Militaria: Where to invest?

With the 100th anniversary of WWI fast approaching, militaria from the Great War looks a sound investment

Which areas of military memorabilia are the best buys ? G.A, Australia

There are clear signs that militaria from both world wars is increasingly in demand, and as with all areas of collecting, it is the pieces at the more valuable end of the market that promise the greatest price increases.

If you're thinking of purchasing solely from an investment angle I would concentrate your efforts on world war one. Of the two world wars, this has shown the greater price increases over recent years.

Partly that's because far fewer items have survived in good condition. There is also the nostalgia factor. The second world war featured many technological advancements and is seen by many as the beginning of modern warfare. Despite ending just 21 years before the next one began, the first world war feels much further removed from today. The recent passing of Harry Patch, the last surviving British soldier to have fought on the Western Front, is a further reminder that the first world war is very much in the history books.

And then there's the upcoming centenary of the start of the first world war, in 2014. It will receive considerable worldwide coverage, and in the process bring vast numbers of new collectors to the sector.

But what to buy?

If your budget will stretch to it, Victoria Crosses are time and again proving their value. Worth up to £100,000 in 1990, world war one Victoria Crosses now routinely sell in excess of £200,000.

A world war one Victoria Cross and Bar, awarded to the only world war one combatant to receive two Victoria Crosses, sold for £1.5m in 2009.

At the other end of the market, wartime correspondence from the front and uniforms routinely appear at auction with low estimates. A purchase now could be well financially rewarded in as little as two years, with the advent of the 100th anniversary.

Recent and related articles

·  Kit Carson's flintlock pistol auctions for $18,000 | 13 August 2012

·  Wilkinson turret revolver sells 36.1% above estimate at Bonhams | 26 July 2012

·  Posthumous 1915 Victoria Cross beats estimate by 11.1% at auction | 20 July 2012

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