He Spent US$250,000 Collecting WWII Uniforms, Military Memorabilia For His Home Museum | Hobsessions

Military Memorabilia & Antiquarian Bookbinding: A Collector's Passion & Craftsmanship

Key Concepts:

• Military Memorabilia Collection: The focused gathering of artifacts related to military history, encompassing uniforms, equipment, medals, and props.
• Authenticity & Preservation: The importance of original items and maintaining their historical integrity.
• Antiquarian Bookbinding: The art and craft of binding books in historical styles, including repair and restoration.
• Gothic Binding & Hollow Back Binding: Specific historical bookbinding techniques with distinct structural characteristics.
• Legacy & Preservation of Knowledge: The motivation behind both collecting and bookbinding – ensuring historical items endure for future generations.

I. Elvin Lee's Military Collection: A Tangible Connection to History

Elvin Lee, a Singaporean collector, has amassed a substantial collection of military memorabilia over the past 30 years, with approximately 70% of his items having been directly used by soldiers. He views collecting not as acquiring possessions, but as honoring the individuals connected to these artifacts. He states, “having something that they previously own… is a way to honor them.” He emphasizes the “alive” feeling these objects possess, offering insights beyond what history books can provide – including smells, scents, and even a sense of the past.

A. Collection Highlights:

• B-25 Bomber Cockpit Mockup: Originally used in a documentary about Captain Hingto, a Singapore WWII pilot, Lee rescued the mockup from disposal, recognizing its historical value.
• WWII German Uniform: A wool uniform complete with ammo pouches and shoulder straps, representing a military police officer.
• British Battle Dress: Belonging to a Second Lieutenant of the Royal Artillery, acquired for approximately $200, considered a worthwhile investment due to its authenticity.
• First Singapore Armed Forces Camouflage Helmet Cover: A particularly rare item, sought after for 20 years before acquisition, representing the earliest camouflage used by the Singapore army.
• Medals & Insignia: Displayed in jeweler showcases, including both replica and original pieces.
• Movie Props: A cabinet containing uniforms and equipment used in a documentary about Singaporean national servicemen in the 1960s, preserved within the original era’s cabinetry for authenticity.
• British Paratroopers Bicycle: A gift from his wife, Michelle, used by airborne troopers during WWII, folded for jumping and then unfolded for battle.

B. Display & Public Engagement:

Lee strategically displays his collection, utilizing his interior designer’s suggestions to create a visually impactful presentation for guests. He has showcased his collection at the Navy Museum multiple times. He actively shares his passion with the public, describing himself as someone who “loves to talk” and wants to provide “in-depth stuff” for appreciation. He clarifies he is not a “Karanguni” (second-hand dealer) but a passionate collector. He assisted in providing historical and uniform consultation for two movies, demonstrating his expertise.

C. Future Legacy:

Recognizing the need for preservation beyond his lifetime, Lee is considering taking on apprentices to continue his collecting legacy, ensuring the items remain cared for and appreciated. He views the artifacts as representing “my blood and energy.”

II. Lman's Antiquarian Bookbinding: Preserving Knowledge Through Craft

Lman, a part-time conservator and restorer, specializes in antiquarian bookbinding – reproducing and repairing books using pre-20th-century techniques. He emphasizes the importance of preserving knowledge and creating books “made to last.”

A. Binding Styles & Techniques:

• Cloth Buckram Binding: A common style from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
• Half Leather Binding: A more elaborate style, requiring approximately a month to complete. He showcased a 1710 Salmon Botonologia (a book on English herbs) bound in a Georgian style.
• 16th Century Gothic Binding: Demonstrated in the video, involving creating signatures (groups of folded sheets), marking sewing stations, and hand-sewing the book. He utilizes a self-designed sewing frame to expedite the process.
• Hollow Back Binding: A flexible spine binding style, contrasting with stiffer spine bindings. The choice of binding depends on the paper thickness and desired structure.
• Packed Sewing: A technique used to create a stiffer spine.

B. Paper Aging & Materials:

Lman employs his own recipe for aging paper, avoiding acidic materials. He explains that different binders use various methods, including walnut ink, tea, or coffee.

C. Origins & Motivation:

Lman’s passion began with a childhood fascination sparked by a scene in Disney’s Snow White featuring spell books. He initially worked part-time sweeping floors at a bookbinding shop, gaining observational experience. He believes bookbinding is “an aesthetic preservation of knowledge” and that the books he works on will “outlast me,” representing his legacy.

D. Recognition & Importance:

A colleague notes Lman is “keeping alive an art form that was almost extinct in KL” and fills a crucial gap in the Malaysian book collecting scene. He is sought after for repairs, even for books considered beyond saving by others, as he can restore their structural integrity.

III. Connecting the Threads: Shared Values of Preservation & Legacy

Both Elvin Lee and Lman share a deep commitment to preserving the past and ensuring its accessibility for future generations. Lee’s collection provides tangible connections to military history, while Lman’s craft safeguards knowledge through the art of bookbinding. Both recognize the importance of authenticity and the value of items beyond their monetary worth. Lee’s desire to find apprentices and Lman’s belief that his work will “outlast me” underscore their shared goal of creating a lasting legacy. The video highlights how individual passions can contribute to the broader preservation of cultural heritage.

Notable Quotes:

• Elvin Lee: “Having something that they previously own… is a way to honor them.”
• Lman: “Bookbinding, it's not just an art, it's a craft, but yeah, it's an aesthetic preservation of knowledge.”

Technical Terms:

• Mockup: A replica or model used for demonstration or testing.
• Signatures: Groups of folded sheets used in bookbinding.
• Buckram: A stiff cotton fabric used for book covers.
• Sewing Supports/Stations: Points on the spine where the book is sewn together.
• Throw Up: The structure of the spine in a bookbinding.
• Karanguni: (Singaporean slang) A second-hand dealer.
• Gothic Binding: A historical bookbinding style characterized by a specific structure and aesthetic.
• Hollow Back Binding: A flexible spine binding style.
• Packed Sewing: A technique used to create a stiffer spine in bookbinding.

Data/Statistics:

• Elvin Lee’s collection is approximately 70% comprised of items used by soldiers.
• He acquired a British Battle Dress for around $200.
• He searched for the first Singapore Armed Forces camouflage helmet cover for 20 years before acquiring it.
• Lman’s half leather binding took approximately one month to complete.