In this issue we’ve delved into Thaddeus Lowe's Civil War ballooning exploits, which in many parts of the country is his only known claim to fame. The Civil War is a fascinating part of our American History and Lowe played an amazing part in it.

For a Lowe collector this is an area that often produces items out of the average person’s pocket range of affordability. There are however items that are affordable and will add nicely to your collection.

There are three books that I know of you can purchase at rare bookstores, ABE internet service, and some times at railroad shows.

Thaddeus Lowe Americas One-Man Air Corps, By Mary Hoehling was published by Kingston House in 1958. This book typically sells in rare bookstores for $15 – 35.00 depending on condition. However, if you keep a watchful eye out on the Internet you can pick up a good reading copy of this book for around $10.00.

Thaddeus Lowe Uncle Sam’s First Airman, By Lydel Sims was published by G. P. Putnam’s Sons in 1964. This book of Lowe’s exploits is not as well known and In six years I’ve only seen the one copy I bought for myself. The edition I purchased was minus a dust jacket and was a library book at one time devaluing it a great deal. I paid $12.00 for this one after shipping. This book should sell in the $10. –18.00 range.

Above the Civil War, the story of Thaddeus Lowe Balloonist, Inventor, Railway Builder, By Eugene B. Block. This Lowe book was published by Howell – North Books in 1966. This is the best of the three presenting the subject matter in a more mature fashion and offering a great deal of photos. I highly recommend this book if you can find it at a reasonable price. I have bought three copies, the best of which I kept for myself. I paid $25, $27, and $32.00 and from what I’ve seen lately they were cheap. I was recently offered a copy at $75.00!

Old Harper’s Magazines of the Civil War era carry beautiful engravings depicting Lowe’s service to the war. At a recent antique swap meet, I picked up an interesting old paper cover book called A History of the Civil War, by Benson J. Lossing and illustrated with Brady War Photographs. It had a 1895 copyright on lower part of the front cover and it was $5.00. I bought it as it was and looked at it later and to my surprise were three pictures of Lowe’s balloons and gas making devises.

AMT Models came out with a model #T571, INTREPID CIVIL WAR BALLOON, AERIAL RECONNAISSANCE PIONEER. I’m not sure what these go for as the only one I’ve seen was a present to me from a good friend. I have check on the internet and there are people who run into them from time to time.

Other items to whet your appetite are signed documents, balloon anchors, riding crops, Lowe’s sword and how about a coin issued in 1971 by Jefferson, New Hampshire for their 175^th Anniversary depicting on one side their hometown hero Thaddeus Lowe ballooning above a Civil War scene.