Coincidence or Providence: Impossible Stories of Civil War Collecting
The concepts of Coincidence and Providence are pretty much opposites. The former asserts uncontrolled randomness, while the latter contends there is some kind of plan. One says you beat the mathematical odds, and the other says you just didn’t see the formula. Join us, and hear Earl Robinson’s tall tales of Civil War collecting that you may find unbelievable…but they are true. Program Chair’s note: The beautiful Confederate Officer’s coat, shown on the left, is an example of an artifact that Earl is willing to sell (not good enough for his collection?) and it can be yours, for just $48,000!

Earl Robinson

Earl’s Civil War memories go back to visiting “John Brown’s lookout” and celebrating the War’s centennial as a boy. He is a founding member of the West Coast Civil War Collectors, owner of Reunion Civil War Antiques, and a regular exhibitor of original artifacts at national Civil War shows. Earl has authored articles in “North South Trader’s Civil War and Military Images” magazine, and he has spoken to Civil War Round Tables throughout Southern California. In addition, Earl is a member of the Board of Directors, for the Garrison and Society, of the Drum Barracks Civil War Museum. His wife, Cathy, is a Virginian, whose great-grandfather was General George Pickett’s orderly. In his other life, Earl is the co-founder, and President, of the Omnica Corporation, one of the premier medical product design, engineering, and development firms on the West Coast.