40th Annual Central Virginia Military Antique Show HENRICO COUNTY, Virginia—The 40th annual Central Virginia Military Antique Show was held on November 13, 2021, at the Richmond Raceway Complex. This is one of the largest and longest running shows in the country, and once again it didn’t disappoint. The show picked up where it left off after a COVID gap
and display tables. Hundreds of people came out to this one-day show; many guests also attended the gun show being held next door in the other facility building. Long-time collectors Carl Sitherwood and Mike Ward inherited this show from Mike Kent earlier this year. Kent said, “Carl and Mike are perfect stewards for carrying the tradition forward. As collectors who aren’t viewing the show merely as a business, Mike and Carl care about the experience first and foremost from the collector’s standpoint.” Unfortunately, a date conflict with the Tulsa gun show resulted in the loss of three long-time dealers, but their spots were filled by collecting buddies of Mike
and Carl who brought a large range of fresh-to-the-market items that were quickly scooped up. Among the highlights were the liquidation of Peter George’s lifetime artillery collection, a fantastic old-time dug group of Shiloh area relics that had never been to market, and a large estate
CHARLESTON IN THE WAR 100 Significant Civil War Photographs: Charleston in the War features newly restored images of
WAR scenes in the famed city, taken 1860–1865. The cameramen include the better-known, such
as GeorgeCharleston ar Photographs: N. Barnard in and George the War S. Cook, features newly as famed s in the somecity, lesser-known taken 1860–1865.ones: Samuel Coole Charles Quinby, the partners Haas & Peale, the better-known, such as George N. Barnard and Osborn l as some & Durbec. lesser-known ones: Samuel Cooley, Charles as & Peale, Text Osborn & Durbec.Davis and Jack Melton by Stephen d Jackaccompanies Melton accompanieseacheachfeatured photog featured photograph scenesdescribing the surrounding and the history pictured scenes andselecte them. The the of settings: that portion surrounding them.ofThe Charleston selectedknown as Th images rict” variety (the areaofof settings: the city destroyed by the Great that portion Fi of Charl Charleston Arsenal, and the many churches that all known as The Battery, the “Burnt District” (the heirs “the Holy City.” Special sections of this book ar area of the city destroyed by the Great Fire of kely guns imported from England by the Confederates December 1861), the Charleston Arsenal, and ’s views. the many churches that allow Charlestonians to Charleston goes back call theirs “the The Defense to Holy City.” of Charleston Special Ha sectio Confederate major of engineers, and to Reminiscences of book are devoted to the huge Blakely guns e in 1860-’61 (1876) by Capt. Abner Doubleday, Federal e then imported from England Charlestonians by the Confederate have contributed to the hi bert N.close-ups Rosen andof Barnard’s Richard views.III. The histo W. Hatcher nificant Photographs draws on these and other works. reliance upon the writings of actual participants, suc 42–1914) and Emma Edwards Holmes (1838–1910). The history is literature, of Civil War 100 Significant CivilCharleston War goes b in theThe WarDefense of Charleston offers rewards Harbor (1890) by for all readers, Johnson, Confederate o the serious student. major of engineers, Reminiscences of Forts Sumter and Moultrie in 1860-’61 (1876) by Capt. Abner Doubleday, Federal second-in-command. Since then Charlestonians have contributed to the history of their city, notably Robert N. Rosen and Richard W. Hatcher III. The historical text surrounding 100 Significant Photographs draws on these and other works. A unique feature is its reliance upon the writings of actual participants such as Augustine T. Smythe (1842–1914) and Emma Edwards Holmes (1838–1910). As a contribution to this literature, 100 Significant Civil War Photographs: Charleston in the War offers rewards for all readers, from the casual novice to the serious student. 160 pages, Over 100 Photos, Maps, Index, Bibliography, Softcover. ISBN: 978-1-61850-167-7 Stephen Davis
collection of 70 plus Confed belt plates and swords which completely sold out. John Sexton offered free appraisals that were incredi well received. A lot of grea walked into the show; this w understandable given its loc and 40-year track record. To that buying was brisk would an understatement. Without doubt, this was t leading show for Civil War artillery. Noted Civil War artillery projectile authors John Biemeck (Ret.), Jack Melton, Jack Bell, and Peter George all set up; the four not attended the same show together in many years, alon with several top collectors field. Jim Thomas, another C War projectile book author w helping man The Horse Soldie tables and donated copies of his book as door prizes as d Ransom Hundley. There were more display tables than at the previous making the show award judges work challenging. When the scorecards were in there wer only three show prizes to gi and they went to:
✪ Historical Significance to Mike Wright for the dis “My Father’s Relics” ✪ Most Educational to Mike Singer for his “Militar Insignia” ✪ Best of Show to Bill Thompson for “Presentat Pistols”
Attendees were enormously appreciative of the displays a nonprofit informational booths Several commented as to how these have fallen off in recen years and how nice it was to h them back in healthy numbers. There was great appreciation from the show promoters, deale and attendees alike for the ha work put into displaying and t sharing of the fantastic relic In addition, a special memor table for David Pearsall was manned by several of his frien David passed away on September 28 while doing what he loved, diving for relics. A dead battery in one collec vehicle was the only excitemen on the otherwise perfect safet and security record during the show. The two uniformed Henrico County policemen actin as round-the-clock security we left with so little to do that them bought a half section of artillery shell for himself! The remarkable turnout speak loudly in support of the hobby especially in these times of negativity and disinformation. Saving the best news for last, was announced there that the
show will go on for its 41st y at the same time next year.
For more information visit https://militaryantiqueshow.co or email Carl Sitherwood
