Every Artifact Has a Story
Historical artifacts sometimes spend decades tucked away in garages, workshops, storage rooms, family collections, and old boxes—often with a story known only to the person who preserved them.
Aces In Action is interested in select artifacts and collections connected to aviation, military history, maritime history, transportation, spaceflight, and other historically significant people, machines, and events.
Whether you're looking to sell an individual artifact, discuss a larger collection, trade material, or simply determine whether something may be of interest, we'd be glad to hear its story.
Historical Material of Many Kinds
AIRCRAFT & AVIATION
Aircraft skin, components, instruments, identification plates, control surfaces, propeller material, restoration remnants, and other documented aviation artifacts.
SHIPS, VEHICLES & OTHER ARTIFACTS
Material and components connected to historically significant ships, armored vehicles, military vehicles, transportation, and other machines. Larger collections, veteran-associated material, space and exploration artifacts, historically significant civilian material, and unusual pieces.
DOCUMENTS & PROVENANCE
Logbooks, original photographs, records, tags, letters, restoration documentation, and other material that helps establish an artifact's identity and history.
Not sure if your item fits? Send us a photograph. We'd rather take a look than have you guess.
The History Matters to Us
Craig's work begins with understanding the history behind an artifact—not simply acquiring the object itself.
Material acquired by Aces In Action may become part of historical research, an artwork or relic edition, a museum or institutional project, an educational display, or the Workshop Archive.
Whenever documentation or a known history accompanies an artifact, we want that information too. Names, dates, aircraft identities, locations, photographs, restoration records, and even family recollections can help preserve context that might otherwise disappear.
Sometimes the story that accompanies an artifact is every bit as important as the artifact itself.
THE PROCESS - SHARE THE DETAILS
01 · SHARE
Tell Us What You Have
If it's something we can use, we'll contact you to discuss the artifact, additional information we may need, and whether a purchase, trade, donation, or another arrangement makes sense.
02 · REVIEW
We'll Take a Look
Craig reviews the material and its potential historical relevance to determine whether it may be a fit for Aces In Action.
03 · DISCUSS
The Artifact Is Prepared
If we're interested, we'll contact you to discuss the artifact, additional information we may need, and whether a purchase, trade, donation, or another arrangement makes sense.
04 · PRESERVE
The History Moves Forward
When material joins the Aces In Action archive, the information accompanying it is preserved whenever possible so its story remains connected to the artifact.
Have Material With a Story to Tell?
Not every conversation begins with someone wanting to sell an artifact.
Aces In Action also works with museums, restoration organizations, veterans' groups, historical organizations, families, and collectors who have material they would like to see preserved or used to help tell a larger story.
If you represent an organization—or have an artifact connected to a person, aircraft, ship, vehicle, or historical event you believe deserves greater attention—we'd be interested in hearing about it.
Some of Craig's most meaningful projects have started with a simple conversation about a piece of history someone believed should not be forgotten.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you buy individual artifacts?
Yes. We consider both individual artifacts and larger collections. Whether we're interested depends on the item's history, condition, provenance, and relevance to current or future Aces In Action projects.
Do you purchase entire collections?
Potentially. Send us an overview and several representative photographs rather than photographing every item individually to start.
Do I need to know exactly what I have?
No. Share what you know and provide clear photographs, including any markings, identification plates, numbers, tags, or documentation. We may be able to help determine whether the item warrants further research.
Is provenance important?
Very. Any information connecting an artifact to its history can be valuable. Photographs, records, veteran information, restoration documents, previous ownership, identification numbers, and even the story of how the artifact was acquired can provide important context.
We represent each relic according to its documented history and never imply combat, military service, or a particular historical connection that the artifact's provenance does not support.
Will you appraise my collection?
Aces In Action does not provide formal appraisal services through this inquiry process. We can evaluate whether material is of interest to us and, when appropriate, discuss a potential purchase or trade.
What shouldn't I send?
Please don't ship or deliver artifacts without speaking with us first. Start with photographs and information using the form below.
Tell Us What You Have
Send us a brief description of the artifact or collection, what you know about its history, and your contact information. Photographs are extremely helpful when available. Feel free to send photos to info@acesinaction.com