Show Time for Military Collectibles
The annual Show of Shows event took place in Louisville, Kentucky from February 21 to the 24. The Ohio Military Society event attracted collectors from around the world, and despite a massive ice storm that closed down Louisville the show went on! This year’s event featured more than 1600 tables, along with notable guests including Jack H. Lucas, Medal of Honor Recipient; Colonel Charles E. McGee, WWII P-51 pilot of the Tuskegee Airman, and Ted “Dutch” Van Kirk, navigator of the Enola Gay.
Prices continue to rise, and savvy shoppers had to be wary of fakes. But this year featured more treasures than junk. Here is a look at what the 2008 SOS had to offer:
The boys from the Band of Brothers were on hand to sign autographs and tell war stories. This included Darrel Powers, Don Malarkey, Earl McClung and Buck Compton.
Autographed artwork was available at the show, and included scenes from several of the engagements fought by “Easy Company” during World War II. Especially notable about these pieces was that these included the signature of company commander Dick Winters, who is unable to travel due to declining health.
Ted “Dutch” Van Kirk, navigator of the Enola Gay was a repeat visitor to SOS.
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Over 20 yrs ago I was thrilled to visit the home of Mrs. van Kirk..buying her husband book collection, 400 of his model planes etc. AND UNTIL RECENTLY, THOUGHT HE WAS DEAD!
Now see with excitement a jolly happy senior sitting at a table on your site!
I would be very happy to make contact with him. I have just retired from a 37 yr Out of Print Bookstore…and as my email suggest, I was a sgt. in the Womens Royal Air Force, hence my excitement when I bought some of his *estate*…
Very plesaed to fall onto this site. regards all..I have 6,000 military books.