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The 2023 Show of Shows - Louisville, Kentucky - February 22-26

Featured Replies

#126

The Original Show(s) of Shows?

 

1940 Hickam Field Hawaii Grand Opening & Carnival

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#127

And don’t forget packet pickup and waiting for set up on Wednesday

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#128

A fantastic show, a great sign that the hobby is going strong.  I especially liked the announcement at 3pm on Saturday thanking the dealers for attending and if you didn't make any money you were over priced. 

#129

Best SOS ever! I had a great time.

#130

Basket! Basket! Basket! It’s a freaking basket!

#131
9 hours ago, snake36bravo said:

 

The cool thing was the photograph showing the exact same style of gondola in use wartime with an observation crew suited up. 

 

 

And for all of $19K or $20K, it could be yours, right? (I'm Not poking fun at member snake36bravo for posting the above statement. Yes, it is great that there is a photograph showing the same type of gondola being used with an observation crew suited up. I agree entirely, and appreciate you posting that statement.)

 

Jeff & Anna of AGM had it on the cover of their recent online sale catalog, 2nd of February, 2023.

 

I wonder if another example even exists?

 

It's an interesting story as to how Jeff acquired it, if anyone happened to see the details in the online catalog description. A very rare and unique item for sure.

#132

Some pics of my tables as well as some random shots I was able to take. Best SOS for me by far. Didn’t see most of the show other than Wed night set up and a bit on Thursday morning. Always nice seeing friends and members of USMF that I know already, and meeting some that I didn’t. Don’t think I stopped smiling the whole week 

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#133
38 minutes ago, BigDogMilitaria said:

Some pics of my tables as well as some random shots I was able to take. Best SOS for me by far. Didn’t see most of the show other than Wed night set up and a bit on Thursday morning. Always nice seeing friends and members of USMF that I know already, and meeting some that I didn’t. Don’t think I stopped smiling the whole week 

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Jay who is in the picture with you?

 

Looks like some relatively young guys.

#134
19 minutes ago, manayunkman said:

Jay who is in the picture with you?

 

Looks like some relatively young guys.

All forum members , I don’t know their user names on this page off hand 

#135
1 minute ago, BigDogMilitaria said:

All forum members , I don’t know their user names on this page off hand 

Interesting and great to see so many much younger than me.

#136

So . . . question for all you who go. Is the show mostly "grail" items or the fabulous finds or is there more generic stuff, too? Like medals and insignia and items that aren't named and maybe not the museum type of thing? Just wondering, as most of the pics I see are fab items. However, that is what you'd take pics of! So, I thought I'd ask!

#137

It’s all there Elizabeth…common to rare….but what makes it unique it’s all in one place….the only hunting you do is under one roof over the course of 1-2 days. 

#138

I had 4 tables with items mostly less than $50. Some $5. Most I sold were $400 groupings. 
Also, I bought many $20 items. So, yes, there was something for everyone. I even gave away some stuff to the younger crowd.

#139
32 minutes ago, Dirk said:

It’s all there Elizabeth…common to rare….but what makes it unique it’s all in one place….the only hunting you do is under one roof over the course of 1-2 days. 

 

31 minutes ago, CombatEng44 said:

I had 4 tables with items mostly less than $50. Some $5. Most I sold were $400 groupings. 
Also, I bought many $20 items. So, yes, there was something for everyone. I even gave away some stuff to the younger crowd.

 

Thanks to you both! I kind of wondered, so I thought I'd ask. I'd really love to go, and after watching this thread this past week, I'm really enthused. We might see if we could work on saving to go next year. :) But, I wondered about more normal items. I like un-named, in general (as far as owning - love doing named items for others!) as I like collecting for framed displays and I want them to be for who I'm doing the display for, not whose name is on it. If you get what I mean. :) Thanks for the comments! I'm enthused!

#140

Oh, one other particular question . . . do you ever find uniform buttons there (not the normal WWII-newer US stuff, but uniform buttons from older and non-US? I'd really,, really like to focus on buttons from different countries and eras and it might be fun to try and find a few there, if we get to go one time! :) 

#141

Awesome pics, really appreciate those that posted them. I haven't been able to make it out to SOS yet but I think I'm going to try to make the trip next year.

#142
3 minutes ago, Nickman983 said:

Awesome pics, really appreciate those that posted them. I haven't been able to make it out to SOS yet but I think I'm going to try to make the trip next year.

 

Ditto, ditto! really enjoyed watching this thread. Would love to go!

#143

Yes, you can find buttons particularly if a civil war dealer or dealer who specializes in early American Militia is there.  There were several. More likely you can ask dealers if they have spare buttons, particularly British Empire or Imperial German cloth collectors might have a few under the table as well. 

#144
34 minutes ago, stratasfan said:

So . . . question for all you who go. Is the show mostly "grail" items or the fabulous finds or is there more generic stuff, too? Like medals and insignia and items that aren't named and maybe not the museum type of thing? Just wondering, as most of the pics I see are fab items. However, that is what you'd take pics of! So, I thought I'd ask!

Great question! This was my first SOS, actually the first major Militaria Show I have ever attended. Always attended shows like the Mattydale, NY, Boxboro, MA, and one some of you may remember Lowell, MA.  One observation I made was that there seemed to be higher end German items but not as much US militaria that would be consider "grail" category. Granted I was not privy to Wednesday when dealers were able to access each other's best items. Additionally, I'm sure that I did not see everything in on Thursday and Friday, although I did walk every row those two days. I'm strictly WW2 oriented and was hoping to come home with some large bore Tank Rounds, Yellow HE Ordnance, hoped to see at least one D-bale Airborne Helmet, ETO Camo Painted Helmet, and a few Wool Tank Battalion patches.

 

Given all this I have no regrets as I was able to spend some money on a few very good finds. Also, I am sure others found items they have been specifically searching for. Also, I hope to attend again next year God willing. 

 

Final comment, I was in Kentucky in 2017 for the Solar Eclipse with my family. We had dinner at a great BBQ place called "Marks Feed Store" that's less than three miles from the Crown Plaza Hotel. Well, I took my buddy to Marks Feed Store on Thursday and he wanted to go again on Friday. It's the best, so you all should check it out when in Louisville again as will I.

#145
57 minutes ago, Persian Gulf Command said:

Great question! This was my first SOS, actually the first major Militaria Show I have ever attended. Always attended shows like the Mattydale, NY, Boxboro, MA, and one some of you may remember Lowell, MA.  One observation I made was that there seemed to be higher end German items but not as much US militaria that would be consider "grail" category. Granted I was not privy to Wednesday when dealers were able to access each other's best items. Additionally, I'm sure that I did not see everything in on Thursday and Friday, although I did walk every row those two days. I'm strictly WW2 oriented and was hoping to come home with some large bore Tank Rounds, Yellow HE Ordnance, hoped to see at least one D-bale Airborne Helmet, ETO Camo Painted Helmet, and a few Wool Tank Battalion patches.

 

Given all this I have no regrets as I was able to spend some money on a few very good finds. Also, I am sure others found items they have been specifically searching for. Also, I hope to attend again next year God willing. 

 

Final comment, I was in Kentucky in 2017 for the Solar Eclipse with my family. We had dinner at a great BBQ place called "Marks Feed Store" that's less than three miles from the Crown Plaza Hotel. Well, I took my buddy to Marks Feed Store on Thursday and he wanted to go again on Friday. It's the best, so you all should check it out when in Louisville again as will I.

 

Great comments! So . . . did you see/find any of your list? 

#146
1 hour ago, stratasfan said:

Oh, one other particular question . . . do you ever find uniform buttons there (not the normal WWII-newer US stuff, but uniform buttons from older and non-US? I'd really,, really like to focus on buttons from different countries and eras and it might be fun to try and find a few there, if we get to go one time! :) 

 

stratasfan I'm not sure the SOS is the best place for early American and European military buttons. I think you would have better success at a Civil War show. I can put you in direct contact with dealers who can help you. 

 

Some Revolutionary War French and British buttons can be found here in the United States. There are a couple of dealers in Canada who can provide British buttons from the Revolutionary War and War of 1812. Then there are the dealers in Europe.

 

What exactly are you looking for? Some of the buttons can get pricey and there are reference books I would highly recommend your getting.

 

Republic of Texas buttons are highly sought after.

#147
3 minutes ago, The Iron Brigade said:

 

stratasfan I'm not sure the SOS is the best place for early American and European military buttons. I think you would have better success at a Civil War show. I can put you in direct contact with dealers who can help you. 

 

Some Revolutionary War French and British buttons can be found here in the United States. There are a couple of dealers in Canada who can provide British buttons from the Revolutionary War and War of 1812. Then there are the dealers in Europe.

 

What exactly are you looking for? Some of the buttons can get pricey and there are reference books I would highly recommend your getting.

 

Republic of Texas buttons are highly sought after.

 

Well, I wasn't thinking of Revolutionary War buttons! Never really thought that would be a thing! I was thinking more Civil War through WWII and trying to get buttons from different countries and stuff. I have a Dutch WWII, Canadian WWII Medic, WWI German, US Indian Wars, Pre-Castro Cuba . . . things like that. I was thinking it would be cool to just have fun doing buttons that won't take a personal loan and could be different countries and eras to satisfy my diverse historical interests. :) Nothing too grand.  What kind of a Civil War show? 

#148
40 minutes ago, stratasfan said:

 

Well, I wasn't thinking of Revolutionary War buttons! Never really thought that would be a thing! I was thinking more Civil War through WWII and trying to get buttons from different countries and stuff. I have a Dutch WWII, Canadian WWII Medic, WWI German, US Indian Wars, Pre-Castro Cuba . . . things like that. I was thinking it would be cool to just have fun doing buttons that won't take a personal loan and could be different countries and eras to satisfy my diverse historical interests. :) Nothing too grand.  What kind of a Civil War show? 

 

Google any of these shows:

 

Annual Ohio Civil War Show in Mansfield Ohio

Gettysburg Civil War Show (PA) 

National Civil War & Antique Arms Show (VA) 

Baltimore Antique Arms Show (MD) 

 

There are dug buttons and non dug buttons. Even dug buttons can bring a good price. Some years ago a Revolutionary War dug Maryland button sold for $10,000. Like with everything condition matters. 

 

There are many types of reasonably priced military buttons for sale. Some of the early military academy buttons are rare. I would suggest doing some research and then set some goals are a starting place. 

#149
56 minutes ago, stratasfan said:

 

Great comments! So . . . did you see/find any of your list? 

Well often when I pursue what I look for I find new things that create new lists and interests.  Picked up a great British Pathfinder Sleeve Patch from BigDogMilitaria and an early Pressure Firing Device from B&B Militaria that add to my collection. Also, made a couple of good connections that could lead to some things I really want.

#150

Great to know! As far as the SOS . . . would anyone say that there is more US or more German stuff typically for sale? 

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