Auggie Weisert, worth the money?

[Doughboy]

I keep seeing Auggie blankets selling for tons of money. Just wondering why people are so willing to spend so much when there are equally good blankets available for much less. I have had a couple AW's as well as Childs federal. Currently own a Charlie and S&S which I think is as good or better than the original AWs, half the price AND easily available off the rack. Is it just the rarity that motivates the high prices or what?

[Citman05]

Re: Auggie Weisert, worth the money?

Some people are just Blanket Heads, that's what they love and are in to. They will show you how they have one of every blanket made, etc. SO ya, its just the rarity, there are several top quality blankets out there and available.

Are they worth the $? Well, as long as people still think of them as rare, they will only go up in value.

[Mutt]

Re: Auggie Weisert, worth the money?

If it'll eventually help me retire years from now, let the AW blankie price keeping goin up! ;) I agree with Brian. There is an interesting market out there for high quality reproductions now becoming their own collectors' item. Pretty interesting. I can admit to not brining it out to every event, taking my FHW one instead. If the FHW ones becomes rare . . . suppose that's a future Christmas gift.

I do enjoy a nicely reproduced blanket myself, but have held back on many over the years, just couldn't justify spending X amount on a blanket and not having a quality cap or sack coat, etc etc.

Best,

[Dbackfed]

Re: Auggie Weisert, worth the money?

You all see that Sam Doolan Gardner canteen go for almost $230.00 on Ebay? Even the CRRC's are getting up there. It's quite an interesting phenomenon for some of those early made goods go up in price significantly.

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: Auggie Weisert, worth the money?

Cost, worth, and value are different terms. So, "Is it worth it?" is a relative question. I thought it would be worth reviewing Matt Woodburn's "Blanket Clinic" thread from last year. If it ain't in this thread ( http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/...-Reproductions ), then you probably don't need to know it.

It is worth noting that the number of folks in the Fed blanket business is down right now. S&S carries a fine example from FHW, but I've heard they are out of stock at the moment. "Back in the day", Childs, Woodburn, the "Abe Thomas" folks, and the Wisconsin Veterans' Museum were all making blankets. Today none of them are and I think it shows when one of these comes up for sale.

I once had a I&C pack that I got in the 1990's for under $200. When the maker stopped making, I could hardly wear the darned thing without getting offers to buy it.

[JimConley]

Re: Auggie Weisert, worth the money?

It is worth whatever someone is willing to pay. Just depends on how badly the buyer wants the reproduction.

But, John brings up a good point as well. When the market shrinks regarding a specific item, a US blanket in this case, then folks revert back to the quality reproductions that were once available. When I sold my Julius Jones blanket, I had no idea there would be such a demand for it. I sold it in less than half an hour for under $100. I later found out that I could have gotten twice that in likely the same time span from ad to sold.

And to add onto what Mutt mentioned about reproductions becoming collector's items, I think that has always held true, even when there are high quality reproductions readily available. If you stop and think about it, anything by Paul Smith, Joe Covais, Chris Schrieber, or Lukas Berg gets snatched up on the secondary market almost immediately.

[Nighthawk]

Re: Auggie Weisert, worth the money?

I came of age in the CW "lifestyle" during the last part of the "make it yourself era". I still have many of the thimgs I researched and made, cap boxes, a cartridge boxes, hats, belts, canteen slings, etc. Then individuals started making a few items for their units or pards. I still have two of the old Cofederate States Armoury canteens, (the first hot dipped tinware reproductions), as well as a CS plate, bowl, lidded boiler, and little rounded cup. People still try to get my cup from me every time I bring it out. (CS Armoury was the forunner to the Latham and Denton canteens). All the items were copies of originals, some in Jim Stametelous' collection and others in private collections. I remember handling and measuring an uber rare tarred CS haversack ID'd to the 17th NC so I could make a copy. I still use that haversack most of the time. Then came the mass produced era, Childs, Schreiber, etc. of which I still use many examples. I remember running into Tim Allen at the Gettysburg Visitor's center just after the 125th, and begging him to sell me his jacket. It was one of Ben Tarts first runs of Veg. dyed jean and was put together by Bob Parker. I finally got him to sell it to me a year later. I still cherish my Schreiber Cartridge box, and my County Cloth blankies. I was fortunate because I learned early on how things were made and put together. As evidenced by many of the questions I read, that knowledge is fading away from the newer generations. Now the question in many cases has become who makes the best XXXXX article and where can I buy it?

[JimConley]

Re: Auggie Weisert, worth the money?

I was fortunate because I learned early on how things were made and put together. As evidenced by many of the questions I read, that knowledge is fading away from the newer generations. Now the question in many cases has become who makes the best XXXXX article and where can I buy it?

Excellent post, Paul. It's nice to see that there are still some folks around that get it.

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: Auggie Weisert, worth the money?

I was fortunate because I learned early on how things were made and put together. As evidenced by many of the questions I read, that knowledge is fading away from the newer generations. Now the question in many cases has become who makes the best XXXXX article and where can I buy it?

Ah, the great dilemma! When you can get the "good stuff" faster than you can learn "why" it is good, our collective knowledge-base shrivels. One day Childs, Tart, Serio, Bender, and others will move on. Who will take their place? As you note in your post, many of the makers who are known for sweating the details started making items for their own use, then for their comrades, only later entertaining the idea of going into business.

Back when I was a poor twenty-something, I would make two or three of an item whenever I needed something for my impression(s). I'd keep one and sell the others to pay for the project. I still see some of those pieces from time to time...

[JimKindred]

Re: Auggie Weisert, worth the money?

Back in the old days folks had to use originals and books for research. The skills to do that are rapidly becoming extinct.

[JimKindred]

Re: Auggie Weisert, worth the money?

When I sold my Julius Jones blanket, I had no idea there would be such a demand for it. I sold it in less than half an hour for under $100. I later found out that I could have gotten twice that in likely the same time span from ad to sold.

I guess I should get that blanket out of my truck and stop using it as cover for stuff in the back. :)

[Gallinipper]

Re: Auggie Weisert, worth the money?

Enjoying this thread and of course the usual suspects with their "nail on the head" posts, as always...

I sold my Augie for something like $80 and felt good about it. Read between the lines here: If the pard who bought that #$%^ thing from me is reading this-- I want it back NOW!

While we're at it, I want the --insert word here-- I&C pack too.

RC
Proud member,
"College tuition costs what??" Mess

[Doughboy]

Re: Auggie Weisert, worth the money?

I loaned an Auggie to a friend when I was out of hobby for a while. When I finally asked for it back about a year ago I was handed an older FHW blanket. He insisted that was what I had given him. I'll never see that blanket again, but I am certain I wouldn't pay 250 for one even now.

[Mutt]

Re: Auggie Weisert, worth the money?

The thread has taken a turn away from the AW blankie and into a neat discussion on a layer of the reenacting hobby that is being lost - IE the commments several have made about making something yourself, after thurough research and its fading away.

Like many in Civil War reenacting, after 13 years, I needed a break and got into WWII stuff. It swas OK and I still enjoy doing it every so often. Then I made friends with a student where I work who is really into Rev War and was researching Grenadier headgear. I hesistated to show interest since I had heard stories of crazy Rev War folk, but this guy's passion for not only researching but reproducing clothing and gear of the time period was infectious. Next thing I know we had sewing nights where 5 dudes sat in his apartment paging through books, ironing fresh linen and cutting fabric out to make shirts, overalls and regimental coats. A few months later, we gathered in another guys basement to produce Continental cartridge pouches from punching holes to making the thread.

So, why say ramble on about this as, indeed, I realize I am preaching to a choir! It comes down to the fact that even though I can still say my heart lies with Civil War reenacting, every time I put on a Rev War item I made the feeling is different (OK, of course it is, the clothing was different, you know what I mean). I haven't made as much CW stuff, but do have a few things. It's rewarding and more importantly adds another layer of understanding of what it was like "back then" and what it took to cloth an army and the individual. If you have never put any element of your kit together, I whole-heartedly encourage you to do so. Get a Wambaugh, White & Co kit!

Best,

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: Auggie Weisert, worth the money?

...every time I put on a ...item I made the feeling is different (OK, of course it is, the clothing was different, you know what I mean). I haven't made as much CW stuff, but do have a few things. It's rewarding and more importantly adds another layer of understanding of what it was like "back then" and what it took to cloth an army and the individual.

I agree whole heartedly!