Jim Stamatelos’ Friends Remember His Talents
By Kathryn Jorgensen

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Old friends are fondly remembering collector/dealer Jim Stamatelos who died June 14 after many years of illness. He and his brother Tony operated Sutler’s Wagon.

Mike McAfee said, “I knew Jim was truly knowledgeable because he did not always have an answer for every question. Unlike many collectors, Jim shared what he knew eagerly, whether through exhibits at shows, his artwork or in publications.

“I believe he understood that collecting without understanding and sharing was just accumulating,” said McAfee.

Obituary and funeral information were not available at presstime, but a quick Google search found some of the publications referred to by McAfee.

Stamatelos and Michael J. Winey wrote an article about the 15th Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry Regiment in Military Collector and Historian.  Stamatelos wrote about George Hobbs, “Civilian, Sutler, Patriot,” in North South Trader and he published a pamphlet about Civil War U.S. cavalry uniforms and equipment.

Civil War show attendees who didn’t know Stamatelos by name would remember his displays. He and Tony exhibited rare artifacts, professionally displayed, well identified and accompanied by a brochure.

Their displays reflected Stamatelos’ artistic talents as well as the depth of his collection and knowledge. It was a given that the exhibit would win a first-place award at the annual Gettysburg Collectors’ Show and others.

Mike Cunningham appreciated the help Stamatelos gave to younger collectors in the 60s, 70s and 80s.

“Jim had an exceptional talent for locating identified Federal artifacts, and his taste for items with excellent histories set the standard for the rest of us,” said Cunningham.

“Jim was also ahead of the curve in terms of showing an interest in rare Federal uniform and accoutrement items, ranging from Signal Corps gear to issue trousers. He also pioneered the exploration of under-studied branches of service, such as Marine and Navy items.”

Recalled Cunningham, “Talking to Jim was like taking a graduate seminar in Civil War artifacts. It is sad to know that he will never again be issuing his hand-drawn catalogs, or holding court at his table, clad in his famous blue sports coat.”

Dan (Henry) Deeks said Stamatelos “will be remembered as a decent guy who cared about Civil War materials beyond the individual item and its value. He contributed to my understanding the difference between a collection and an accumulation.”

He recalled Stamatelos forming collections within a collection. “One would sit with him in his home, as material flowed into his hands, and out, the nuggets remaining.”

Pete Jorgensen likewise spent time at the Stamatelos home “listening and learning about uniform details and unique items in his collections and often purchasing something that he had called me about because it related to Civil War artillery.”

Jorgensen said, “Whenever I needed an expert opinion about some artifact, a valuation or a verification, I'd go to Jim's table at a show or give him a call. He was always a remarkable source of information and always willing to share his knowledge or steer you in the right direction to find the information you sought.”