Collecting a Story and a Soul
Historical Media was born as a company in 1999. However, its origins date back to Rick’s childhood experiences with his grandfather- a career Naval officer and Pearl Harbor survivor. Hearing his stories and seeing the Arisaka rifles, the Senninbari, and other artifacts he returned home with, was the true origin of what would later become a collecting passion and eventually evolve into a business.
We have always emphasized photo & paper items in our offerings as they provide the best resource to discover the “story and soul” behind the item. Metal and cloth items – weapons, medals, uniforms, etc. – are fascinating, but they often leave one with nagging questions like “who did this really belong to,” and “where has this been?” Indeed, photos always seemed to us like miniature “time machines” that transported the observer back in time to see the war through the eyes of the soldier or sailor who snapped the image. A medal or a piece of insignia is only a mute representative of someone’s experience while photos and documents cry out their story.
A central location for the best photo & document items on the internet
We scour the world for the best original historic military artifacts. Through our trusted network of international buyers, we are able to source fresh material that we hope will find its way into your valued collection.
You can also find us live and in person at major shows in the US – the Show of Shows in Louisville, the West Coast Military Show in Pomona, CA and the MAX in York, PA. We fit smaller shows such as Raleigh, NC and Allentown, PA in as our schedule permits.
A passion for research led Rick to become a very early member of the WAF. He also served as the original moderator of the Research Forum. (Remember when the forum was just a single ongoing thread?)
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Always buying collections
Concerns about German Items?
We get it. If you are a new visitor, you may be concerned about the German insignia evident in some of the photos and documents found on this website. One must understand, however, that German WWII items were first collected by the GI’s who “liberated” them during or just after the war. For most, they were the most prized possessions hidden away in their footlockers and duffle bags. Historical Media does not promote any ideological glorification of hate or intolerance . We encourage collecting of WWII artifacts to be done in the spirit of these “first collectors.”
WHY ARE THERE SO MANY GERMAN ITEMS?
Also a good question. We are constantly looking for good Allied material. The reality is that, as a paper dealer, there is simply far less of it than the German equivalent. Partly, this was due to the advanced state of photography in Germany in the 30’s and 40’s. It was truly the Zeitgeist of that era. Furthermore, by the time the US became involved in the war, the fighting was severe and taking photographs was not a very high priority.
I NOTICED JEWISH RELATED PHOTOS
Historical Media has been a trusted source of Judaica images for such institutions as the National Holocaust Museum, the Smithsonian Institution and important Jewish archives and private collections the world over. In the spirit of “never again,” it is our priority to preserve such images and ensure they find a proper home.
