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Last year I wrote a review, of sorts, for the Collector's Corner regarding the world's largest militaria collector event - The Show of Shows (known to military collectors as simply the SOS), held each year in Louisville, Kentucky. Since I received quite a bit of interest from the 2007 article, I thought it would be appropriate to submit a round-up for the 2008 event held February 21 - 24.
The SOS is by far the creme de le creme of events for the militaria enthusiast. There were nearly 2000 tables this year (http://www.sosovms.com/show_of_shows.htm).
When a militaria enthusiast walks through the door of the Show of Shows, it is overwhelming. Table after table is lined up for what seems like miles. The smell of musty wool and mothballs (an acquired affinity, for sure) assaults the olfactory senses to the point where it is hardly noticed after the initial inhalation. And cases crammed with collectibles warrant more than a passing glance. But, the rest of the show beckons.
"I'll come back and take a closer look at this table later," collectors say to themselves within moments of walking in the door. This internal dialogue will most certainly be repeated numerous times. Many collectors carry a notebook as they walk the aisles, frantically scribbling notes, only to return to find the item they wished to inspect has been sold, or their notes were too cryptic to decipher.
The event is essentially open for four days. However, the first day is open only to those who are members of the OVMS (Ohio Valley Military Society, the entity that sponsors the event), and the last day provides only a few hours of hunting time. Essentially this leaves two full days to find treasures. A dedicated individual could walk the entire show in these two days, but chances are they would never be able to see every little detail - especially with some dealers constantly putting out new inventory throughout the event.
I had hoped to be able to provide more insight into the actual militaria market in this overview, but attending the event as an employee of an online auction company is definitely a double-edged sword. (I attended the event once again in an official capacity with Manion's International Auction House, which has been brokering the sale of historic collectibles, with a heavy emphasis on militaria, since 1970.) I was able to do a bit of hunting on my own, but being the largest event of the year, I was so busy taking in consignment from dealers, there was precious little time.
Fortunately John Adams-Graf, editor of Military Trader Magazine, provided some insight in a recent edition of the e-newsletter Militar-E-News (to subscribe visit http://www.militarytrader.com). According to Adams-Graf, Japanese WWII helmets have dramatically risen in price since the last SOS, and he speculated as to the potential of artificial inflation by dealers hoping to take advantage of the strong Euro and other foreign currencies.
The result, he suggests, was the increase in purchases of more affordable militaria items, such as: US Navy rates, common US WWII Division insignia, US WWII field gear, and photographs. Adams-Graf said the economy simply does not effect collectors, who, when certain items become more expensive, simply adapt their hobby to find something more affordable.
However, there is no argument that strong foreign currency has had an impact on the collectibles market in the US. Foreign bidding has risen considerably on items listed on Manion's traditional consignment auction, as well as on the newer List it Yourself online auction option. Likewise, consignments are certainly on the rise, as are List it Yourself items sellers have placed up for bid.
Anyone with even the slightest interest in history or militaria will thoroughly enjoy a visit to the SOS. If a trip to Louisville (recently ranked one of the top 5 underrated cities in America by Yahoo Travel) is out of the question, be sure to check your local community calendars for smaller events in your area, and begin an enjoying adventure into collecting history and investing for the future.
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