Proposed Book from Bender Publishing on Imperial Aviation Badges

[Yuri D.]

Gentlemen,

Roger Bender is considering doing a book on Imperial Aviation badges. This would be the most comprehensive book ever done on the subject. I have discovered one of the largest collections of Imperial aviation badges out there. I will be photographing this collection, measuring and weighing it for this book. I will also include badges submitted to me by forum members in the book. I am extremely excited about this project because a well done research piece does not exist at this time for the subject.

I have a few questions for all of you:

1. Approximately, how many Imperial aviation militaria collectors are out there (compared to 3rd Reich collectors).

2. How much would you be willing to pay for an excellent-quality, well-researched, hard cover and full color book devoted ONLY to Imperial aviation badges. This book would be geared for the collector in mind.

I am asking these questions because, I would probably be writing this book and we need to get a rough estimate on the demand such a book will have.

Thank you,

Yuri

[Erich B.]

Imperial Aviation badge book

I'd buy it, and can provide some photos and documents for it.
I would pay whatever it sells for--ask Roger!
Erich

[Rick Research]

There has NEVER been such a book, so there would be a demand for one.

There are also enormous pitfalls, as perusing some of the threads here will show, because there a zillions of fakes and a "Tucker book" on Imperial neither here nor theres would be quite... unpleasant. Just bring up our Recent Adventures in Poellath versus Pöllath badges, or the Juncker "crown AND moon" problems.

I know enough of the "Top Imperial Guys" for them to know who your main source is... drop me a PM with the name and I will see what his rep is with them. Such matters ARE important BEFORE rather than Too Late, God forbid.

[Mike Kenny]

Hi Yuri,

I'd certainly be interested in the book but I echo Rick's points about contentious badges! There is too much here-say regarding the Imperial Flight Badges. Some are relatively well known but others are virtually unknown.

What I'd really like to see in such a book is a comment about provenance - not who owns the badge not, but how far back it's history can be traced. For Third Reich references, this isn't such a big deal as items are generally better documented these days but Imperial items, 80+ years after the fact, is a different story. To be a ground-breaking reference, it needs to be very credible imo. This is a big ask but it will at least help the reader determine how much value/integrity a particular badge has. For example, I'm going to put more faith in a grey area badge if it has been in a clooection since 1950 as opposed to being purchased at Manion's last year.

Regards
Mike K

[Tiger 1]

Hello Yuri,

Count me in for two! I also have a Prussian pilot's badge that I would like to submit photos of.

Good luck!

[Johnny d]

I would buy such a book. The price range would depend on quality,picture quality amd format. A good book of 200 or so pages with 150-200 photos some or all in color with good descriptions would fetch between $60.00 and $90.00 I would think. I have a few badges some with expertise from Detlev. Let me know if you need them. JdL

[Yuri D.]

Thank you for the very positive response. My next step is to start with photographing this massive collection. This will be the nucleus of my research project and once I have the photos, I will show them on the forum for confirmation.

Yuri