Over the next few issues, this column will present a detailed survey of the fourteen companies we found that offer Napoleonic-era militaria and other collectibles (see the list published in EE&L #9 on page 15). Technically, all 80-plus firms listed in Napoleonic Sourcebook in issue #9 make "collector" items for a Napoleonic enthusiast. In order to effectively present these products and the people who provide them, it was necessary to group the businesses into nine categories. Each category will be covered in one or more future columns.
The companies showcased in this issue make the least expensive, or, if you prefer, the most affordable collector items. No matter what your particular special interest, you may find something intriguing among the following that might add a dash of elan to your chosen avocation.
Parker Enterprises
This little company first appeared at the Historicon wargame convention in July 1994. The brain-child of Albert "Rusty" Parker, a U.S. Army veteran, and his wife Carrol, it's a part-time business for them as they both attend college.
They currently offer some outstanding collectibles that are quite affordable: A hunter green sweatshirt embroidered with a gold Napoleonic eagle ($30.00 plus shipping & handling; sizes available are Large, XL and XXL); Ceramic coffee mugs with two different designs-one celebrates the 180th anniversary of Waterloo this year, the other is hunter green with a 22-karat gold plated Napoleonic eagle (either mug is $9.00 plus shipping & handling); and Napoleonic standard size playing cards imported from France with full color reproductions of paintings of the Emperor, his family, and the Marshals ($15.00 per deck plus shipping & handling). "You have to see them to appreciate them," emphasizes Carrol.
By the time you read this, Parker will have released green magnetic bases to mount any scale of wargame miniatures (at Cold Wars in March 1995). Then at the next major miniatures wargame convention, Historicon in July 1995, they plan to introduce German-style steins with pewter lids which display either Napoleonic or American Civil War flags on them. Each stein will have one flag design.
Parker Enterprises came into being because Carrol is a big coffee drinker and gets catalogs of specialty coffees. While looking through his wife's catalog one day, Albert commented that he would like to have a coffee mug with something Napoleonic on it. Right away, they began working together to develop the mugs. "It was easier than we thought," Carrol noted. They quickly
found a dealer who could produce the mugs, and used the design of the eagle from the French 8th Infantry of the Line for the hunter green mug. Rusty later did the design for the Waterloo mug.
The playing cards were found by Rusty's brother Ted during a trip to Belgium. After some difficulty, the Parkers began importing them. Of all the products offered by the company, Carrol likes the sweatshirt the most. She personally chose it for its high quality material that washes easily.
Al's interest in Napoleonics extends to his large wargame army. "He has a slew of 25mm Napoleonic figures," Carrol remarked. "I like to look at them because they're so pretty. " Carrol enjoys reading Napoleonic books because it's such a "romantic period." While Al studies the battles, Carrol prefers learning about the fascinating people like Josephine and Napoleon's Marshals.
The Parkers really do make genuine collectibles. Carrol explained: "Our products are unique. We order only a limited quantity. For example, only 300 Waterloo mugs were ordered and a large number of them were shipped overseas for the 180th. This specific design will not be reordered." The same is true for the green mug which will have its design changed when it runs out. New and different coffee mug designs for the future will also be made in limited quantities.
Carrol and Al work out new designs, pricing, and advertising together, and Carrol handles the day-to-day business. Al stresses that they look to their customers for new ideas. "We are always open to suggestions."
To order these unique and affordable collectibles, write to Parker Enterprises, 1927 Sawbury Blvd., Worthington, OH 43235, or call (614) 799-1586.
Old Guard Wargamers, Inc.
If it's too warm to wear a Parker sweatshirt, you can buy a really nice T-shirt with one of eleven different Napoleonic designs from Old Guard Wargamers. These are 100% cotton heavyweight
T-shirts available in Medium, Large, XL, XXL, and XXXL sizes.
The designs vary from simple black printed on a white shirt (Napoleon Portrait or French Old Guard Soldier for $10.00 each), to beautiful multi-color flags for $16.00 each (French Imperial Guard flag on an ash grey shirt, or Austrian, Polish, Prussian, or Bavarian flag on a white shirt, or the Russian Guard flag on a black shirt).
There is also a simple but elegant two-color Imperial Eagle design available on a dark green shirt for $14.00, and a striking Chasseur a Cheval of the Guard in color for $16.00. For those with a good sense of humor, Old Guard Wargamers also offers "Napoleon's European Tour" T-shirt in seven colors for $16.00, with the Emperor on horseback on the front, and the list of cities/battles of the "tour" on the back (with humorous comments).
The company was started in 1991 when "a group of guys were sitting in the basement, commenting on how disappointing it was that you had to go to a museum in order to get a historical T-shirt," explained Jack Fenstemaker, president of Old Guard Wargamers. "Serious historical T-shirts were not available through mail order. " Jack and his associates decided to fill this void with shirt designs that related to their personal interests: Napoleonics, the American Civil War, and, in the near future, World War I and World War II subjects.
If T-shirts aren't your style, these designs are also available on sweatshirts for $36.00 each. Add 15% for shipping and handling to any order, which should be sent to Old Guard Wargamers, Inc., 1034 Rock Creek Drive, Wyncote, PA 19095, or you can call their toll-free order line at 1-800-679-3780.
Kirk's Rare Coins
"Affordable" is not a word that seems synonymous with numismatics (the
collecting of money and medals). American coins that date from the late Eighteenth and early Nineteenth Centuries are priced in the $800 to $1,000 range. "This is due to the high demand
for American coins in the United States," explained Timothy K. Kirkpatrick, owner of Kirk's Rare Coins, a part-time business he began in the late 1970's as an outgrowth of his interest in collecting American coins. Kirk's is one of the few numismatic companies that specializes in the
Napoleonic period.
"I was interested in Napoleonics and stumbled across a French coin," Tim continued. "I actually find most of my Napoleonic coins and medals here in the U.S." Kirk's offers a wide variety for under $50, including copper coins from 1799-1800 in nice condition for less than $10 each.
Three times a year Kirk's publishes a catalog listing dozens of coins and medallions. The latter are important historically Tim pointed out, because "they were a form of propaganda. Many countries issued medallions celebrating events, such as the Birth of the King of Rome, the Emperor's Return from Elba, and Battle of Eylau. The Eylau medal is about the size of a half dollar."
More than 1,600 different medals were struck in bronze, silver and gold. Many start in the $50 range. "They offer an endless opportunity to a collector to concentrate on their particular interest. "
The political evolution of the First Empire can be traced through the changes in coin designs. This includes the Hundred Days in 1815 when Napoleon I reappeared on French coins during that brief period.
"Imagine owning a unique piece of history,' Tim elaborated . 'Who
knows what battlefields these coins were on, or whether they were
carried all the way to Moscow in the pocket of an Old Guard grenadier.
Maybe it traveled to Egypt and back." Memoirs from the period
contain numerous references to Napoleon taking out a gold Napoleon (a
gold 20 franc) and handing it to a deserving grognard. This was a month's
wages for a soldier of the line. Today, a collector can own this same gold
franc for as little as $150.
Tim went on to recommend effective yet inexpensive ways to display a coin or medal. "You can get a proper display by mounting it on a stand and covering it with a glass bell jar for under $10. Vinyl plastic coin display books are also available for around $10. Individual cardboard coin holders that fold over to seal the coin or medal can be purchased for mere pennies each."
If you like the idea of owning a Napoleonic item that may have rattled around in the coin purse of someone who lived during that exciting period, you can obtain a catalog and details from Kirk's Rare Coins, P.O. Box 660, Belleville, IL 62222. Or call (618) 235-6420 evenings.
We Value Reader Feedback
More companies and their products will be reviewed in the next issue of Empires, Eagles & Lions.
If you have a product or service that you would like reviewed, or you have a suggestion for Napoleonic Sourcebook, send to Dana F. Lombardy in care of the magazine.
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© Copyright 1995 by The Emperor's Press