more. They grow up so fast...

A massive NASA collection has been listed on www.manions.com, the biggest one we've ever seen lots of great stuff here. It's item # 5875524 and is listed in our US section under L53 - Estate and Personal Collections. In addition to astronaut personality items, there is a large quantitiy of NASA Engineer documentation, as well as quite a bit of WWII Air Corps documents as well. We think the price is quite fair, guess we'll see what happens...

Also, on April 8th we have an Adolf Hitler funeral sash closing. It was originally priced at $3000, but the consignor has agreed to reduce the price to $2500. These are very, very rare - this is only the second or third we've ever seen at Manion's. It is item # 5871406 and is listed in the German section G42, Personality Related Items.

Also, there is a size 44 USAAF A4 flight suit available, with insignia, for a very reasonable price. It closes April 11th and is item # 5875022 and listed in US section K26 - Flight Clothing and Footwear. Quite a piece, it will be interesting to see the final bid amount.

I'll do a review of the news next week and post some more links next week. I think I'll take that down to a weekly or bi-weekly thing as it makes a lot of other posts get buried in this blog format.

Thanks for reading, and happy collecting!