Historical collectibles/memoribilia?

[neurotictim]

So I've more or less got an empty apartment, and I've been doing some decorating. I've got this empty corner in the hallway, though, and I have decided that I want to put in a corner curio. I'm going to put a bunch of historical memorabilia in it, and I'm looking for more ideas.

Important note: I know that for some people having some of this stuff seems macabre, or wrong. I'm not getting these things just to have them - I'm getting them because they're bits of our history, and to pay respect to them as artifacts of significant points in history. If you're totally uninterested in history, I can't explain it, but having a piece of something important makes me feel like I'm connected to it, somehow.

This thread is not intended as a debate over the rightness or wrongness of the idea.

Now, all in all, the things I'm gonna put in there will be accompanied by a certificate of authenticity, and I may have them encased in lucite or acrylic or something, to preserve them. I want to put a bunch of stuff in there, so I'm keeping the size down to softball-sized or smaller.

To give you an idea of the things I've already thought of, and to get the juices flowing, here's my list so far:

Piece of the Berlin Wall
Moon Rock
Piece of the WTC
Challenger shuttle commemorative coin
Some sort of fossil
Sand from Iwo Jima
Civil War bullet(s)
Authentic 1915 Women's suffrage protest pin
Bit of coal (or something) from the Titanic

See where I'm going with this?

I'm not specifically looking for stuff connected to tragedies, either - just bits of history. I'm also gonna keep a limit of ~$50 for each item, as I'll be getting them probably one per payday till I feel I've got enough history on display. I'll go through eBay and other sites to try and find what I'm looking for, but if anyone can suggest good sites, I'd appreciate it.

I haven't even started looking at historical memorabilia in music, so some suggestions there would be awesome. Doesn't have to be bass-specific, either.

So... Anyone got any (realistic) suggestions?

[Selta]

This is something that I'm slightly interested in as well. I don't have room in my current place for this, but within the next month I'm going to be moving, and should have ample room for a nice display of this sorts. So, your thread has my interest a lot, as I love history and would also like to have these pieces to admire, server as reminders, and also to pay respect to them

[Relic]

lol, you guys out to check out my basement one of these days. It's darn near a museum of historical memorabilia

[Selta]

Originally Posted by Relic

lol, you guys out to check out my basement one of these days. It's darn near a museum of historical memorabilia

Pics or no basement-museum!

[Relic]

Originally Posted by Ray Salamon

Pics or no basement-museum!

Well we just moved here a couple of months ago so a lot of it is still packed away, but if I get a few mins today maybe I can snap some quick pics

[macaroni tony]

I'd like to see that

[Relic]

Pulled out a box o' helmets:

Top Row WW1 - German, Austrian, French, British.
Second Row WW2 - Romanian, Soviet, Czechoslovak, Bulgarian
Third Row WW2 - French, Belgian, Italian, Danish



I have probably about 8 or nine more WW2's, and about 20 or so post war/cold war.
Then I have Civil War stuff, Revolutionary War stuff...all sorts of goodies (not just helmets)

[RonGillman3]

What about stuff from vintage cars??

[neurotictim]

Those helmets are TOO COOL.

I don't have the room to display a bunch of helmets, otherwise I'd steal that idea in a heartbeat.

Also, if you're looking to move any of the "basement treasures", let me know.

I've added more ideas to the list (in italics), but anyone can feel free to add as they think of things.


Piece of the Berlin Wall
Moon Rock
Piece of the WTC
Challenger shuttle commemorative coin
Some sort of fossil
Sand from Iwo Jima
Oil from the USS Arizona
Civil War bullet(s)
Authentic 1915 Women's suffrage protest pin
Bit of coal (or something) from the Titanic
Meteorite
Revolutionary War - dunno what, maybe also bullets?
Ming dynasty artifact
Rock from Alcatraz
Piece of the Pyramids at Giza
Piece from a Model T Ford
Something from Hiroshima/Nagasaki
Something from ancient Greek and/or Roman architecture - preferably from the Parthenon or Coliseum

I also have two command coins that I got while in the Navy that I'll be cleaning and putting on display, and decided to try to get my hands on a cel from Futurama - not that it's particularly historical, but it IS by far my favorite show, so :shrug:

Originally Posted by RonGillman3

What about stuff from vintage cars??

I added a piece from a Model T Ford, the most historical of cars (AFAIK). Good idea, thanks!

[RonGillman3]

Originally Posted by neurotictim

^ That is COOL.

I don't have the room to display a bunch of helmets, otherwise I'd steal that idea in a heartbeat.

Also, if you're looking to move any of the "basement treasures", let me know.

I've added more ideas to the list (in italics), but anyone can feel free to add as they think of things.


Piece of the Berlin Wall
Moon Rock
Piece of the WTC
Challenger shuttle commemorative coin
Some sort of fossil
Sand from Iwo Jima
Oil from the USS Arizona
Civil War bullet(s)
Authentic 1915 Women's suffrage protest pin
Bit of coal (or something) from the Titanic
Meteorite
Revolutionary War - dunno what, maybe also bullets?
Ming dynasty artifact
Rock from Alcatraz
Piece of the Pyramids at Giza
Piece from a Model T Ford
Something from Hiroshima/Nagasaki
Something from ancient Greek and/or Roman architecture - preferably from the Parthenon or Coliseum

I also have two command coins that I got while in the Navy that I'll be cleaning and putting on display, and decided to try to get my hands on a cel from Futurama - not that it's particularly historical, but it IS by far my favorite show, so :shrug:

Me thinks that you'll be spending over $50 on some of this stuff easily. BUT the Antique Store up here in Estes has a lot of Civil War stuff, like signed papers from Grant, Robert E. Lee, I think they have a pistol from the Civil War as well. I bought a lot of stuff from there, and they are willing to Bargain a lot. So if you ever are traveling in Colorado visit Estes Park.

[MatticusMania]

I'd say to avoid any of those damn commemorative coins, theyre such a crock.

[MJ5150]

What about newspapers from historic news days? Those take up very little space and can be purchased for below your budget.

I'm a sports junkie, so I would totally be down for a game used ball from a significant game. I found an Olympic torch on eBay the other day from the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles that I am seriously contemplating purchasing. Those items are way over your budget, but totally awesome.

-Mike

[neurotictim]

Originally Posted by RonGillman3

Me thinks that you'll be spending over $50 on some of this stuff easily. BUT the Antique Store up here in Estes has a lot of Civil War stuff, like signed papers from Grant, Robert E. Lee, I think they have a pistol from the Civil War as well. I bought a lot of stuff from there, and they are willing to Bargain a lot. So if you ever are traveling in Colorado visit Estes Park.

You're probably right, but that's what I'm gonna shoot for. Items that I absolutely MUST have I'll spend more on, but you'd be surprised at how inexpensive some of this stuff is on eBay.

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

I'd say to avoid any of those damn commemorative coins, theyre such a crock.

By and large I agree with you. I remember watching the Challenger live in school, though, and I want something to go along with that memory.

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by neurotictim

So I've more or less got an empty apartment, and I've been doing some decorating. I've got this empty corner in the hallway, though, and I have decided that I want to put in a corner curio. I'm going to put a bunch of historical memorabilia in it, and I'm looking for more ideas.

Important note: I know that for some people having some of this stuff seems macabre, or wrong. I'm not getting these things just to have them - I'm getting them because they're bits of our history, and to pay respect to them as artifacts of significant points in history. If you're totally uninterested in history, I can't explain it, but having a piece of something important makes me feel like I'm connected to it, somehow.

This thread is not intended as a debate over the rightness or wrongness of the idea.

Now, all in all, the things I'm gonna put in there will be accompanied by a certificate of authenticity, and I may have them encased in lucite or acrylic or something, to preserve them. I want to put a bunch of stuff in there, so I'm keeping the size down to softball-sized or smaller.

To give you an idea of the things I've already thought of, and to get the juices flowing, here's my list so far:

Piece of the Berlin Wall
Moon Rock
Piece of the WTC
Challenger shuttle commemorative coin
Some sort of fossil
Sand from Iwo Jima
Civil War bullet(s)
Authentic 1915 Women's suffrage protest pin
Bit of coal (or something) from the Titanic

See where I'm going with this?

I'm not specifically looking for stuff connected to tragedies, either - just bits of history. I'm also gonna keep a limit of ~$50 for each item, as I'll be getting them probably one per payday till I feel I've got enough history on display. I'll go through eBay and other sites to try and find what I'm looking for, but if anyone can suggest good sites, I'd appreciate it.

I haven't even started looking at historical memorabilia in music, so some suggestions there would be awesome. Doesn't have to be bass-specific, either.

So... Anyone got any (realistic) suggestions?

something nice from 1911.....practical too.....i wouldn't mind an antique victrola in my music room

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by Relic

lol, you guys out to check out my basement one of these days. It's darn near a museum of historical memorabilia

you know the rules....no pix no museum.....

[Relic]

Originally Posted by Jim Campbell

you know the rules....no pix no museum.....

man you guys are rough! I already posted one. I'll post more if I get the chance.

[neurotictim]

I'm assuming the 1911 is related to the firearm?

Also, I'm trying to keep whatever items small - meaning no victrola - though I agree, it would be cool.

[MJ5150]

Originally Posted by neurotictim

I'm trying to keep whatever items small....

I think you'd need a decent sized chunk of the Berlin Wall to convince anyone it is authentic. Otherwise, I'll break a off a piece of a jersey barrier here on our freeway and send it to you labeled as a piece of the Berlin Wall.



-Mike

[mindbass]

i like old stuff because it reminds me who much easier/better life has become. I don't collect anything in particular, but if it's old it's usually good. So far i found! some WW2 bullets, rifle and a helmet which were all completely rotten, but i keep them anyways because it's part of the history of the place i live in. I also found a neolithic stone that was carved into an axe. It's in immaculate condition with no bits missing, but unfortunately worthless.
I've got some bits off the Berlin Wall which i purchased in Berlin in 1990 so i guess it's real. I'm kicking myself for not having bought any of the USSR memorabilia that you could get by the truckload at that time in Berlin for literally peanuts. Same goes for a Trabant, someone offered me three for free if i picked them up and i stupidly said no thanks.

[neurotictim]

Nah, eBay's got "certified" pieces of the Berlin Wall all day long. Yeah, I might get a fake, but as long as they can convince me it's real, I'll play along.