The National WWI Museum - Kansas City, Missouri

We are fortunate in Kansas City to enjoy proximity to the nation's WWI Memorial and Museum - known as the Liberty Memorial to those of us who have been familiar our entire lives, and more recently as The National World War One Museum at Liberty Memorial to reflect the fairly recent renovation and reopening of the majestic tower and museum below.

The Liberty Memorial site was dedicated November 1, 1921 and the supreme Allied commanders spoke to a crowd of more than 100,000 people. It was the only time in history these leaders were together in one place. In attendance were Lieutenant General Baron Jacques of Belgium; General Armando Diaz of Italy; Marshal Ferdinand Foch of France; General John J. Pershing of the United States; and Admiral David Beatty of Great Britain.

Overlooking downtown Kansas City, the landmark has long been recognized by travelers to the area. At night, the perpetual flame (steam, actually) which burns at the top of the 217 ft. tall memorial tower provides a dramatic effect. Chances are that each and every person living in the Kansas City metro area has paid somehow for the renovation of the museum and tower and are remiss if they have not paid a recent visit.

For those truly interested in WWI history, there is no other pilgrimage worth making more than a trip to the museum. You will be absolutely blown away - it is truly a world class facility (even if it may be unappreciated by Kansas Citians). I advise visiting the museum in two consecutive days - spend the first looking at the exhibits, and the second taking advantage of the interactive tables spread throughout the facility.

I had intended on also providing information about the history of the memorial, but the museum website does a much better job - click here to learn more about the History of the World War One Museum at Liberty Memorial in Kansas City. I've taken the "liberty" of compiling some different images to provide a better understanding of what to expect. Again, it is an amazing museum experience - one of the best in the world . . . and when you do pay a visit, tell them Manion's sent you (seriously, do).













1921 Dedication Ceremony (note Kansas City's Union Station in the background).














1926 dedication of the Liberty Memorial Tower in Kansas City, Missouri.















A more modern day view of the facility from the air, looking north to Downtown Kansas City.











Inside the main entrance to the museum. A glass bridge is suspended over a simulated field of poppies provides a striking effect.















A massive installation in the facility featuring aircraft, equipment, doughboys marching over the battlefied, and many more artifacts, combined with an amazing audio visual presentation.












Renault FT17 tank, now on display and part of the museum's permanent collection.




















Walk of Honor on the South side of the memorial. Hundreds of engraved bricks are present in tribute to those who served.













One of the many galleries in the museum utilizing gigantic resized images in tandem with original artifacts. It just has to be seen in person to be fully appreciated.















An excellent depiction of the striking effect of the perpetual flame at the top of the Liberty Memorial Tower.














An overhead shot of doughboys solemnly trudging across the battlefield.















Trench warfare is represented many times throughout the museum experience. Many of the exhibits are interactive.










The museum boasts an unprecedented collection of WWI artillery from many different countries as well as many other firearms, edged weapons and other instruments of warfare.

To the SHOW of SHOWS - Feb. 18-21 2010

Hands down, the best militaria show on the planet is the Show of Shows, hosted each year by the Ohio Valley Military Society. This year it will again be held in Louisville, Kentucky at the Kentucky Exposition Center. This militaria collecting extravaganza has over 1600 tables full of everything that could possibly be of interest to the collector: advanced and novice alike.

While some cry that the prices are too high, there are bargains to be had to those who are willing to put in the time and the leg-power needed to fully take advantage of the show. You don't even need to buy a single thing to bring something away from the event - the educational experience itself is worth many times the price of admission.

Numerous noted Veterans have been onsite in the past as well - including many of the real-life war heroes portrayed on the popular HBO mini-series The Band of Brothers. This year is no exception, the current schedule includes (health and schedule permitting):

• John K. Singlaub, MG, USA Ret., WWII, Korea, Vietnam, autobiography, “Hazardous Duty”

• Charles E. McGee, Colonel, USAF Ret, Pilot, Tuskegee Airman

• John Agnew, Robert Cone, Jake McNiece, and Jack Womer, US Army, WWII, 506 PIR (Filthy 13)

• Don Malarkey, Earl McClung, Buck Compton, and Bradford Freeman, US Army, WWII, 506 PIR (Band of Brothers)

• Robert L. Williams, 506 PIR, 101st ABN DIV, D-Day veteran and author of “Return to Normandy”

• Dean Dudgeon, US Army Ranger, Point Du Hoc, D-Day veteran

• Hans Busch, German WWII Luftwaffe, Pilot Me262.
  

The event affords the perfect opportunity for anyone interested in collecting militaria, or the study of military history, to expand their knowledge base whether it be the chance to compare variations of Third Reich insignia, or to shake the hand of a man who helped win the war and free Europe from tyranny. There ain't no show like the Show of Shows.

We are, of course, accepting consignment at the event. We're set up in the very front of the display hall, to the immediate left of the main entrance. Stop by and say hello!

HUGE Consignment Pick-up - WWII Militaria and Firearms

Jody and Guy recently returned from a consignment run to Texas where they picked up a truck load (literally) of WWII and Vietnam militaria - as well as a ton (again, literally) of firearms. Many of the items are almost through processing and either are now, or soon will be, available on the site.

A portion of the items are of WWII Polish origin, which is always nice to see. Of course we've had these items in the past, but never really this much at once. We love an opportunity to add diversity to our online militaria auction, and this really pushes the envelope in that direction.

In addition, they brought back an impressive collection of Vietnam era militaria - US and S. Vietnamese mainly. Uniforms, equipment, field gear, weaponry, and much more. Very cool seeing all of the stuff laid out in one place.

There are also NUMEROUS firearms in the delivery, militaria and commercial. Many "dummy" machine guns, too. How many other auction houses, miltiaria dealers, or even museums for that matter have the opportunity to process such a massive amount of military collectibles like this? Not many my friends, if any at all - and we do it several times a year! One of the many reasons why Manion's International Auction House is the best place to go to buys and sell military memorabilia from all countries and time periods, other companies wither up and disappear in comparison.

Check out the pictures below, and be sure to visit the site soon to place your bids on our newly received militaria and firearms consignment.

Eastern Front - 2010 - Manion's Auction

Hello again military relic collectors.

Boy is it cold in Kansas City! It's well below zero here and there's more than a foot of snow on the ground and drifting everywhere. Earlier, the UPS truck got stuck and our own fearless jack of all trades, Ron Holmes, got out the tractor and saved the day. I posted a video link to his heroics below - gives you a good idea of what the weather is like up here.

For those of you who have never been here, we're located in a very rural area of Kansas City, on the bluffs over the Missouri river, and somehow it is always colder up here than anywhere else in the city during the winter.

I posted some more snowy pics of our spread below the video. Wow it's cold . . .