Bid from your phone: m.manions.com

Customers can now browse and bid while on the go using “Manion’s Mobile” - the new phone friendly version of the well known online auction website from Manion’s International Auction House, Inc. – a worldwide leader in the sale of militaria and historic collectibles.

“There’s a whole new market of not necessarily younger, but definitely more tech savvy collectors out there these days,” said company President Jody Tucker. “We weren’t sure if our customers would utilize a mobile option for bidding, but we’re getting great response.”

What began as a catalog auction, specializing in historic collectibles with a heavy emphasis on militaria and firearms, held several times a year has grown to online auctions closing 365 days a year on the auction website www.manions.com – and now m.manions.com as well.

“WWII collectibles - uniforms, headgear, medals, badges, edged weapons, firearms, etc. – are a huge part of our business,” said Tucker. “It’s ironic to consider someone buying, say, a WWII helmet or dagger, from a cell phone while stuck in traffic. Think of how technology has advanced in such a relatively short period of time . . . it’s kind of mind boggling.”

To access Manion’s Mobile Website simply enter the address - m.manions.com – into a mobile browser, or visit www.manions.com and click the “Manion’s Mobile” link at the top of the page; no downloads are required. For more information about Manion’s International Auction House, Inc. and the services they provide visit www.manions.com or call 866.626.4661.

ASMIC 2010 - Sept. 10-11

Visit this top-notch annual event featuring 330+ tables brimming with superior historical militaria antiques and collectibles. Thousands of items for sale by dealers and collectors who attend from across the country! Get a chance to hold a piece of history in your hands, talk to interesting dealers who are knowledgeable in this field, and add to (or start up!) your unique collection! Whether you are a collector of military insignia, or a student of heraldry or military history, whether an expert or a novice, we are certain you will find the 2010 Annual Militaria Show, Presented by ASMIC of great interest – please join us!

Dates/Times: September 10-11, 2010

Friday, September 10^th 12Noon to 5pm

Saturday, September 11^th 8:30am to 5pm

Location: Drawbridge Inn – “London Hall” located at 2477 Royal Dr

Ft. Mitchell, Kentucky. Located on 1-71/75 just 5 miles South of downtown Cincinnati and 8 miles North of the greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Intl Airport.

Admission: Adults $6, Kids under 12 are free! Ample free parking in several hotel lots.

Sell/Trade Tables: Table registration is limited to ASMIC members

Regular: $55, Wall $65. All tables are 6 ft.

Hotel: Call 800-354-9793 Request Special ASMIC Rate

Additional Info: Jim McDuff: 913-631-3942 / jmcduff@swbell.net

The American Society of Military Insignia Collectors (ASMIC) is the oldest and largest organization of collectors of military insignia in the world. Founded in 1937 by a small group of enthusiasts and chartered as a non-profit organization, today the Society is 'home' to nearly 3,000 dedicated collectors in the United States and two dozen foreign countries. Whether you are a collector of military insignia or a student of heraldry or military history, whether an expert or a novice, you will find that membership in ASMIC has many advantages.

ASMIC publishes a quarterly journal entitled The Trading Post and a Newsletter. The Trading Post contains a wealth of information on all aspects of U. S. and foreign military insignia. It includes articles from members, illustrations of old and new emblems as well as an occasional color section depicting American or foreign insignia. Unidentified Insignia are covered in a separate column in The Trading Post

The Newsletter brings word of insignia and dress items for trade or sale via classified and display ads. Society members rely on the Newsletter to advertise for insignia they wish to include in their collections and for announcements of regional and national insignia and militaria shows.

The ASMIC Reference Library contains almost 1000 items available for loan to members. These publications range from back issues of The Trading Post to major reference works published by our members and other militaria experts. The Library also includes many journals from other militaria societies for use by our members

Over the years, ASMIC has produced more than 20,000 black and white line drawings of military insignia, along with detailed descriptions of the insignia and known variations. Most of these drawings are available in our Distinctive Insignia or Cloth Patch catalogs, available to the general public and, at a discounted price, to ASMIC members.

Why join? ASMIC provides three forums to enhance your enjoyment of insignia collecting: a quarterly journal, The Trading Post, whose articles provide valuable information; a Newsletter, in which members advertise items for sale or trade or their wants; an annual convention which, arguably, is the largest show in the country devoted just to insignia and related items. Additionally, you will have access to a membership whose expertise you can tap.

Membership is an investment. As the values of insignia have risen, so, too, has the proliferation of reproductions and fakes. One can surf online auction sites on any given day and find collectors who are making foolish decisions because of a lack knowledge and expertise. Membership in ASMIC provides avenues to the knowledge and expertise that can save you embarrassment and money. Recently offered for sale on a major online auction site were two examples of an OSS patch that was discussed in detail in The Trading Post, where compelling evidence was presented that it is not genuine. The two patches sold on a major online auction site for a combined price of over $900. Avoiding just one ill-advised purchase can more than pay for your membership.

Membership in the American Society of Military Insignia Collectors runs from July 1 to June 30 each year. Those who join the Society at any time during the course of the Membership Year will receive the Society's current Membership List and copies of all issues of The Trading Post, the Society's quarterly journal, and Newsletter issued during that Membership Year.

Library wants all to remember ‘Forgotten War’

The Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst library currently has special displays set up in honor of the 60th Anniversary of the Korean War.

In addition to the displays, the library also recently hosted a summer remembrance event featuring special guests who explained their views and knowledge of Korean War. Some of the knowledge shared was obtained through interviews with servicemembers who served and some by their actual participation in the Korean conflict.

Tony Sobieski, a 87th Air Base Wing civilian employee and Air Force Reservist, presented information on the Battle for White Horse Mountain, otherwise known as Hill 395, as told to him in an interview with 2nd Lt. Paul Braner, a forward observer with the 213th Field Artillery Battalion, who was present during the battle. The battle for White Horse Mountain, fought mainly by Republic of Korea Army and the Chinese Communist Forces, lasted ten grueling days with the crest of the hill changing hands no less than ten times during Oct. 1952.

"We have a duty to remember those that went before us," said Sobieski. "How will we, those of us from today's conflicts, be looked at and remembered sixty years from now?"

Sobieski has also written two books titled "Fire Mission" and "Fire For Effect", which are about his father, Henry Sobieski, who served in Korea as an artillery forward observer with the 213th Field Artillery Battalion, XI Corps in 1953. He was present to witness the cease-fire of the Korean War 57 years ago.

"The Korean War had an end point at 10 p.m., July 27, 1953," said Sobieski. "My father Henry witnessed it as fireworks on the Fourth of July as both sides were shooting as many rounds as possible so they wouldn't have to tow it back. Many were killed and wounded in those last hours of the war."

Paintings depicting the Korean War currently on display at the library were provided courtesy of artist Francis McGinley. McGinley has won several awards since 1975 for his artwork. He also served in the Army from 1950 to 1952 and rose to the rank of corporal while serving with the 303rd Signal Battalion, though his art does not simply depict his own experiences.

"My paintings are based on what others have described to me, and are stories through the eyes of an artist," McGinley said. "It is not a war painting, it is a story of someone's life. Someone lived this."

Three local Korean War veterans - Elton Jordan, Russell Street and Robert Yancey - also visited the library to share their experiences.

Jordan and Street are recipients of the Purple Heart for injuries sustained under combat while serving in Korea.

Jordan served in the Army and participated in the Berlin Airlift in 1948 and the occupation of Okinawa in 1949 before being assigned to Kimpo Airfield, South Korea.

"The worst part of the war was the refugees affected by the war," said Jordan.

Enlisting in the Army in 1948, Street underwent 16 weeks of basic training at Fort Dix before deploying overseas.

"We spent six-months picking up Japanese prisoners of war in China, Vietnam and Cambodia before shipping out to Korea," Street added.

Street and his battalion of 1,200 Soldiers arrived in Korea during the monsoon season of 1950.

"There were 157 men remaining when we were finally pulled off the line and returned to Fort Dix," said Street. "I was the only survivor from my company."

Over the years, Street has been considered a hero by members of the local community. It's a title he disputes.

"I'm not a hero; the guys who are heroes are all in the ground," added Street.

Retiring in 1971 from the military, Robert Yancey also is no stranger to combat conditions.

Yancey's military career began in the Navy in 1943, where he served for seven years, seeing action in Leyte, Luzon and Okinawa. In 1950, Yancey joined the Army and was assigned to the 24th Infantry Regiment in Korea.

"I was a platoon sergeant assigned to a 'pack-train' that used Korean laborers to bring supplies to the frontline at the Pusan perimeter and was on the line for 129 days," said Yancey.

With the United Nations forces' daring landing at Incheon Sept. 15, North Korean forces were driven back by the 8th Army and X Corp almost to the Yalu River.

On Nov. 26, Communist China Army forces launched a successful counter-attack and entered the war in support of the North Korean Army.

"My unit, Charlie Company, lost 75 percent - either killed or captured - when the Chinese came across the border," said Yancey.

However, Yancey also explained that combat wasn't the only cause of death for soldiers serving in Korea.

"It was cold, said Yancey. "You couldn't fire accurately because your fingers were so cold, and if you didn't put some insulation on the ground before you slept, some people just didn't wake up."

"Our ultimate objective was to stay alive," he added

Yancey left Korea with frostbite and wasn't able to stay in the infantry. He later transferred to Fort Sam Houston for medical training and, as a senior noncommissioned officer, stayed there two years before shipping out to Vietnam."

Yancey retired from the Army in 1971, a veteran of three wars.

Often referred to as the "Forgotten War" due to its being overshadowed by World War II and the Vietnam War, the Korean War was one of the first episodes of the Cold War involving some of the greatest personalities of the era: Truman, MacArthur, Mao and Stalin.
Truce talks began in July 1951, but the fighting continued until July 27, 1953, when the negotiations at last bore fruit and the conflict ended in a cease-fire agreement.
Nearly 37,000 American servicemen lost their lives in three years, the majority of losses concentrated in the first year.

Hiroshima Related WWII Collectibles

'Opening Pandora's box' - remembering Hiroshima, 65 years later

We look at how collectibles play a part in remembering one of the worst episodes of World War II

The past fortnight has seen a number of anniversaries surrounding one of the most controversial episodes in human history: the development and use of the atomic bomb.

Most recently, the dates August 6 and 9 marked the consequences of these developments: the United States' dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.

And a week prior to these dates, August 2, was also the day that Albert Einstein signed a letter to US President Franklin D Roosevelt urging the beginning of atomic weapons research in 1939.

On this letter, Einstein would later comment: "Because of the danger that Hitler might be the first to have the bomb, I signed a letter to the President..."

"Had I known that the fear was not justified, I would not have participated in opening this Pandora's box... For my distrust of governments was not limited to Germany."

Of course, Einstein's involvement in atomic weapons remains the most complex and contentious chapter in the great man's legacy - and this is reflected in his own writings.

Among these documents, an example written by Einstein in 1952 to the scientist and author, Kenneth Heuer, reads:

"About the technical development in the field of atomic energy: I was not interested in that matter for years but rather disgusted by the course it has taken in the hands of short-sighted politicians... To me it is enough to know that the continuation of the existence of human beings is in serious doubt if no supra-national solution can be achieved." - Albert Einstein

Today, any such written reflections are naturally among Einstein's most collectible documents as the onus also falls on collectors to preserve even the darker annals of history.

Considering the singular and frank revelations contained within the letter, it's surprising that it sold for just $11,950 when auctioned at Heritage on June 22.

However, it is likely to prove a wise investment for its buyer, as future historians, institutions and buyers take an interest in its contents.

This nuclear bomb Ball Race, 160mm in diameter, from the top secret WW2 Manhattan Project, appeared on the collectors' market priced $15,000

In fact, Einstein autographs are among the most solid investments on the market. For evidence, you need only look at the past price histories, listed on indexes like the industry's PFC40.

According to the index, the price of a single Einstein autograph has appreciated by 242.9% over 10 years. In other words, an autograph bought for £1,750 back in 2000 could today be worth £6,000 - and perhaps even more if scribed on a historically important letter.

While such letters reflect the ideas behind the actions, World War Two was a "Total War", born of industrialisation.

And, as with any industrial system, the plans discussed by intellectuals and politicians would eventually fall into the hands of the men charged with carrying them out.

In this case, the mission fell to two crews of two so-called "Superfortress bombers": the Enola Gay and the Bockscar.

While previous WW2 bombings like London, Berlin and Dresden had been charged to thousands of planes, the Japan bombings would be carried out by these two bombers alone.

And, as with the Einstein letters, the missions of the Enola Gay and Bockscar on August 6 and 9 are also preserved. For instance, the Bockscar plan itself is on permanent display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force, Dayton, Ohio.

The onus often falls to collectors to also preserve the darker
episodes of human history: this signed photograph of the
'Superfortress' Enola Gay is currently on the market
(You can find out more here)

Elsewhere, a 160mm diameter Ball race from the construction of the 'Little Boy' bomb - originally saved as a souvenir by the scientists behind the bomb to commemorate its success - emerged on the private collectors' markets, last year, priced £15,000.

Also on the market is a black and white photograph of the Enola Gay, bearing an autograph and inscription by two of its crew: "Robert Lewis Co-Pilot 'Enola Gay' Tinian Runway Aug 6 1945" and "Thomas W. Ferebee - Bombardier - Enola - Gay - Aug 6 1945."

While these memorabilia items carry memories of one of the most horrific episodes in human history, they are essential reminders of one of the darker episodes of World War II - the likes of which will hopefully never be seen again.

Article From Paul Fraser Collectibles

Sound Familiar?

Financial advisers sculpt rare opportunities from clients' collectibles

Art succession planning proves to be a lucrative niche for a small group

Your wealthy 85-year-old client has spent his life assembling a multimillion-dollar collection of rare objets d'art. He's also got a wine cellar full of Chateau Mouton Rothschild and a set of rare pool cues.

Art succession planning is the name of this new, relatively obscure niche, and some financial advisers are turning to it in an effort to differentiate themselves from rivals. Unlike traditional estate planning, art succession planning is more about preserving a collector's legacy than it is about minimizing estate taxes.

In other words, it's about planning for what happens to a collection of art, antiques or other items after its owner has died. It's about maintaining accurate records of everything in the collection and making sure its integrity is preserved in the face of squabbling relatives or Uncle Sam.

“By planning for the art, family members don't have to sell it when a relative dies,” said Travis Freeman, an adviser with Four Seasons Wealth Management in Creve Coeur, Mo., which manages about $300 million in assets. “They can hang on to this collection that their family members cared a lot about.”

Good succession planners act as go-betweens for collectors and their heirs, and lawyers, appraisers and insurance brokers.

They are also responsible for employing sometimes very complicated estate-planning strategies to assure that a collector's lifetime of work is preserved and distributed to heirs in a way that is tax-efficient. For example, one strategy involves setting up a private operating foundation run by the collector's heirs. That allows the heirs to reap certain tax benefits while the collection is loaned out.

Advisers who are successful at art succession planning insist that it's a great way to attract wealthy clients and boost their firm's profits.

“Many people who collect things are wealthy,” said Randy Fox, principal of InKnowVision LLC, a consulting firm for advisers that last year helped form the Art Succession Advisory Council, which has 17 adviser members. “This is a real differentiator for advisers with their practices. These advisers are having conversations with their clients that no one else is having.”

Indeed, only about 10% of advisers take their clients' collectibles into consideration when developing financial plans, according to the council.

As a result, collections sold at auctions to turn the assets into cash for distribution to heirs often sell for as much as 75% less than if the collection had been overseen by an art succession planner, according to data collected by the group.

In fact, many passionate collectors bridle at the notion of having their collection auctioned off in parcels after their death. As a collector of abstract art, adviser Andrew Barnett got into art succession planning two years ago as a way to preserve his own legacy.

Today, about 10% of his clients at GFA Wealth Design of Sarasota, Fla., which oversees about $1 billion in assets, require some form of art succession planner.

“This takes a fairly significant amount of our time. It's a lot of work, but it can be a lucrative business,” he said.

For his services, Mr. Barnett charges clients a flat upfront fee ranging from $10,000 to $25,000, which he uses primarily to determine the collection's market value. Then, if the client decides that he or she wants to move forward in developing a succession plan for the collection, he usually charges an additional fee of about $50,000.

Few clients flinch at the price tag for developing a plan, he said.

“It's different when people talk about art,” Mr. Barnett added. “They're emotional about it. They've spent a lifetime collecting various things. They're proud of their collection and passionate about it.”

Even so, art succession planning isn't for every adviser, experts caution. Indeed, many clients collect items that have little or no cash value — leading the adviser to invest a lot of time and energy into a collection that yields little revenue.

“It's whale hunting in some respects,” said Bob Vashko, director of retirement and wealth strategies at Jackson National Life Distributors. “You don't want to jump into this knee-deep. You need a phased strategy to demonstrate the expertise and passion. But it can still take a long time.”

Consider Ralph Adamo, president and chief executive of Integrity Wealth Management of Newport Beach, Calif. He's been trying to market position himself as an art succession planner for several months, with little to show for it.

“People are talking to us about art succession planning, but it's an undertaking to lift that art out and address it with laser focus,” he said.

Chris Jacob of Cadeau Inc. of St. Louis, which manages about $45 million in assets, also got off to a slow start as an art succession planner.

“Anything worthwhile takes time,” he said. “The first year, we were in the process of getting the word disseminated.”

That said, over the past 12 months he has assembled art succession strategies for 10 clients. He's also in the process of assessing the value of the collections of seven more clients. Those collections span everything from pool cues to miniature railroad trains, he said.

Mr. Jacob typically charges about $3,500 to come up with an assessment of the collection's worth and another $50,000 to develop and implement a succession plan.

Even if advisers are not ready to add art succession planning to their list of services, they should get into the habit of asking clients whether they collect anything, said Peggy Hollander, an adviser with The Succession Group in Coral Gables, Fla.

“When I asked a client about collecting, it turned out that he had a $10 million art collection and didn't even consider it as part of his investible assets,” she said. “He just thought it was "stuff.'''

By Lisa Shidler - Investmentnews.com

WWII Items Stolen in the UK

Thieves steal German WWII collection in Kidderminster

A collection of World War II medals and a ceremonial wooden dagger have been stolen from a house in Worcestershire.

The items were taken from a cabinet in Orchard Street, Kidderminster, between 14 July and 27 July while the owner was away on holiday.

War memorabilia, including five German WWII medals, was taken along with a 14in (35cm) dagger inscribed in German.

West Mercia Police have asked anyone to contact them if they have recently been offered the items for sale.

The collection had been in the owner's possession since 1945.

West Mercia Police contact information click here!

WWI Patch Blanket

We've recently received an interesting piece of consignment - a WWI patch blanket containing NUMEROUS 100% original WWI patches collected by a WWI veteran and passed down to his grandson who has chosen Manion's to broker the sale of the unique collection. The insignia has been removed from the blanked and is now up for bid on the site - www.manions.com. To view all items available visit www.manions.com, log in, and click the "Grandpa'sPatches" banner in the center of the page. There are some real rare one's in there - don't miss this excellent opportunity to add to your US WWI patch collection.