Whilst cleaning the garage I found a briefcase with these items and other documents from WWII some marked secret and I was wondering if anybody would be interested in them or if there were any sites I could look at.
2007-03-30 06:41:56 · 6 answers · asked by heyhono2000 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
I should think you should contact the War Museum in London
2007-03-30 06:45:55 · answer #1 · answered by ? 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wartime maps, even those marked secret, are not that uncommon since I come across them on a regular basis at open-air flea markets etc. in Europe, but some might be more valuable than others because they might shed some light on the more obscure chapters of WWII history. Not surprisingly, they're often the most valuable to researchers closely involved in local history, in this case the Dutch.
Sometimes, a map that was actually used by tactical planners still carries hand-written markings and annotations on them, which potentially can be more valuable than any printed feature. It's always a good idea to gain some insight into the origin of these maps, who did they belong to? How did they come into your possession? What where they used for?
The German bombardment and annihilation of Rotterdam, clandestine operations against the nazi occupation, the battle of Arnhem (Operation Market Garden), and much the Allied advance after battle of the Bulge in order to cross the river Rhine took place in that area, so yes, this find should generate at least interest among war historians.
For that reason, you might want to contact the Netherlands Army Museum, a large, government-sponsored collection of war memorabilia and study centre in Delft, the Netherlands (see link below).
2007-04-01 05:20:50 · answer #2 · answered by nuclearfuel 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Contact the National Archives
2007-03-30 13:49:46 · answer #3 · answered by Murray H 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hello
OOooh what a find! I dont know exactly what they are worth but am sure they are very valuable. Do not let them go out of your sight!
If you are in the UK you could have a look on the BBC,s website:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/antiques/
Write an email to them saying that you have found some stuff that you think might be of value (do not let on what they are) and wait for them to email you back. They should give instructions on what to do next!
Look in your yellow pages or phone book and look for antique valuers or for auction rooms near you, call them and ask if you could take your documents in for them to have a look at.
If you have a university near you take them to someone in the history department (or some department similar) and see what a professor says. Again I advice you to call and make an appointment.!
Please, please dont let them out of you sight! Handle them with rubber gloves on and a pair of tweezers to turn the pages so you are not damaging the quality of the paper.
If you can get them insured! You could go to a solicitor or lawyer and see what legal procedures you can take so that hey remai n yours forever.
You could sell them---some people will buy off ebay or local auctions, keep them for sentimental value or if you feeling particuarly generous; donate them to a museum near you and ask them if you can have yr name by them so that people know that they are yours.
Also look in newspapers some times there ads for people who collect this sort of stuff and also there maybe someone who actually works for the paper who could publish yr find---that way you may recieve a little bit of fame!!!!
Anyway I hope this helps.
Please email me if you need anymore help. I iwll get in contact with you if I spot anything of interest!
bananajam24@yahoo.co.uk
Hugs
Fizzy
2007-03-31 20:05:39 · answer #4 · answered by Fizz24 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try the Ministry of Defence Archives.
2007-04-02 15:52:51 · answer #5 · answered by artleyb 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here is the link for the Imperial War Museum and how to donate items
http://collections.iwm.org.uk/server/show/nav.00g00f
2007-03-30 14:06:44 · answer #6 · answered by piapoi 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋