Different sources in the same general category tend to cover the material from different perspectives. To say that one is better than another is unfair. These books may not be at your local library, but may be available on interlibrary loan. The more modern works generally correct errors and deficiencies of the earlier ones.
Civil War Plates make an attactive display. In additon to the common U.S. Army regulation plates there are rarer state and C.S.A. plates.
A third generation well-illustrated resentation
The original work on buckles which set a high standard for those that followed
Good second generation book with a balance of text and quality photographs that allow identification of plates
Collecting buttons is a highly specialized area within Civil War collecting. It calls for a person with the mentality of a stamp or coin collector. Many period buttons are the products of true craftmen and must be admired for their beauty.
The second generation button book with superior photography and data if not attention to dating methods
An important supplement providing superior data on Civil War buttons
The original catalog of military buttons, which paid little attention to date of manufacture
A small volume that revolutionized the study of military buttons allowing for the first time buttons to be acurately dated.
A 3rd generation button book written by someone with the mentality of a historian and with excellent photographs and explanatory text
Excavated artifacts provide clues to what Civil War soldiers were wearing and using in the field. Metallic items have survived and are discovered with metal detectors.
A second generation book on excavated artifacts with great photographs of a large number of both common and uncommon items with explanatory text
A tour of the Civil War in the western theater of operations as seen through its relics. A well done book and an interesting concept.
The classic in the field and still very useful with a large number of photographs of recovered items of all types
These books combine material on multiple categories of artifacts. In some cases they were limited to a partical branch of service.
A good series with an interesting general text, uniform plates, period photographs and photographs of artifacts, but the photographic format used was better suited for larger items, the details of smaller pieces are lost and technical aspects of artifacts are not discussed
A inexpensive and very good overview of different categories of typical Civil War uniforms, insignia, and equipage, illustrated with original not reproduction items. The title is somewhat misleading. The book is not set up as an encyclopedia in the usual meaning of the word. It also would be of interest to people other than reenactors. Much of the material is new, but many of the illustrations also appear in earlier publications.
The best color photographic study of original uniforms to date
A 517-page guide to Civil War collectibles, listing prices. The prices are the asking price of individual sellers. It is unfortunate that a few fakes have burrowed into what is otherwise a very well done and comprehensive publication.
The best known work on Civil War collectibles-The first two original volumes have the most text and the remaining ones are a photo study
Now at 276 pages the price guide has evolved into a reference book in its own right. The prices listed are an average selling price as seen at various shows, etc.
An unbelievably detailed study of the uniform and equipage of cavalrymen
An overview of how the hobby of collecting Civil War relics came to be with a good balance of text and photographs (a good read even)
One of those books that is so well done it leaves you wanting more. It has a nice balance of prints, text and well-done photographs of representative artifacts but lacks an index or citation of sources
Good studies of medicial equipment and instruments with additional material on uniforms, insignia, etc.
Very detailed, useful and a standard for sholarship
Not only the usual great photography, so characteristic of Schiffer publications, but also uncharacteristically for Schiffer publications a detailed text with sources cited.
Insignia remain a neglected area within the field of Civil War artifacts.
Although stopping short of the Civil War, this book does include good photographs of insignia that were introduced in 1851 and still in use during the Civil War
Long a negected topic, it is now well covered by this book. It has a good balance of text and photograph.
An authoritative classification and overview of the history of chevrons, which includes some discussion of those of the Civil War
Although nearly lost in the mass of information regarding 20th Century uniforms and insignia those of the Civil War are well covered and photo illustrated
A very well done study with a large number of examples that has long been a personal favorite of mine.
The story of those who originally made and marketed military items is key to a sophisticated appreciation of the history of the items themselves.
A great resource giving the backgrounds of the original companies selling military items
A nice piece of original research regarding a leading firm of the Civil War years.
An example of a period catalog
A book of many lists, much background information, fair number of photographs
A nice overview of all American swords. The book is easier to use than Peterson and the illustrations show the entire blade.
Great photography of a huge sword collection, but very little background information about swords in general
Long considered the classic sword reference with good text, but photos of hilts only
The follow up study to the 2001 book on Cavalry and Artillery. It has 624 information packed pages with great photographs. It is a must have for a sword collector.
This is book that will not disappoint the hardcore student of swords. There is a wealth of information and great illustrations packed in its 519 pages.
Uniforms can be approached from many different perspectives. Many authors take a basically macroscopic visual approach suited for the military modeler or illustrator. Others take a more historical and microscopic approach better suited for the collector. The sources cited below are but a sample of those available.
This book is a feast for the eyes, both the Troiani prints and the selected artifacts. It is similar in style to and includes some of the material from the earlier work, Soldiers in America, but this book is just Civil War material. It does not try to be a comprehensive source on all the regiments in the fashion of Todd's American Military Equipage, but covers selected units with interesting dress or history.
A nice collection of Civil War uniform plates with explanatory text
This book is a slightly revised and combined edition of prior volumes in Brassey's History of Uniforms series. It combines two 1996 works by Robin Smith on Union uniforms and by Ron Field on Confederate uniforms. There are many great period photographs and also a number of artifact groups and individual artifacts pictured, but not as many of them as in other available books.
This book includes a large number of plates of Civil War uniform with text.
A good overview with Katcher's plates, period photographs and some artifacts
A authoriative study of the uniforms appearing in 170 period photographs.
A comprehensive, very high quality book with a good balance betweem image and text that clearly sets a new standard of excellence in the field
A nice overview of Civil War uniforms intergreting material from a wide variety of sources that after nearly 30 years has not been superceeded
A well done study of the uniforms of Civil War Zouaves written by the leading authority on Zouave uniforms
A detailed study of uniforms documented to have been worn at Gettysburg
I have negected those areas of Civil War collecting, such as firearms, accoutrements and projectiles, which are not directly addressed in the regulations governing uniforms. If I have omitted any other important sources please feel free to E-mail with suggestions for inclusion.