The Washington Post did a nice article on my collection for their July 4 edition. Here's the text. If you use the link below you can see the video that accompanied the on-line article but you may need to register with the Post (free, of course.)

Howard County man owns 800 U.S. flags, thousands of pieces of memorabilia

By Stephanie Lee
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, July 4, 2010; C01

It's a given that Nick Artimovich will display an American flag outside his home on the Fourth of July. The only question is: Which one?

Artimovich, 56, has collected upward of 800 U.S. flags and thousands of flag-inspired memorabilia since the 1970s. When not at his day job -- highway engineer for the U.S. Transportation Department -- he is a vexillologist, devoting himself to the study of flags. He takes this time of year more seriously than most.

"It's time to celebrate our nation's history," he said. "We've had over 235 years as a country, and we've had a lot of changes in those years. And my interest in preserving these artifacts is a way of helping key my interest in American history to things that were actually produced back in the good old days."

Artimovich, who lives in Columbia, rattles off flag characteristics with the authority and fervor that others impart baseball statistics. Peering through wire-rimmed glasses, he unfurls a vivid flag from the 1870s on which stars are grouped into a larger star. Manufacturers arranged them however they pleased until 1912, when the orderly rows of today's flag became standard.

A novelty flag mixes the banners of the United States, Britain and France -- Allied forces in World War I -- into a kaleidoscope of red, white and blue.

Another, with 38 stars honoring Colorado's statehood, was won along with dozens of others at what he considers a particularly lucky auction. "I won't say I drooled," Artimovich says, "because that would cause running and fading of colors."

The oldest flag in his possession is a 28-star banner from the 1840s, its stripes now muted shades of salmon and gray. The biggest: a yacht flag measuring 15-by-23 feet. The most expensive: a Lincoln campaign flag, bought for $2,000 (and later sold for $12,000).

In all, Artimovich has spent an estimated $75,000 on his collection, which also includes stars and stripes emblazoned on pins, patches, bookmarks, fans, card games, "Star-Spangled Banner" sheet music, cigars, illustrations, ribbons, soldier figurines, valentines and postcards.

There are more than a thousand books on flag history, all shelved according to height. Civil War-era advertisements invoke Old Glory to promote Betsy Ross-brand shoes, Wrigley's gum, a German shipping company, a Japanese silk manufacturer, a rowing club, bone fertilizer, a printing press and a piano store.

"There are so many ways you can collect flag antiques. You just have to look for them," Artimovich says. "It sounds like a very narrow theme, but the variety you find is just amazing."

Born in North Andover, Mass., Artimovich grew up touring Lexington, Plymouth, Cape Cod and other historical sites. He fell into collecting at an early age, starting with stamps and coins. But his interest in flags was sparked in high school when a teacher gave him a 48-star flag he'd been eyeing.

It began a lifetime of hunting through antique shops, auctions and online retailers such as eBay. These days, Artimovich is cataloguing his collection -- stored in acid-free folders and a climate-controlled basement -- with the picture-sharing Web site Flickr.

But he hardly needs help recalling presidential campaigns because the flags reflect virtually every major event in American history. They, in turn, weave together Artimovich's personal history.

"I like collecting things because tangible artifacts help me remember the history of the situation," he says. "Just to read it in a book, it wouldn't stick with me."

Disseminating knowledge and dismantling myths are among his greatest pleasures. The red, white and blue, for instance, were taken from the flag of England. And Betsy Ross? She was a seamstress, but "as for her making the first stars and stripes under the command of George Washington," Artimovich says that's a family legend.

Artimovich belongs to, and once oversaw, the North American Vexillological Association, comprising 400 flag-lovers. With them, he launched a scholarly journal and once gave the Secret Service a tour of the White House's seals and flags.

Many of the association's members, like Artimovich, are collectors, says Peter Ansoff, a former president. Others lean toward research. Still others are what Ansoff calls "evangelists," dedicated to encouraging flag usage and designing new flags.

For Artimovich, collecting is synonymous with patriotism. This Fourth of July marks the 50th anniversary of the 50th star -- Hawaii's -- and he has requested that Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin (D-Md.) raise two flags in its honor.

On Sunday, he plans to watch the fireworks. But before that, he will take part in a special tradition -- his neighborhood's annual parade, complete with children and bicycles. Artimovich and his son will march through the quiet street, waving and hoisting a familiar banner for all to see. Thirteen stripes, alternating red and white. Fifty stars.

"It's great to be part of the neighborhood," he says. "Not only the neighborhood of Orchard Hills, but the neighborhood of the United States."