Specialization Suggested in Digging Up Canal History

Question: I have several old post cards and other memorabilia related to the building of America’s historic canals. Is there much collectible interest in these items?--G.B.

Answer: Yes, there are a number of collectors who specialize in canal memorabilia. They generally recommend specializing in the canals of one state or, indeed, concentrating on one canal.

This is an area where new collectors should be wary, because a number of counterfeit items--such as stock certificates and tools--supposedly associated with the construction of canals have turned up.

The history of the American canal system has its roots in the 18th and 19th centuries with the construction of the Potomac, Erie and Champlain canals. High maintenance costs and hard economic times closed many of them, although a number continued operating until this century.

Canal items, such as post cards with photos showing canal operations, have sold for $3 and more. Canal books have sold in excess of $300. Colorful broadsides have carried price tags of several hundreds of dollars. Other collector items of interest have included pins, correspondence associated with a particular canal’s history, shaving mugs and china.

Mailbag

Regarding our recent column on collecting the American flag, Phyllis (Tiny) Carter, who calls herself “the flag lady of Leisure World,” says she is willing to share information she has gathered over the years about the flag with other collectors. Readers should write to her at 2011-A Via Mariposa West, Laguna Hills, Calif. 92653.

Carter says a top authority on the American flag is Dr. Whitney Smith of the Flag Research Center, 3 Edgehill Road, Winchester, Mass. 01890. “Dr. Smith is a top recognized authority internationally, and should be consulted only as a ‘court of last resort,’ ” she says.

Referring to our mention of the “Grand Union” flag, she writes: “The so-called ‘Grand Union’ is a mispronunciation of the correct name, ‘Great Union’ flag, so-called by Gen. (George) Washington when it was raised over his Cambridge headquarters in honor of the United Colonies. No relic flag has survived.”