Collectors to Display Ronald Reagan Memorabilia in Orland Park

Political items collectors from throughout the Midwest will converge on the Orland Park Civic Center for the spring meeting of the Chicagoland American Political Items Collectors' Show on Sunday, May 4, from noon to 3 p.m.

"We are very excited to bring this show to Orland Park," said Mayor Dan McLaughlin, an avid political history collector. "This is a great opportunity for anyone who enjoys political history to see some amazing collections," McLaughlin said.

The Chicagoland American Political Items Collectors (CAPIC) is a subgroup of the national American Political Items Collectors which first formed in the 1940s and re-organized in 1960. CAPIC formed in the 1960s and met in Chicago until the mid 1970s.

Randy Kopp serves as the Chicagoland group's president.

"We are very appreciative to Mayor McLaughlin for all of his help with bringing the show to Orland Park and for arranging for Chief McCarthy to be a part of the event," Kopp said.

Members and guests are encouraged to bring Ronald Reagan items to display, sell or trade. Orland Park Police Chief Tim McCarthy will be the group's special guest on May 4. McCarthy was a secret service agent and was wounded during the March 30, 1981 assassination attempt on President Reagan.

Past President Duane Ross joined the group in the early 70s.

"Those were the days before Ebay and collectors were still finding good items in antique shops, flea markets and garage and estate sales," Ross said, noting there were few books available to tell the value of political memorabilia.

The group cites among its early members the best FDR collector in the world, an Admiral Dewey specialist and a Chicago mayors specialist.

"Joe Brown, from Milwaukee, often attended the meetings in Chicago," Ross remembered. "He was a true pioneer and at one time owned one of the greatest collections dating back to George Washington," Ross said.

The May 4 gathering at the Orland Park Civic Center will be collectors' first gathering in the southwest suburbs.

"This event promises to be a great afternoon for anyone who enjoys political memorabilia," McLaughlin said. "We invite everyone to come to the Civic Center to learn more about CAPIC and to see some amazing pieces that helped shape our country's political history," he said.

Collectors may rent tables for $10 each and admission and parking are free. Information about the show is available by emailing Dottie at ddpCAPIC@aol.com or calling Randy Kopp at 630.897.0434.