September 15th, 2009 — Collectibles, Military
Collecting military helmets is an interesting hobby, and one usually enjoyed by military history or war history buffs. The huge variety of helmets available makes it a colorful hobby and one that’s difficult to get bored with. And the affordability of many antique military helmets makes it a hobby that almost any military aficionado can enjoy.
If you’re interested in military helmets, a common mistake is to purchase whatever helmets you can just because the price is right. Just like a collection theme of cats or some other very common theme, it’s impossible to collect everything related to your interest or hobby. The best way to start is to decide exactly what it is you’re looking for. Then you can search in flea markets, vintage and antique shops, and online auctions like eBay for the pieces you want to find.
You have a variety of choices when it comes to your collection, too. You can choose to collect United States military helmets or just those worn by the German, British or other armies. Modern helmets across different countries offer a great deal of variety as there are helmets for different situations, like attack, riots and others. Or you can choose to collect helmets from a certain era, regardless of the country of origin. Helmets worn during a certain war like WWII for instance can be the theme of your collection, or only helmets worn before a certain year could be your focus. Some helmets were worn purely for dress occasions rather than day to day military activities or combat. These were usually flashier and more striking. Your collection could include only helmets of that type.
There’s almost no limit to the way you can theme your collection of military helmets. It doesn’t even have to have a country or era theme, but can include helmets that are large and flashy, or any type of combat helmet, for instance. Some helmets are going to be much harder to find, and much more expensive than others. A British cavalry dress helmet could cost a thousand dollars, for example, as opposed to a German combat helmet from WWI you might find for less than $200.
For antique helmets that are difficult or impossible to find outside of a museum setting, reproduction military helmets can add great character to your collection. An antique Roman helmet, for instance, like one worn over 2000 years ago, is probably priceless. But you may be able to find a reproduction for a few hundred dollars or less if you look in places like eBay and military shops and swaps online.
Some common military helmets like the British Brodie from WWII, a flat helmet with a lip all the way around, will usually cost less than $100, while other helmets from that era should cost only a little more. To determine if the price is right for a particular helmet, compare online to other sellers and shops that offer similar products. You’ll find that collecting military helmets isn’t just fun, but surprisingly affordable.
Originally posted 2008-12-30 14:00:42. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Related Posts -
Collectible Pez Dispensers 101 There are a number of collectible Pez dispensers out there, including modern collectible Pez dispensers and vintage collectible Pez dispensers alike. Most of the Pez dispensers that were made after the year 1987 have small plastic lips on the bottom of the stem that act as feet, and these were...... -
Surveying Equipment Collectibles -> Science-Medical -> Surveying Equipment While many people collect cat figurines, dolls, books, sports memorabilia and almost anything you can think of, fewer people collect things like surveying equipment, medical instruments, mining tools and things of that nature. But those who do collect them are enthusiastic about their hobby,...... - Antique Tools Collectibles -> Tools, Hardware and Locks -> Tools The market for antique tools is growing as many collectors seek a return to when times were simpler. The nostalgia value of old tools is great, but there are many antique tools that are actually quite valuable on their own. Whether you......
-
Finding Collectibles Online Everybody has some kind of special item that has been in the family for as long as anyone can remember. It might be a vase, an antique jar or some other special collectible. As far as we can tell, its been handed down from one generation to the next, and...... -
Precious Moments Collectibles Collectibles -> Decorative Collectibles -> Precious Moments -> Figurines With their distinctive designs and inspirational quips, Precious Moments collectibles are one of the most sought after decorative arts. Originally designed in 1975 by Eugene Freedman, it wasn’t until the mid-1980’s that the company hit full stride. Since then, these cute......
Related Websites - Antique Doors Antiques -> Architectural and Garden -> Doors Antique doors have much to offer the private collector and many of these, depending on the materials used, and the designer may actually be worth quite a lot of money. Whether you are looking for a collectible that you can put to good......
-
Antique Collection Some people falsely believe that the passion for accumulating a variety of antique treasures in an antique collection is an addiction, such as being a pack rat, but this is not actually true. The truth about going antiquing is that while it may be infectious, it is certainly not a...... - Customer Service - Importance of Overdelivering When every competitor of yours has access to everyone in the market like you do. Your only way of winning the battle is to overdeliver, again and again....
-
Stamp Collection Stamp Collection -> Worldwide -> Collections, Lots Building up a stamp collection is a hobby for thousands of people and it is one of the oldest forms of collectibles. For those that are just getting started with their stamp collection, there are a few things to remember to make sure...... - Antique Books Antiques -> Books and Manuscripts -> American If you are interested in finding a collectible that has a true story to tell, antique books are the ideal choice. These offer the ability to collect something that has value, not only in the actual worth of the item, but in the......
Online Stores Online Stores
September 10th, 2009 — Collectibles, Decorative Collectibles, Tapestries
A wall tapestry can be a beautiful addition to your home, whether it’s a reproduction or an antique piece. A tapestry is much more than a woven cloth that covers the wall, it’s often a piece of history that tells a story, and speaks about the period in which it was created. The weaving used to make tapestries was considered one of the major art forms in ancient times, and while many new, modern tapestries are done with machines and focus more on the design than the craftsmanship, you can still find reproductions that are done painstakingly by hand in much the same way original tapestries were created.
Entire stories were told in wall tapestry in times past. Homer’s works were represented in tapestry form, as were other important books, stories from the Bible, and major historical events. Castles and compounds often displayed tapestries, as the aristocracy often owned hundreds of them. Tapestries were status symbols, speaking of wealth and affluence, and their impressive size made them perfect for covered stone castle walls and hallways.
The subject of wall tapestry changed with the times, moving from telling stories of battles and religion to more romantic subjects around the year 1200, during the Gothic period. This revived wall tapestry as an art form after a period of very little creation aside from painting and some needlework. Romantic stories were depicted in each tapestry, with each piece telling a full story. During the Renaissance, the subjects of wall tapestries changed again along with the paintings of the era, to symbolism and imagery. There was less focus on the need to tell a story, but instead they were designed to make an impression.
Most of the best tapestries were produced in Paris from the Middle Ages onward. But during the Hundred Years War, many were destroyed, either from the simple destruction of the violent time, or because many were made with thread that contained precious metals like silver and gold, so the tapestries were burned to retrieve the valuable metals within them. A wall tapestry you might find today would most likely only date back to the Renaissance. Most of these valuable pieces of art are owned by the wealthy, or they’re house in museums. It’s unlikely that the common collector could afford such a piece.
Fortunately, a wall tapestry reproduction is still an amazing piece of art, so much so that they’re quite expensive also, though only a fraction of what a real antique wall tapestry would cost. The only ones worth considering are the ones that are handmade and are true to the original. While you can buy “tapestries” today that are relatively cheap, they’re turned out quickly and lose much of the charm of the original. A true reproduction wall tapestry contains such craftsmanship, it can take up to 4 years to complete. When you find a wall tapestry online ask to see a picture of the back—the design on the back will show you whether it’s truly a handmade piece.
Originally posted 2008-11-14 05:18:33. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Related Posts -
Vintage Car Collectibles Ever since the beginning of the automotive industry, there have been miniature toy style versions of many popular cars, and these have been popular not only among children but also collectors as well. Vintage car collectibles are toys that make excellent collectibles because they are small and easily capable of...... -
Beginning the Art of Collecting Wine The purpose of this article is simply to provide you with some tips for the art of collecting wine. If you are thinking about beginning your own wine cellar or simply putting together a hobby of collecting wine, then the following tips should prove useful to you. Keep in mind...... - Menorah Collectables -> Religions, Spirituality -> Judaica The Menorah is an ancient symbol of the Jewish faith, representing the faith and people for almost 3000 years. While even those of us who aren't Jewish recognize this symbol when we see it, many don't understand its significance. Menorahs are most commonly seen......
-
Beginning the Art of Collecting Wine The purpose of this article is simply to provide you with some tips for the art of collecting wine. If you are thinking about beginning your own wine cellar or simply putting together a hobby of collecting wine, then the following tips should prove useful to you. Keep in mind...... - Tapestries Collectibles -> Linens, Fabric & Textiles -> Tapestries Tapestries are more than just beautiful wall hangings, they're woven art that served to tell stories in ancient times. The Odyssey and the Iliad were both “told” in woven form as large, rich tapestries. Every period in history has had major events......
Related Websites -
Ratings and Listings of the Best Places to Retire There are an increasing number of websites that publish lists of the best places to retire, using different criteria. I am compiling a "list of lists" if you will, i.e., a summary of the places that list, rank, or rate the best places to retire. These are some of the...... -
Where and How to Buy Antique Furniture Unless you are shopping around in a museum, it may be difficult to buy antique furniture dated before the 16th century. Collectors are generally only able to obtain pieces of furniture from the 1485 to 1600 Tudor Period and onwards, and even the furniture selection from this period is relatively...... - Art Deco Furniture Antiques -> Periods and Styles -> Art Deco Art deco furniture antiques are highly sought after and are often very unique pieces. If you love this time period, or if you are simply looking for furniture that transcends the every day mundane design, art deco furniture is the perfect choice.......
-
Sideboard Dealers -> Furniture -> Cabinets-Armoires-Cupboards A sideboard is a piece of furniture used to display China or to set food out while dining. The sideboards we’re familiar with first appeared in the 1700s, but became more popular in the 1800s when more people had dining rooms to eat in, and...... -
Could be good, could be bad Photo by: code poet This article is dedicated to my Dad who has always been there for me. Dad, thanks for your stories. I know I didn't always appreciate them, but I do now. I am passing them onto my children who I hope will appreciate them and one......
Online Stores Online Stores
