It is a known and proven formula that awaits the general public. “Mado gave us all his know-how and contacts, we just had to”, explains Jean Guinot, the president of ARTS. They are therefore about twenty volunteers who will be on deck to welcome the 40 exhibitors who come from all over France to present military antiques, old weapons, objects around hunting, edged weapons, uniforms, badges, books, historical souvenirs, collections, etc. . and to run the bar. It will offer drinks, sandwiches and pancakes from 8:30am to 5pm.
The Militaria Scholarship was established in the early 2000s.
Renaud Joubert photographic archive
600 visitors expected
The organizers have been working hard for several months: “We contacted the exhibitors, prepared the communication in particular on all the specialized magazines and one of our volunteers, Jean-Noël Poincet, distributed flyers on Militaria scholarships in the region”, says Yves Faure-Brac, while the association also sees it as a way to consolidate its finances. While most of the former exhibitors are returning, ARTS had to find new ones to be able to present 240 linear meters of material. New this year, visitors will be able to purchase an electronic ticket online or on their smartphone thanks to the helloasso.com website, which entitles them to a 50 cent discount (€2.50 instead of €3).
Collectors come from afar to find the rare piece, advice or professional estimates.
“We expect 600 visitors”specify the organizers who even hope to exceed this number. “Collectors come from afar to find rare pieces, get advice or estimates from professionals or even discover a region”underlines Jean-Noël Poincet, himself looking for “bulldog or velodog”, “those little revolvers loaded with shot and peppercorns that cyclists at the end of the 19th centuryAnd century used to ward off dogs. An appointment all the more popular as it arrives very early in the year. Mado Portejoie recalls its genesis: “I have always been surrounded by hunters in the family, including my husband Michel, it made me want to organize this scholarship”.
(1) Bourse Militaria, Sunday 29 January from 8:30 to 17:00, in the Louis-Petit room in Ruffec. Price €3 (€2.50 with an electronic ticket) and free for children under 16.