Kinds of Civil War Antiques - By: Charlie Reese

Even though my son is just 10 years old, he's already a huge history buff. He loves American history in general, and anything related to Abraham Lincoln in particular. I don't know where he picked up this passion for history, but I'm willing to do anything I can to encourage it. After all, I'd rather see him with his nose buried in a book than in his Nintendo DS! Plus, I have to admit that my son's hobby makes Christmas and birthday shopping a lot easier. All I have to do is check the Internet for Civil War antiques, and I'll soon be browsing through a treasure trove of terrific products!

The mid-to-late 1800's are an era ripe with American history, full of real-life heroes and as many villains. And there are more Civil War antiques and collectibles available than I could have imagined. The thought of my son (and me, by default) owning a real piece of history is actually quite thrilling. There are dealers throughout the United States, but as one might expect, I found them to be concentrated on the east coast. Individuals and businesses that buy, sell, trade, appraise and authenticate Civil War antiques are flourishing via the Web.

Authentic uniforms, medals, and swords are popular items, as are paper memorabilia such as letters to and from soldiers. Photographs, stereoviews, and tintypes are a wonderful way to capture the history of the period, and are a terrific way for a beginner to dive in to the world of Civil War antiques. For the collector who's looking to narrow his search, it's even possible to find items unique to Abraham Lincoln, Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant, or other major players in the conflict. In addition, there are even items dedicated to certain professions, such as military surgeons or buglers. Actually, I'm discovering that the hunt for just the right piece is half the fun.

Although I haven't decided which Civil War antiques I'm going to buy for my son, I'm sure he'll be thrilled with whatever I get. When I see him open up his authentic 1867 tintype or CSA currency on Christmas morning, I know all my shopping will have been well worth it!

The mid-to-late 1800's are an era ripe with American history, full of real-life heroes and as many villains. And there are more Civil War antiques and collectibles available than I could have imagined. The thought of my son (and me, by default) owning a real piece of history is actually quite thrilling. There are dealers throughout the United States, but as one might expect, I found them to be concentrated on the east coast.

Charlie Reese likes giving civil war and psychic advice on his horoscope website daily.