The Making of Two WWII Memorabilia Collectors
Whenever I meet a collector, the first question
that erupts from my mind is, “How did you get interested in ….” I’m
fascinated by the process—the how and why and the way. To enhance our
upcoming exhibit on the American home front during World War II,
Produce for Victory, I asked Bill Given and Terry Reddick to install
a military exhibit in the adjacent gallery. People will experience the
European and Pacific fronts before entering the Montgomery Gallery to
see the home front. As Terry and Bill have been bringing in their
uniforms, helmets and other pieces, I’ve been wondering how their
passion was ignited.
When Terry was a twelve-year old, he had three
experiences that opened the windows of his imagination. First, he was
parachuted into combat with a John Wayne war movie. Next he read The
Night of Germany, which told the story of the German flying ace,
Manfred von Richthofen, better known as The Red Baron. Lastly, the hook
was set when Terry spied an ad for a genuine German Iron Cross in
Popular Mechanics. He immediately mailed in his $1.50. Although it
turned out to be a fake, Terry’s love of WWII history was anchored for
life. His first authentic collectibles came from his father’s friends.
Harvey Buker, Harold Nelson and Jim Carr gave him a helmet, medals and
other German pieces.
Bill’s fascination began when at age ten he visited
an uncle in Columbus. A WWII veteran in the European theatre, Bill’s
uncle showed him German steins, bayonets and armbands. In 1974, the
uncle’s collection was presented to his attentive nephew, Bill. A year
later, Bill met Terry who introduced him to dealers and collectors.
Both Terry and Bill’s interest has grown to include all of the American
military action from the Civil War to the Viet Nam War, but WWII is
still their preferred period.
Terry and Bill love the thrill of the hunt. They
add to their collections by attending military shows, antique shops and
garage sales. The most productive way is through word of mouth—whether
it’s local people or collectors spreading the word. Bill loves speaking
at service clubs about his hobby and sharing his love of history with
others. Through these engagements, Bill has met “tons of generous
people”—too many to name—who have shared their collectibles with him.
Bill and Terry each have their own specialty. For
Bill, it’s edged weapons from WWII and the Civil War. Terry’s expertise
is in headgear, daggers, medals and declarations. They sometimes trade
with each other, with a promise of visitation privileges. When Bill was
asked which piece gives him the most pleasure, he responded by giving
several: A grouping of Civil War letters and documents from a single
family, WWII items from Norm Wright and his father who was a chaplain
during the war, and a WWII German honor dagger presented to the widow of
a First Gunnery Officer on the Battleship Bismarck. When asked to name
his most cherished pieces, Terry was hard put. He loves them all, but
finally noted three: a Grim Reaper Squadron Patch from the Army Air
Corps, a presentation copy of Mein Kampf, and German and American
Air Corps Wings.
Collectors have their own fascinating
histories to tell. We’re grateful that Bill and Terry are sharing some
of their treasures with our visitors. The Johnson-Humrickhouse Museum’s
WWII military exhibit will already be on display for the Civil War
Encampment in Roscoe Village the weekend of July 16-17, continuing
though September. Maybe this exhibition will fire up another 12-year
old’s imagination.
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