Page 34 - Nov 2020 JOA

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Militaria
Militaria APPRAISERS CORNERAPPRAISERS CORNER

Finds
Finds

by David Moore, CPAA
by David Moore, CPAA

n my many years as an antiques collector, dealer, and appraiser, I
have been asked one persistent question from just about everyone
II have come in contact with. “In everything antique that has passed
through your hands; what has been your favorite item?” I usually take
the high road and state that I love anything that is collectible or sits in
a corner and is over a hundred years old; and besides, it is really hard to
decide what piece was or is my favorite item. When I am honest with
myself and others, I have to say that there are only so many Coke
machines, gas pumps, pieces of depression glass, or mass-produced
anythings that I can state honestly that I really have loved.
There are 5 items that have always been on top of my long list of
things collected, brokered, purchased for resale, or appraised that I can
truly say have been and will be my all-time favorite items that have
passed through my hands in the 50+ years in this most enjoyable hobby
and business.
Anyone who knows me realizes that I live for anything historic. If it
has a past history, I am there! I will bear my soul here on three of my
favorite items because they have a definite military background. The
other two favorite items I will save for another day.
civil war grouping on to either an
No.1 Images of Marshall and family, above heir or someone in the family who
The first favorite is a grouping Private A.O. Marshall’s would conserve and preserve every-
that came to me from a business Civil War Diary, below thing for future generations. She
associate who had called me for stated that she knew of no one who
consultation on items he was hope- would be interested and asked my
fully looking to purchase. A person associate if he would be interested in
who we will refer to as the owner of purchasing the grouping. After we
the grouping, called him to see if he discussed the possibilities with the
was interested in a Civil War grouping, my associate told the
Soldier’s diary that had been stored owner he would be interested in
in a couple of attics since the early purchasing the grouping when she
1900s. My associate has an antiques was ready to part with it.
business and is very knowledgeable I am estimating it was approxi-
but will call me if there is something mately four months later that the
I can help him with. owner called my business associate
When we spoke with the seller, and offered to sell the grouping to
we learned she wanted to sell the him. I asked him to get a signed
Judge A. O. Marshall, above notarized letter from the owner
items to someone who would appre-
Marshall’s book Army Life, written ciate and preserve them. When explaining how she came to own the
grouping and what she knew about
using his Civil War Diary, inquiring further the owner stated
a best-selling book of its day, below that there was not only a diary but a the grouping in detail. After the
book—Army Life—written by A. O. purchase, I made a trip to Illinois to
Marshall about his experiences as a look at and assess the items.
Private in the Civil War. There were Follow the Ownership
personal items including Marshall’s The owner had come into the
33rd Illinois Volunteer Infantry grouping as it was passed down from
reunion ribbons, 19th and early- her late husband’s family. The
20th century political activism rib- owner’s late father and mother-in-
bons and medals, Army Life’s hand- law had looked after and worked the
written manuscript, several first edi- A.O. Marshall farm, after Mr.
tions of his book, and two battlefield Marshall had passed, for his widow.
souvenirs. During his lifetime, After Mrs. Marshall’s passing her
Marshall was also an 1870s Illinois elderly brother lived on the Marshall
US Senator and Circuit Court Judge. farm until his passing. After Mrs.
Although we advised her that this Marshall’s brother passed away,
was an important collection, the A.O .Marshall political the owner’s father-in-law purchased
ideal choice would be to pass this medals and ribbons, above the Marshall farm, farmhouse, and

32 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles