France Seeking 19th Century French Militaria

[Vimy1917]

Hello! I'm a long time collector of U.S. & British Militaria, and am looking to find sources for French Militaria from whom I can purchase and trade. My interests are broad, and range from 1800 through 1918, but my focus has been photographs and medals. I have MUCH U.S. material to trade.

Thank you!

Vimy1917

[Mathomhaus]

Thirty years ago, I knew a collector who had an extensive collection of documents that all belonged to a very high ranking Waffen SS General on Hitler's staff. All legit, all real. He wouldn't consider selling them, but he said that he would only trade them for 19th Century British Guards helmets in mint condition. Back in the 70s & 80s, there were two groups of collectors who really had absolutely nothing in common: Third Reich specialists and those who collected high-end British regalia. As far as I know, he never did manage to do a trade.

I'm not about to say that those who collect First and Second Empire militaria are probably not big collectors of American material, but you should probably consider that that possibility exists!

Anyway...

After fifty-five or sixty years of collecting, I've come to realize that a problem in acquiring 19C French material in the US is this: virtually all of it on this side of the pond has fallen into the hands of antique dealers who have no idea what it is or what its worth. And the vast majority of them will always claim that anything Second Empire is First - either out of ignorance or greed...

If I knew of a dealer who could help you, I would gladly post his name. I wish you luck!

Mathomhaus

[Vimy1917]

Thirty years ago, I knew a collector who had an extensive collection of documents that all belonged to a very high ranking Waffen SS General on Hitler's staff. All legit, all real. He wouldn't consider selling them, but he said that he would only trade them for 19th Century British Guards helmets in mint condition. Back in the 70s & 80s, there were two groups of collectors who really had absolutely nothing in common: Third Reich specialists and those who collected high-end British regalia. As far as I know, he never did manage to do a trade.

I'm not about to say that those who collect First and Second Empire militaria are probably not big collectors of American material, but you should probably consider that that possibility exists!

Anyway...

After fifty-five or sixty years of collecting, I've come to realize that a problem in acquiring 19C French material in the US is this: virtually all of it on this side of the pond has fallen into the hands of antique dealers who have no idea what it is or what its worth. And the vast majority of them will always claim that anything Second Empire is First - either out of ignorance or greed...

If I knew of a dealer who could help you, I would gladly post his name. I wish you luck!

Mathomhaus

Thank you so much for your time and advice on this; it is greatly appreciated. Good luck in your collecting!

[PKeating]

Hallo and welcome! There are a few French and French-based collectors here who are very into US militaria and could doubtless help you to find French items in return for a similar service on your part. I've helped a few Americans with their wants list myself. So you have certainly landed in one of the better places on the web. But don't expect responses right away because August is vacation month in France and most people are on the beach!

PK

[Vimy1917]

Hallo and welcome! There are a few French and French-based collectors here who are very into US militaria and could doubtless help you to find French items in return for a similar service on your part. I've helped a few Americans with their wants list myself. So you have certainly landed in one of the better places on the web. But don't expect responses right away because August is vacation month in France and most people are on the beach!

PK

Thank you, PK!!