My Artifact collection
or "bits", as the English say
I have a thing for collecting actual, authenticated pieces of famous or notable structures, vehicles etc. It started with cable from the Golden Gate bridge, and now I have actual pieces from the London, Remagen Germany, Brooklyn (yes, I bought the Brooklyn Bridge -- or part of it) and Royal Gorge bridges. I have parts from the USS Constitution, RMS Mauretania, HMS Iron Duke, Henry VIII's Mary Rose and other ships. While cargo isn't really in the limits of my collection, I've acquired coal from the bunkers of the sunken Titanic, as well as a banknote from the Andrea Doria and other, somewhat more mundane cargo. The Smithsonian sold a wonderful collection of fabrics from historic aircraft and I have all but one of that series. In addition I have material from the Explorer II and Double Eagle II balloons, a Ford TriMotor and Curtiss Jenny, Howard Hughes' Spruce Goose, the German WW1 L17 airship, Skylab, Liberty Bell 7and even engine oil from the non-stop round-the-world flight of Voyager. I have stone from the US and Kansas Capitols and the British Houses of Parliament. Insulation from Byrd's weather hut near Little America in Antarctica, the Statue of Liberty, the San Francisco cable car tracks, Jesse and Frank James' home and other notable items are in the collection.
These items are usually sold to finance restorations or memorials, or provide a memory of a meaningful structure or vehicle no longer in existence. Typically they come with some form of authenticity certification from a major player in the project.
I enjoy being able to imagine dramatic events a little more clearly when an artifact is in my grasp. Maybe an unusual marking or wear spot tells an interesting side story too.
If you know of the availability of any such items (they must be authenticated by some authority) I'd dearly appreciate any particulars you might be available to provide. I'm also happy to share further info on my collection. Email, or post to PO Box DX, Colby KS 67701 USA