Ralph A

Thank you for the comments! I've had some other opinions elsewhere today, to back yours up.

Note how the wrench is on the left. On all the others I've seen, it's on the right.

Nothing? Where's my peeps?

I picked this one up at an estate sale yesterday, in "Backwater, VA." Paid $25 for it. Unusually, there is no inscription in the banner. It's aluminum, 16x12" approx.

Repro?

Opinions?

Nope, I shouldn't have this. . .

It's a grave marker taken from a National Graveyard. I rescued it from a recalcitrant Unreconstructed Rebel, who has no appreciation for history or honor.

One day, I'll return it to the National Park Service, and watch them replace it over some Union hero's final resting place.

But not yet.

I'll hang onto it for a little while, as repayment for the fact that soldiers of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment invaded my hometown in South Carolina in April 1865, burned down one of my relative's plantation mansions . . and carted off all the silverware.

God Bless them all.

And that's something, coming from a Son of the Deep South. . .

Who else collects GAR?

A postcard in my collection, of a Luisenbund luminary: Freifrau von Hadeln, Bundesfuehrerin des Bundes Koenign Luise:

More.

I have a membership booklet, too. I'll post it, if anyone shows interest in such a boring thing. I DO have a somewhat profound reason for my interest in such things.

As far as I can tell, I'm the only serious collector of Luisen Bund artifacts. Am I wrong?

There is a pretty good Wiki article on this society, if you want to know more. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Louise_League

To add to the write-up, I've heard the society described as a union of women who believed that "Papa knows best." (Apologies to the current Bund) http://www.luisenbund.de/

Works for me.

Probably because when I was a child, I had a dog that looked like this:

I have an affinity for this postcard:

Some of the best things come in pairs. . .

I think it will be improbable that I find any originals. . .

Outstanding! Thank you.

No one can help me with the missing pieces?

Super cross. Excellent shape. Here's my (saltier) example, for comparison:

Good grief. But I have to admit that I have a soft spot for the weird and strange. If he was selling it for $20 I would be tempted to add it to my Freak Show collection.

But before you think I'm a nut job, the following is the sort of thing I really go for:

"Second" EK2 doc ? ?

OK... was just waiting for this to finish it off.... his second EK2 doc....

Don't worry. I'm a half-step ahead of the Grim Reaper.

Related:

Some patriotic German couple would have traded in their gold wedding bands for these.

This has to be one of my favorite and most poignant collectibles ("collectables" to you Brits):

This picture, along with the badge & etc., is in my will to Don...

Post 15, Patrick, exceptional collection and a superb display. Top Drawer, and how!

Can we see some closeups of some of your more rare and exceptional pieces?

I admit to being somewhat of a dilettante when it comes to these badges. I collect mainly NS day badges and Imperial German decorations; UK badges and the like are an affectation of mine, Objet d'art only, so to speak .

Howe Btn, RND:

The Buffs, Royal East Kent Regiment...

Someone take a look at Post 19. Should be East Kent, right?