Mountains of militaria!

Hello again militaria enthusiasts.

Things are rolling right along here at Manion's International Auction House. Like I mentioned in the previous post, consignment has been coming in like mad and we're working like crazy to keep up.

A word to those with items to consign: GET YOUR CONSIGNMENT IN NOW.

It doesn't look like the stuff is going to stop coming in any time soon, and you want to get the tag in process initiated ASAP. We're acquiring some rather large and advanced collections very soon including inventory from another classic Hollywood costume company and a couple of private museums. It's looking like there will be thousands of items coming in over the next month or so!

Of course, anytime you send in items we will diligently work to get them in. In fact, we have so much inventory coming in we may have to devise a system where we work in newly received consignment at the same time we are processing these extensive collections. It is a very exciting time for Manion's International Auction House.

In addition, we are in the process of acquiring possibly the most interesting item we have ever offered on our auction. I can't give many details now, but rest assured as soon as we get some of the details taken care of, you will find out about it first on Manion's Collecting News.

Another thing I wanted to make sure to mention, this blog was the original brain child of CR Keller. Somehow, when I took over the administration of this blog the publishing data on many of his entries changed to my name. This just came to my attention recently, and thought I would bring it up. It was not my intention to claim his work.

Anyway, many of his early entries were resurrected article written for Manion's Trendline publication in the past. A heck of an idea that I have continued on the Article Archive page. If there are any of those articles no longer found on this site, chances are they have been transfered over.

Before I sign off, I wanted to also mention that Guy will be on the road very soon picking up consignment in Jacksonville, Florida and Savannah, Georgia. If you live in the area, and have items you'd like to consign, give us a call (866.626.4661) to arrange a pick-up.

Also, please note our July 4th special $1 reserve auction. We've posted thousands of items with a reserve bid of $1 and they will all be closing at 8:30 pm on July 4, 2007. To see what's up for bid, visit the website and click the related banner in the center of the page.

That is all.

Over.

Militaria, militaria, militaria!

Boy oh boy, the consignment is rolling in. The shelves are full, the describers are typing away, and the girls in shipping are packing oodles of orders each and every day.

As many of you have noticed, we have another of Eva Braun's dresses available for bid - as well as one of her purses. It's all documented folks - 100% original. Somehow I doubt she and Hitler would have ever imagined these items would one day be for sale at auction in Kansas City. It's almost mind boggling to think of all the military collectibles that have been bought and sold through Manion's International Auction House over the years.

Just last week I was looking at a pile of items sent to the auction as original that were, without a doubt, reproduction. I should have taken a picture (and I will next time) and posted it. It will certainly give you an idea of the quantity of collectibles we come in contact with here at Manion's. We reject hundreds of items every month, and wince when one gets by and makes it on the auction. Yes, we read the collecting forums, too, and we do appreciate it when a post is made that points out a mistake.

Of course, giving us a call or sending an e-mail about the item is more effective. We will always pull the item and have one of the guys go over it another time. You all know what reproductions have done to this hobby, and everyone who collects has made a mistake...and learned from it.

Also, if you have questions about an item - by all means let us know! We'll pull it from inventory and give you more details over the phone. We will be happy to take specific additional pictures and e-mail or post them for you as well. We want you to be 100% satisfied!

The auctions have been going very well for the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) items - there are literally thousands of these pieces, so we don't expect the bidding to come to an end any time soon.

Well, thanks for reading Manion's Collecting News - and be sure to check back often for updates as more will be made in the very near future.

Readers often get privileged information about upcoming Manion's auctions that others miss. Say, for instance, if there were to be more Eva Braun personal items available in the future there may be mention of it here first...

Stay tuned.

Robert Edison Fulton Jr.

Greetings buyers and sellers of military items!

I apologize, but the video for the Battlefield store is taking longer than I anticipated. I will put the code in the original post ASAP.

I wanted to take a second and talk about a visionary American inventor, Robert Fulton Jr. We have one of his inventions currently up for bid on www.manions.com - a Fulton Skyhook grouping. It comes with a DVD-R - The One Man Caravan of Robert Fulton Jr. It's an amazing documentary of the man's life. It's named after his book One Man Caravan, documenting a motorcycle trip he made in the 1930s.

Anyway, after painstaking research, and many attempts, I have developed my Internet ability to the point where I was able to rip the DVD and reformat it to be accessed on Google video and viewed by anyone. I've pasted the code below, it is about an hour and a half long, but is well worth the watch - pay particular attention to the sections highlighting the development of the Skyhook.

FYI - the Skyhook grouping on the auction has been reduced in price from $1500 to $1200 - and not only includes the suit, but card and certificate as well. Go to www.manions.com and search "Skyhook" - it closes on June 17. I'd buy it myself if I didn't fear death by my wife's hand.

Here's the video - I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Manion's Auction Military Collectibles

Greetings militaria collectors and readers of Manion’s Collecting News!

It’s been a busy week on the road for Manion’s auction. Guy went to Chicago over Memorial Day weekend and set up some future shipments of consignment, and John and myself went to Minneapolis/St. Paul.

We brought back some nice stuff from our friends at Highway 65 Antique Mall. Keep checking the auction for some WWI and WWII German Headgear and other items as well.

We also went to visit Mark at General J’s Military Surplus. This place is packed to the brim with all kinds of militaria. Chemical Suits, Gas Masks, Bunny Boots, Goretex parkas, uniforms, and on and on.

Have you entertained the thought of opening your own surplus store? If so, swing by and talk to Mark. He’s trying to liquidate as much inventory as possible. You could easily get enough inventory from him to get yourself set up.

Have you ever heard of the town of Guthrie, North Dakota? Neither had I, but Mark is trying to sell it as well. That’s right, an entire town for sale. Could be a heck of an opportunity for someone…

Give him a call at 612.871.0661 or stop by 1510 Nicollet Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55403.

We also swung by and visited our friend Bob at the Battlefield Store in Minneapolis. Bob puts on the Minnesota Military Collectors Show twice a year at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds.
He has a great shop up there with literally TONS of books, uniforms, and other historic military collectibles. If you are in the area, you must stop by! Here’s a bit of video we shot while we were there: