Realm Collections Blog

The American Civil War between the North and South from 1861 to 1865 was as significant as it was unforgettable. This is quite true with all the reenactments being staged in different historical locations as well as the continuous popularity of Civil War Collectibles as a hobby.

There are many individuals who collect Civil War Collectibles such as firearms, swords, clothing, insignia, letters, photographs, boxes, bugles, and lanterns, among many other accessories. If you are also interested in making collecting Civil War artifacts your hobby, then here are some tips on how to start your collection.

1. 1. Decide on what Civil War Collectibles you want to have in your collection. You can have different items but you can also just concentrate on one specific kind of artifact like clothing or firearms.
2. Research the different relics that you want to include in your Civil War Collectibles. It is important for you to be knowledgeable on which items are authentic to avoid scams.
3. You also need to be aware of the value of an artifact. The price range for Civil War Collectibles are from $1 to over $100,000.
4. Purchase items only from reputable dealers. It would be better to ask for referrals from other collectors of Civil War artifacts. There are many groups you can find online that specialize in book collecting, surgical equipment, and more.
5. Do not buy items that will bust your bank account. Civil War Collectibles can be a very good investment but you should also know your financial limit and which items can be sold at a higher price in the future. 
6. Make sure that you only buy items that you are really interested in and that you will truly appreciate and enjoy. As a hobby, it should give you satisfaction as well as a promising lucrative investment.

Ready to start your hobby in Civil War Collectibles? Visit the Civil War Collectibles section for more great ideas. You can even start your collection today.

Airplane spotter cards (pictured left) are playing cards which were designed to feature the different aircraft used during World War II. By playing card games using the airplane spotter cards soldiers easily learned and memorized which aircraft belonged to an enemy or an ally. Members of the civil defense during World War II were able to identify different aircrafts on sight because of this unusual but fun way of studying them.

A deck of airplane spotter cards is composed of 52 cards divided into two sets, one set for the enemy aircraft and the other for the allied aircraft. Each suit represents one country’s different types of airplanes. Spades featured the American aircraft, Hearts had the British aircraft, Diamonds had the German airplanes, and Clubs had the Japanese aircraft. Each card was divided into three parts with the top featuring a picture of the airplane’s frontal image, the middle with the side view of the plane and the bottom with a brief description about the aircraft – its name, country of origin and other vital information.

Purchasing a deck of airplane spotter cards was not only a source of fun for playing poker, go fish, black jack or solitaire but also functioned as a learning tool covering the different aircrafts of World War II.

Today, you can use these cards to teach yourself or your children about World War II aviation. After a few rounds of playing cards, you and your kids will for sure have memorized most of the names of the aircrafts and which country they belong to.

Learning history can also be fun and easy. To pick up a deck of World War II airplane spotter cards, click here. You can also find other World War II collectibles in the World War II products section.

Celtic jewelry was originally made by Celtic craftsmen using silver and gold from around 2000 B.C. to 550 A.D. when most of the pieces they made were sought after for their design, beauty, style and symbolism. Most Celtic jewelry designs were first used as ornamental patterns decorating Bible manuscripts and these include Celtic knots or Celtic interlace (complete loops without end or beginning), the Celtic cross, the Claddagh, the Trinity knot, the triskele and the pentacle, among many other designs. 

Celtic jewelry has varied symbolism bordering between magic or paganism and the Christian religion. One fine example of this is the Charmed Celtic necklace (illustrated on the left), bracelet or ring which has the Celtic trinity symbol. This jewelry design is considered to be a symbol of magic and used as a good luck charm. However, the Trinity knot on any of these Charmed Celtic jewelries can also symbolize the “Holy Trinity” - God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, it can also be a representation for Pisces or fish which is also a common symbol for Christianity during its early days. Another design is the Celtic Knot pieces of jewelry. The Celtic Knot, specifically the one called the Rosemarkie knot represents the four seasons interconnected to each other. The triangles on each knot symbolize birth, life and death. On the other hand, it also represents the Trinity according to Christian beliefs.

Other Celtic jewelry symbols also have very interesting histories and meanings. First is the pentacle which represents the four classical elements, the spirit, harmony, and protection. Another is the triskele which is said to symbolize land, sea and sky which are considered to be the foundation of the Celtic cosmology. Finally, there is the Claddagh (illustrated on the right) which is named after a village just outside the city of Galway in Ireland. This Celtic design symbolizes betrothal, friendship and love.

Interested in more Celtic Jewelry? Click here to shop for Charmed Celtic, Celtic Knot, Claddagh, and more.