We have a model 1887 Winchester lever action 10 gauge shotgun that I love. Our great grandfather bought it new for $20 in 1891 and it’s been in the family ever since. He was moving his family from northern West Virginia and it protected and fed them during the trip and when they settled in west central Florida, which was a pretty wild place back then.

It technically belongs to my cousin but we treat it like a family heirloom, which has a custodian but not an owner.

My grandfather was a Bugler in WW1. Was told he could pick up almost any instrument and play it by ear. He handmade a violin, wasn't a Stradivararius but was nice. My Mother and three aunts fought over who should get it. My Mother did and gifted it to my cousin. Her face looks just like my Mothers.

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Originally posted by wishfull thinker:
Stamp stores and shops kind of disappeared and my interest waned. I have no idea what I will do with it. I have kids and grand kids, the kids have seen it and fiddled with it with me, but no interest.I suspect if I had it apprised there would be more interest.

For some reason, truly collectible rare things are not of interest to many these days, especially the younger generations. My only guess as to why is that travel is so easy these days, and the internet brings lifelike images to our big screen tv.

In the old days, having a stamp from a far away place was interesting because it was, well, far away. Even Europe was a place most Americans visited only if they were very lucky. A grainy black and white photo was what most people experienced of the outside world.

My aviation autographs are probably worth no more than my father paid for them 50 years ago, for similar reasons. To me, it is thrilling to hold something quite rare that was signed by a rare individual. Maybe history and accomplishment are no longer relevant to the modern person?