MAX Show

W

weirdpyramid

New member
Hello all,

Is the MAX show worth the trip for a Imperial/WW1 collectors? or is it a III Reich blowout?

I was thinking of making the trip down from NYC to beautiful Pittsburgh but I just don't know how worth it it will be considering the drive, rental car and room...$$$$. Since I have never been I would appreciate your honest opinions.

thanks!
chris
 
A lot of us use to go, but no longer do, as the SOS has proven to have mroe Imperial stuff in past years.

Overall the Max is a good show, but if I had to pick one, I would always go with SOS

Now there will always be that chance that soemthing may show up :D

James
 
Thanks for your input guys! I will have to think about it. A lot of trouble to go through for a possible disappointment but then again, like you said James there is always a chance that you might find the gem!

I wish I would have made it over to the last SOS but I was tied up with work. Unfortunately I don't think I will be making it to the next one either. The girlfriend and I are moving back to Germany(shes German, I am not) in March 2012 so most likely no SOS for me but then again, I will be in Germany where it is a trade show year round for this stuff.

Its a shame, I spend so much time on this forum and learn so much from everyone it would be nice to put a face to some of you. :-({|=

Again thanks for the help guys! :D
 
For me, the MAX is a 2-1/2 hour drive and I always try to make it for the first day of the show. The SOS has been so popular in recent years, more than a few previously steadfast SOS exhibitors have been unable to secure tables and set up at the MAX instead. I have never failed to find something surprising or extraordinary. I wasn't able to make the 2010 show, but this was my prize from '08 (the Deckoffizier frock coat). The seller, an acquaintance, hadn't been able to get a table at the SOS in years.

P1011141-1.jpg


Just one man's opinion.
 
I'll likely go to the MAX Show this year (2011) and I'll post some photos. I have a feeling the show could be changing a bit. I know a few new dealers will be there, and I think the price of TR stuff is just so high that it is broadening the military collectibles market as a whole. We'll see.
 
Living in the Pittsburgh area, I have been attending the MAX Show for over 20 years, even when it temporarily moved to Charlotte and Indianapolis in recent years.
No question that the majority of items are of the Third Reich era; I would estimate 75% or so. Yet, there has always been a fair amount of Imperial German, British, etc., militaria for sale as well.
I am guessing that there may be a variety of opinions regarding Helmut Weitze, especially for Third Reich items, but he always has a lot of Imperial headgear for sale as well. As far as price goes, that's another story!
IMHO, the SOS is definitely a bigger and better show, for all types of militaria, but I like the MAX Show as well. There has been an Imperial German only dealer, I believe from Oregon, that has been at the MAX the last few years, with a great selection of all types of headgear, at very fair prices.
For an Imperial collector, I believe that it's still worth the trip.
 
Sadly, I will not be attending the MAX Show this year. I've enjoyed it the past 3-years, and many times since its inception in St Louis back in the 1980's. Their new venue is very nice, compared to the old hotel meeting hall. I've decided to attend the Minnesota Military Collector Show at the MN State Fairgrounds the same weekend. The past 2-years the shows have conflicted with the same dates, and continue to do so.

As noted, the MAX Show is mostly 3rd Reich, some nice US militaria, and some Imperial dealers as well. Larry & Terri Stewart always have a very nice selection of items for sale on their tables. Larry picked up a very nice unit marked 109th Baden enlisted helmet w/trichter at last year's show. I'd seen it before his purchase, and was surprised how reasonable it was priced. I've always found several very nice things to add to my collection from the MAX Show each time I've attended, and will certainly miss seeing the Imperial collectors & dealers that attend. There actually are some reasonably priced Imperial items there (along with many outrageously priced items), and you won't want to miss Thursday set-up to find the bargains that get snapped up real quickly, if you decide to go.

Unlike the S.O.S., there are not very many paid attendees (It's mostly dealers, table-helpers, and life members). And the walk-ins with items to sell at the MAX Show are almost non-existant, which is also unlike the S.O.S. Many dealers & attendees of the MAX Show wish that their shareholders would sell the show to the S.O.S. management, and have a "S.O.S." twice a year at Louisville's fantastic venue of their great hall, airport proximity, and hotels.

If you have the chance to go to the MAX and are wavering, don't miss it! And if you've never attended a S.O.S., you really have to come to Louisville!

All the Best,

Alan
 
Alan;
Interesting choice. I agree with you on the MAX show. The Minnesota show is in my backyard so the MAX would be out anyhow.
Thanks for the heads up...I will be more aggressive on my Imperial search now that I know you and I will be in competition.
I suppose you are going too eh...... James?
Darn!

[-X
Jerry
 
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