Debating selling off WWII memorabelia

[nick1985]

Time for a compromise! I'd keep the stuff that has personal value. The baseball your ex sent to the real Dick Winters and then gave to you as a gift is a pretty awesome thing to hang onto, and it takes up little to no space. No idea what the story on the Japanese flag is, but again, it's a very cool, interesting decoration that takes up little space.

The helmets, on the other hand, what's their story? Did you buy them because they were in a tv show? I wouldn't call that a close, personal connection like the baseball, and unlike the flag, they take up a lot of space. I vote keep the ball and flag and sell the helmets.

Only 1 helmet is from band of brothers. The rest are authentic helmets from various nations used in the war.

 

[Schfifty Five]

Hardest part of getting older is selling off stuff you collected in your younger years that you still value because it represents an earlier time in your life to look back fondly on. Sorry to hear you may need to sell it, Nick.

I managed to keep a lotta b-ball cards and a few comic books over the years, but nothing is particularly valuable yet.

Unfortunately, if those cards are from the 1990-present era, they are not going to be worth much unless professionally graded. And only then could you sell them for something decent.

I too collected baseball cards like mad when I was younger from the late 1980's through late 1990's and they are all stored in my parents closet. I tried once to sell some of the more expensive cards (expensive at the time I was collecting) and I could not move anything. Everything either depreciated in value or needed to be graded professionally to have a chance of being sold. Sucks

But collecting cards was probably the best part of my childhood.

 

[Blackjack200]

But collecting cards was probably the best part of my childhood.

I can remember imagining the piles of money the cards would be worth some day, and trying to think how I would spend it all.

 

[Duder1no]

did you brush-paint that nazi helmet white?

 

[qliveur]

did you brush-paint that nazi helmet white?

The Germans did that in winter. I've seen pictures from the Battle of the Bulge, and most German soldiers had their helmets painted white.

 

[WT]

My guess is that everyone else started collecting cards around the same time I did, so even though the cards are somewhat old (15-20 years), there are so many of them out there they'll probably never be worth anything.

Yep, I started in '82-'83 and luckily managed to collect a lotta Ripken cards, including signed rookie cards, but again they are worth a lot less than I assumed they would be. I'll hold onto them another 7 years and get rid of them when I hit 50 so I can buy another old age crisis toy.

 

[slayer202]

sell it all but keep the flag, it's a nice piece of art at the least

 

[her209]

Yeah, I collected baseball cards when I was a kid. Stuck em up in the attic and forgot about them 10 years ago. Recently I checked on a whim and discovered they're worth less than what I bought them for.

My guess is that everyone else started collecting cards around the same time I did, so even though the cards are somewhat old (15-20 years), there are so many of them out there they'll probably never be worth anything.

Hahaha... tell me about it. I still have this Carl Ystrzemski puzzle that was included with the 1990 Don Russ babeball cards. Some dude on eBay is selling them for $1 Buy-it-now.

 

[Meghan54]

Cool collection.

That stuff is only going to go up in value. I wouldn't sell it if I were you.

You'd think that but it's not always the case. Who would buy it? Don't think anyone who is under like 30 or so is going to be actively seeking WWII items...this stuff would more appeal to the generation(s) that were around through the 1960's. And, unfortunately, they're getting older and collecting less and less. We've been seeing this trend for quite a while as the post-WWII crowd ages.

A lot of stuff from back then is about to crest in price and will tend to generally decline in worth as time passes.

Take other stuff that was around during the '50's - '60's.....stuff that used to bring a pretty penny at auction, like TB character items (Lone Ranger for one.) Stuff is really devaluing out there as the people who'd be the collectors are getting old and not into collecting it any longer as they either don't care about it any more and/or have what they want outside of extremely rare pieces.

While true that WWII stuff does cross more generational lines, I really doubt any posters here, for the most part, are actively looking for WWII items to collect, despite the comments that your collection has a lot of neat stuff.....which it does. It's just that people who really would pay top dollar are rapidly aging and are collecting less and less these days.

But you know this already. My suggestion is sell what you feel comfortable selling and won't miss, keep the rest.

 

[nick1985]

did you brush-paint that nazi helmet white?

No that helmet is the one from Band of Brothers. It's actually made of fiberglass and is extremely light (wouldn't want those actors lugging around a steel helmet!)

:awe:

 

[nick1985]

sell it all but keep the flag, it's a nice piece of art at the least

I'm thinking this is the route I plan on taking at this point.

 

[nick1985]

You'd think that but it's not always the case. Who would buy it? Don't think anyone who is under like 30 or so is going to be actively seeking WWII items...this stuff would more appeal to the generation(s) that were around through the 1960's. And, unfortunately, they're getting older and collecting less and less. We've been seeing this trend for quite a while as the post-WWII crowd ages.

A lot of stuff from back then is about to crest in price and will tend to generally decline in worth as time passes.

Take other stuff that was around during the '50's - '60's.....stuff that used to bring a pretty penny at auction, like TB character items (Lone Ranger for one.) Stuff is really devaluing out there as the people who'd be the collectors are getting old and not into collecting it any longer as they either don't care about it any more and/or have what they want outside of extremely rare pieces.

While true that WWII stuff does cross more generational lines, I really doubt any posters here, for the most part, are actively looking for WWII items to collect, despite the comments that your collection has a lot of neat stuff.....which it does. It's just that people who really would pay top dollar are rapidly aging and are collecting less and less these days.

But you know this already. My suggestion is sell what you feel comfortable selling and won't miss, keep the rest.

Yes this is also a worry of mine. If I hold onto this stuff and try to sell in 10 years it might be worth less than what it is now.

I do love history, and WWII history in particular, but I for some reason I don't feel the attachment to these items as I once did. Paying off loans seems more important to me now.

Damn real life :/

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

You will kick yourself later if you sell it. The money won't mean shit in a few years when your earnings (hopefully) increase.

THIS

Our dollar in the States is going to hell, why would you do such a dumb thing and sell this stuff?

Maybe trade it for gold?

 

[nick1985]

Maybe trade it for gold?

lol...

 

[lxskllr]

I'd make room in my apartment for the stuff. That would be the centerpiece of my decor. *I* wouldn't get rid of it, but I like that kind of stuff. If I were to get rid of anything, it would be the baseball, and the BoB helmet(But only after getting an original replacement).

 

[alkemyst]

Selling a collection over a $135 payment a month sounds more like needing the money than putting it to savings to me.

I wouldn't sell things I collected over $2k.

 

[Brainonska511]

Selling a collection over a $135 payment a month sounds more like needing the money than putting it to savings to me.

I wouldn't sell things I collected over $2k.

I agree with this.

 

[soulcougher73]

I'd love to have your collection. So that means i wouldnt sell it if i were you.

 

[nick1985]

Selling a collection over a $135 payment a month sounds more like needing the money than putting it to savings to me.

I wouldn't sell things I collected over $2k.

Its not over the $135 payment. I stated it would be more useful to me to pay off that loan than just have stuff rotting in a crawl space.

I know you desperately want to believe that I'm poor like you do everyone else, but I can assure you that's not the case.

 

[alkemyst]

Its not over the $135 payment. I stated it would be more useful to me to pay off that loan than just have stuff rotting in a crawl space.

I know you desperately want to believe that I'm poor like you do everyone else, but I can assure you that's not the case.

Dude, you pointed it out above. You are saying a $135 payment for a $2000 loan is a burden.

When you have to sell off stuff, a collection no less, for a $2000 debt, you are not financially stable at all.

You can think what you want, reality is much different.

 

[nick1985]

Dude, you pointed it out above. You are saying a $135 payment for a $2000 loan is a burden.

When you have to sell off stuff, a collection no less, for a $2000 debt, you are not financially stable at all.

You can think what you want, reality is much different.

You're such a fucking dumbass. Honestly.

 

[alkemyst]

You're such a fucking dumbass. Honestly.

Yeah, let's get into personal insults now.

Everyone else see's that this is not about you selling things to put into savings. If you are having difficulty with paying $135 a month and you have stuff collecting dust, sell it. If you were not struggling with that $2000 debt, then you'd have not mentioned it.

I swear people want to insist they are financially better than they really are, they even vote this way and wonder why they get fucked at tax time.

 

[brblx]

it seems that 'historic' items maintain their value a lot better than 'collectables' and 'memorabilia.'

the baseball and the prop helmet, stuff like that, will probably vary in price the most.

that said, the baseball is freakin' cool. who's on it? i see rich winters but can't make out the others.

edit: nm i'm dumb, it says 'rich winters 506th pir' and a date. still really cool.

 

[nick1985]

Dude, you pointed it out above. You are saying a $135 payment for a $2000 loan is a burden.

When you have to sell off stuff, a collection no less, for a $2000 debt, you are not financially stable at all.

You can think what you want, reality is much different.

Actually, I'll play along.


Lets take bolded statement #1. Where did I say the loan was a burden? I remember saying it would be nicer to me to not pay that bill than have my helmets in a crawl space. Feel free to quote otherwise, but we all know you are just a dumbass who makes shit up, so you won't be able to.

Now, bolded statement #2. Who says I have to sell a god damn thing? The entire point of the thread was about me thinking about selling some things. Not that I MUST sell items to repay debts. Again, feel free to quote anything I've said that leads you to believe I have no option but to sell my collection.

Bolded statemnt #3. lol, I don't even know what to say to you. I have a nice place, a nice car, a nice job. That about sums that one up. Feel free to provide quotes from me showing I'm not financially stable.

turd

 

[nick1985]

it seems that 'historic' items maintain their value a lot better than 'collectables' and 'memorabilia.'

the baseball and the prop helmet, stuff like that, will probably vary in price the most.

that said, the baseball is freakin' cool. who's on it? i see rich winters but can't make out the others.

Nobody else, just Winters.

It says:

"Hang Tough" Dick Winters 506th P.I.R. 101st A.B.