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Article updated: 2/3/2013 4:58 PM

Hawthorn Woods man preserving history

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This rare USO photograph of Hollywood legends Ingrid Bergman and Jack Benny rummaging through Adolf Hitler's vacation home is part of Jim Dryden's World War II collection.

Bob Chwedyk | Staff Photographer

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Patches on this uniform worn by a German doctor during World War II include the medical caduceus with snakes entwining a winged staff as well as the Nazi swastika. Collector Jim Dryden of Hawthorn Woods has amassed an extensive collection of war souvenirs.

Bob Chwedyk | Staff Photographer

This German paratrooper helmet and Nazi desk ornament are among the war souvenirs collected by Jim Dryden of Hawthorn Woods.

Bob Chwedyk | Staff Photographer

One of the rarest war souvenirs in Dryden's collection is the gold, platinum and diamond medal Adolf Hitler awarded to Willy Messerschmitt, who designed the fighter planes used by Germany during World War II.

Courtesy of Jim Dryden

The war souvenir collection of Jim Dryden includes this silverware once owned by Adolf Hitler. Dryden's son, David, now is a college student.

Courtesy of Jim Dryden

Among the unusual items Jim Dryden has in his collection of World War II souvenirs is this parade banner flagpole topping featuring a swastika.

Courtesy of Jim Dryden

Collecting mostly World War II souvenirs, Jim Dryden of Hawthorn Woods makes room for this 500-year-old wakizashi, a Japanese samurai sword.

Bob Chwedyk | Staff Photographer

About this Article

Jim Dryden was a boy when he received a Japanese sword his uncle brought back from World War II. Now nearing retirement, the Hawthorn Woods man has ammassed a collection or more than 100,000 war items and hopes to open a museum. “It's a hobby,” observes the reserved Dryden, who lives in Hawthorn Woods and makes his living as a financial services consultant and partner in collection agencies.