About me

Hi there, welcome to my website!

I’m the little guy on the right in this photo. Well, I was. It was taken in 1953, so I’m a bit older now 😉. That’s me sitting on a train next to my brother, reading a freshly issued Donald Duck. We grew up in The Hague, just behind the infamous prison where the Germans had once held members of the local resistance. Our family home stood nestled behind the dunes of the North Sea.

As kids, we played outside in those dunes — the same dunes where, just years earlier, the Germans had built their military defense line. The area was still scattered with remnants of war: helmets, grenades, uniforms, cutlery, and other items left behind. I even remember throwing rocks at a sea mine that had washed ashore, until the local police rushed in and pulled us away — likely saving our lives. We spent our childhood exploring bunkers, without television, internet, or mobile phones.

That experience shaped my life. I began collecting original items from the Second World War, driven by a deep need to understand what had happened just before I was born. The war’s shadow was everywhere.

Fast forward 60 years. I’ve spent a lifetime collecting and learning. Every item revealed a new piece of history. I’ve spoken to people who lived through the war — on both sides — and listened to their stories.

Now, the time has come to sell my collection and recover my investment. This isn’t a permanent shop — it’s a personal archive that’s slowly finding new homes. While it lasts, I invite you to browse through my collection and perhaps complete your own. Many of these items are truly unique, acquired through decades of dedication.

If you’re looking for something specific, feel free to reach out. I’d love to help.

* I would like to emphasize that I have no affinity for National Socialism or other extremist political ideologies in any way *

contact@originalww2collectibles.com
Amsterdam, the Netherlands