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Civil War Collectibles: Types of collectibles
By Guy Phillips | November 2, 2008
Collecting American Civil War memorabilia is a fascinating hobby to take up and one that allows the collector to learn much about one of the most important and sad events in the history of the United States. The Civil War, which lasted from 1861 to 1865, was a turning point for the young nation. It was a time in which the nation was divided, emotions were heated, and whole families were torn apart as a result of the turmoil.
One of the hottest collectibles from the Civil War period is Civil War tokens. These are actual vintage token coins that replaced money for a short time during the war. And the interesting thing about these tokens is that they were privately minted between 1862 and 1864. Most of the tokens have anywhere from 5,000 to less than five remaining in private hands.
Some of the most captivating Civil War collectibles are Civil War soldiers’ letters. These letters are fascinating and sad items that recount the everyday realities of the war. Many, written by men to their wives, often recount of lonely times in campsites with inadequate food and little shelter. The letters are often heart wrenching, conveying the wish of the soldiers to end the war and go home to their families and loved ones.
Yet another fascinating collectible are guns that were used during the Civil War. The weapons of the Civil War played a huge part in determining the course of the war. Weapons in the 19th century were very different from modern weapons, being much more heavy and firing fewer shots per round than modern guns. By collecting Civil War era guns, collectors will have the chance to truly discover what it feels like to hold these old, hardened guns and to imagine what it must have been like in a Civil War battlefield. The pirate flintlock pistol is one weapon that was extremely popular during the war, and the woodent stock and brass finish that distinguishes many of these pistols today gives an idea of the care that was taken with manufacturing these weapons in the mid-18th century.
If you’d like to start your vintage Civil War collection with something other than “paper products,” then try finding teapots and kettles. Or, you can amass products such as artwork, calendars, figurines, games, guns, military souvenirs, such as ammunition, clothing, hats, caps, boots, shoes, tags and the like. Finding a unique idea will lead you in search at some amazing places. Be sure, however, that such hobbies are a lifetime pursuit and should be something you’re really passionate about.
Additionally, reports of battles are also useful to collectors, and provide insight into the way in which battles were viewed at the time. The New York Times, for example, printed a number of articles at the time that discuss battles. There is one article in particular that discusses the Battle of Gettysburg (which took place on the 4th of July, 1863) and that is prized by Civil War collectors. The article is broken down into sections: Incidents of the Battle and List of Killed and Wounded. In flowery language, the journalist describes the bravery of the soldiers and the critical turning points of the battle. The letter is a priceless Civil War collectible!
Civil war documents are an excellent way to begin collecting items from the Civil War. The documents can offer fascinating information about 19th century America, and there are various documents that can be bought by collectors. Letters and newspaper articles are some of the most popular; however, there are other documents that may be bought as well: diaries, old photographs, and memoirs are all available for purchase. Collectors should do their own research and decide what genre of documents interests them most - then, there is nothing left to do but begin collecting!
Topics: Hobbies |
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