MAXimum Show Time 2011

By Peter Suciu 

Despite gray skies and weather that truly suggested that summer was in the past the MAX (Military Antiques Xtravaganza) show shined for another year at the Monroeville Convention Center, just outside of Pittsburgh, PA. This annual last fall classic remains one of the biggest shows of the year, and continued to attract collectors from around the world.

In fact, this year the point was brought home as the National Geographic Channel was on hand to film the purchases of Christian and Alex Cranmer of International Military Antiques, who also brought out some heavy firepower to display.

“It has been a good show for us,” said Alex Cranmer, who noted that he and his father, company founder Christian Cranmer were in full buying mode.

Stand out items included a collection of beer steins from Steve Donohue, who noted that visitors could always toast their purchases! Try that with a helmet with uniform! Also on display was a uniform owned by Ulrich Friedrich Wilhelm Joachim von Ribbentrop, the champagne importer and former figure skater turned German Foreign Minister under the Nazi regime.

The tunic was one of several standout items for sale from Craig Gottlieb Militaria, with Craig Gottlieb noting that this year’s show was as good as ever. “What can I say,” said Gottlieb, “it’s the MAX!”

The fall rains didn’t dampen spirits, and even with the lackluster economy still a concern, many collectors were in a buying mood. This year’s MAX Show featured a true gamut of collectibles for sale, with items from the American Civil War to the modern day for sale, and with IMA and company rolling in some fairly heavy artillery this year’s MAX presented quite a bang!