As the founder of WorthPoint, I have been asked countless times what I collect. I think it is a funny question, as I have learned that a collector’s attention span is usually measured in a 5-6 year time span. I am typical in that respect, as, what I collect changes every 5-6 years. The problem is that I keep what I collected, thus, I have many collections that I am not active in. Thus, how do I answer the question?

My current focus as both a collector and a dealer is in paper. By paper, I mean anything produced on paper. This includes photos, letters, autographs, tobacco cards…. As a seller I like these as people around the world are my customers. They are easy to put in the mail, and the audience is large, as people can put the items in notebooks and live in an apartment. The buyers for your items are limitless, compared to selling a table or a sofa.

I personally like paper because I learn a lot from it as I read it and can experience history. I recently went through the new Smithsonian aviation museum, at the Dulles airport, in VA, and knew so much about the planes there because I have read and sold documents related, to the planes, that I bought out of attics and flea markets in Maine. It was like I have lived the history, uncensored, or through a participants eyes.

I am, through my mother’s family, a second generation American. With the recent controversy about immigration, I have wondered how American’s historically viewed my grandmother’s immigration to the United States less than 100 years ago.

Interestingly, I recently came upon a document in my buying that is from the late 1800’s, from a ship’s captain, that was immigrating to the US and had an American born wife and children. The letter is quite interesting as he is quite educated, and refers to the mass immigration rush to the US, the giveaway of land to immigrants and the immense opportunity in this country. I have shared the letter in my blog and it is quite fascinating. I suppose it is worth about $40, but, the contents, and learning about our history, is worth much more than that, to me. Ultimately, the value is worth whatever the contents are worth to a collector!

I recently spoke at a press conference, in Denver, about WorthPoint’s hosting of the American Presidential Experience, at the Democratic National Convention, in August. It is a tremendous event and I would encourage all that can attend to do so. I will take my family of 7, from Atlanta, to Denver to see it. Not because I am the CEO of WorthPoint, but because of the experience and what one can learn from the history that is there. Like reading the posted letter, and seeing from the eyes of an immigrant, the US in the 1880’s, there is so much to learn about the US presidency in this exhibition in Denver. There are documents, letters, clothes and such that the president or their spouse wore or created. There is so much to learn.

As I mentioned at the press conference, antiques are there as survivors to help us learn about the past. For me, it is more relevant to understanding the past then reading a book that is someone else’s interpretation 100 years later. You just have to take the time to do it!

“Dear Friend

Many thanks for your kind favor including my clearance from Atlantic Lodge Portland.

Will you please inform me if you think I could get the government to locate the 160 acres of land in a Western or Southern State, as I might prefer, or must I take it just wherever they happen to locate it;-have I no right to have any choice in the matter?

Would it meet the requirements of the Government if my wife is a native born American and my came to reside on the land in a couple of years; or must I myself in person occupy same in order to obtain clear and proper title to the same.

I have four years contract with the French (Messageries Maritimes Mail Steamship Company); commencing from late January. As this brings me a pretty good income. I would not like to resign the position-, until the contract is finished: but Mrs. Dithlefsen and my children may wish to come to America soon, provided it (the land grant) was located in a place not to wild and uncivilized. Mrs. Dithlefson says she would not mind to occupy such land, especially if there would be a school for our children at not too great a distance from it.

Although of course Uncle Sam will have land to give away for many many years yet to come, still with the immense immigration constantly pouring into America, would I – in your opininion – be less likely to get good land from him by writing than by claiming and occupying – it soon.

I suppose a few years would not make a difference in that respect. But no doubt – if I now at once could get it in a place already begining to be settled by immigrants, – by the time I arrived in America it might already be pretty valuable.

In conclusion: – would you advise me to try to obtain (as regards these 160 acres) timberland, mineral – land- or purely agricultural – land?

With kindest regards from Mrs. Dithlefson, my children and myself I remain

Yours truely,

Paul A. Dithlefsen”

Recently, a historical document made big news when it surpassed all estimates at auction. Sotheby’s conducted the sale of the sole, privately owned copy of England’s Magna Carta. This landmark, 13th-century document was auctioned-off to Carlyle Group founder David Rubenstein, for $21.3 million. Billionaire Ross Perot was the previous owner of the highly historic document. The document represents the rise of due process over monarchal authority.

While a historic treaty is not easy to add to a home collection, documents, seals, and historic maps have long made for fine collectibles. Official documents are a great piece of history and are often housed in museums or institutions like the Library of Congress. Private collections of newspapers to deeds to wartime letters can document a community as it moves through history.

According to sales on Ebay, currently of particular interest in the world of historical documents are classic car titles. A 1949 Studebaker Pickup title is being listed at $250 as a piece of automotive history. Decrees signed and sealed by a state’s governor can also make for an interesting collectible – especially in the case of historic legislation or when the political figure is of special significance.

The Hard Rock Café, Inc. owns the original lyrics of many popular music hits. These official documents are on display in their restaurants and hotels and are highly valued collectibles.

From the Declaration of Independence to the Rolling Stones biggest hits, original documents can make for exciting collectibles.

The President of the United States is a very busy person. Their entire day is mostly meetings with staff, with constituencies, with groups, with the media, with government officials, with ambassadors, with other heads of state, along with ceremonies, bill signings, speeches, travel…whew. Who would want the job. Yet, many do.

It stands to reason, then, that there really isn’t enough time in the day to sign everything. There are the official items to sign such as official legislation, general state correspondence, official appointments and so much more. Then there are the other items such as photos, christmas cards, requests, individual letters, and so on. It was estimated that the president received some 25,000 pieces of direct mail every day. One person just can’t do it all and needs help.

To do that, there are several different approaches the White House uses to provide relief to the president when it comes to the use of the signature.

First, is the use of the printed signature. On many items that is answered over and over again, a card is created that features the presidential signature under a particular sentiment. These are sent out for birthdays (80 and over only), anniversaries (50 and over only), new births, graduations, and so forth.

Second, is the use of an autopen. This is a device that uses a pre-recorded signature that mimics the actual signature when a pen or market is inserted. However, on close inspection you can tell that the signature is rather flat and overly precise. The autopen is used for appointments, cards, letters, and other relatively important items where a presidential signature would be normally used, but the volume would be too taxing.

Third, is a secretarial signature. Any busy executive has a staff member who can mimic the signature of the boss almost exactly. The president is no different. Many times, the signature of the staff person is so identical to that of the president that it is really hard to tell the difference between the staff member’s and the president’s. It is common knowledge that John F. Kennedy, for example, rarely signed his own correspondence almost his entire public life, instead relying on staff and the autopen to do the work.

A fourth type of presidential signature is the engraved signature. This one is printed, but like a raised business card, you can feel the signature on the card or letter similar to raised printing.

A presidential signature is also at times etched into glass or a special commemorative gift as well.

It is not surprising then, that so many items that are perported to be a presidential signature is really just a variant of one of the above. Someone who has spent a lot of time examining presidential correspondence and individual signatures can actually help determine just what kind of signature is represented.

Here is a very quick guide to presidential signatures. If you receive a fundraising letter bearing the president’s signature, it is printed. If you receive a christmas card, the signature is printed. If you receive a letter or card from the White House in response to a letter you originally sent, the signature is printed. Many appointments, except those with direct responsibility to the president, are autopenned. Most photographs with a sentiment that is calligraphied, the signature is autopenned. If the photo’s sentiment appears handwritten, the signature is probably original as well. Any business card from the White House has a printed signature.

The final rule of thumb on presidential signatures is: if the item was not signed by the president in your presence, see above.

All the best in your pursuit of the official presidential signature.

From ancient artifacts to confederate bonds, the Sword and Pen began as the Toy Soldier Shop, selling toy soldiers and limited militaria. The previous owner kept the store open for 40 years, but starting over after Hurricane Katrina was too much of a grueling task for the 80-year-old man. He sold his shop to owners of a tiny militaria store at 212 Chartes who took his collection and combined it with their own inventory. With this merger no one is deprived of the unique toy soldiers and the array of battle scenes that fill the display windows constructed by the previous owner. The newer name of Sword and Pen originates from the name of an old newspaper hanging over the door. However, the name neatly describes the collection of militaria as well as the plethora of paper goods. The collection has only expanded since the buy out 13 months ago to include confederate money, antique guns, swords, old newspapers, antique medical instruments, civil war relics, and medieval helmets, to name a few. The hodgepodge of items allows Larry a great opportunity to talk about a variety of subjects and for the customer enamored with any time period to be entertained. Some of the most interesting items include a civil war drum from the confederate army and an ink well set from Hitler’s personal office. The latter, being the most expensive item in the store marked at $25,000, attracts customers to investigate each case, onto other exciting historical memorabilia.

The Sword and Pen have a constant flux of new inventory, so even residents can frequent the shop without being bored. Besides, Larry would never allow anyone to be bored in his shop. He takes a personal interest in each customer, even tourists who were obviously lured in by the intricate toy soldier display in the front window. Larry takes the time to make everyone feel comfortable. Truly a good man, Larry spent his youth trying out law school and looking for an opportunity to use his History degree. Appealing to his esoteric side, Larry chose the antique business for a stress free environment and a chance to let his historical mind run wild. Ending up in the historic French Quarter has only added to his life as a history buff. For not only are you engulfed in history, Larry serves as a conduit to the past that so many come to New Orleans to experience. So if you are in New Orleans and have the hankering for some history, stop by the Sword and Pen at 528 Royal and allow Larry to expound on the city, for it is his love of history that makes the Sword and Pen experience complete.

I’ve had this German Wehrpass for awhile. The soldier’s name was Heinrif Esser and his last unit entry is “7./Pz. Gren. Rgt. 361″ or 7th Company of the Panzer Grenadier Regiment 361. This unit was under the famous 90th Light Africa Division (March 1942-May 1943) that was captured at the battle of Tunis.

The date of the last unit entry is December 29, 1942, so Heinrif was probably killed or captured in Tunis. I like to think that he was captured and sent to a POW camp in Nebraska, considering I bought this wehrpass from a man who lives around Hastings, NE. After the Afrika Korps collapsed in Tunis, many of the DAK soldiers were sent to Nebraska POW camps to work on farms, orchards, etc.

If anyone knows of a German casualty index, or has information as to how I can research this soldier, please contact me.

Chris Hughes is a WorthPoint Worthologist specializing in 20th century militaria and the owner of Rally Point Militaria and Vietnam Uniform – Military Collectibles sites.