Help Requested With Identification

[Clayton]

Hello Gents:

Would someone be so kind to tell me what I have here? I think it is all early West German, but I am not certain.

Many thanks to all,

Clay

[Clayton]

Photographs

Photographs

[Proud Kraut]

What you have there? I would say, you hit the jackpot. What you have, is a set of incredible Labor Service/Civillian Support insignia. Some very rare pieces in the set. Early postwar German made. You'll find more informations (and some of your insignia) here:

http://www.usfava.com/LaborService/

Lars

[Clayton]

Another question

Many thanks for the information. What would this lot be worth in today's market?

Best regards to all,

Clay

[Gordon Craig]

Clay,

Very interesting insignia. We would all be interested in someones estimate of price on these badges.

Regards,

Gordon

[Clayton]

Request for information

Gents:

I have been collecting militaria for well over 50 years and seldom do I see something that is completely unknown to me. I recognized the West German national colored shield, Estonian and Polish national colored shields, etc. But I could not understand why these patches were in English. Well, with Lars pointing me in the right direction, I now have a rudimentary understanding of what these goods are.

My next problem is to find what they are worth. Of course I will sell them eventually at below the market price as I do all of the goods from my collection. But I was hoping someone could give me a realistic estimate of the value or give me the websites of dealers who specialize in this type of item.

It never ceases to amaze me the wealth of knowledge here on this forum. I truly enjoy being here with you folks.

Best regards to all,

Clay

[Marc Sherriff]

That is a wonderful collection. I have never seen any of these badges for sale on any website, although that does not mean they have never been sold just that I have never seen any. That also includes flea markets in Germany.

Marc

[Gordon Craig]

Clay,

Like Marc, I have never seen any of these badges for sale in any venue. The most knowledgable person on the forum in this area is Nico. Until recently, there was a museum devoted to this collecting area in the old McNare barracks. This is Nico's prime area of collecting interest and he was one of the prime supporters of this now closed museum. I am surprised Nico hasn't commented on these items by now. Nico is a militaria dealer and perhaps he is on the road at shows and will comment when he returns.

Regards,

Gordon

[uscob]

Gordon, you got it!!!
I'm still sitting in my Hotel in Kassel and go back to Berlin tomorrow. As the Online prepaid Account is nearly enpty I have to reply tomorrow.

[Clayton]

About value

Gents:

Could anyone give me an idea of the value of these goods?

Many thanks,

Clay

[Proud Kraut]

Gents:

Could anyone give me an idea of the value of these goods?

Many thanks,

Clay

Really imposible to say for the whole lot. Some very nice and rare insignia within the lot, some I have never seen before. Although some insignia seem to be badly moth damaged, some were bleached (blue to pink).
I have seen Labor Service insignia going for big money the last years. E.g. the Baltic badge, (second pic, center row, far right), was sold for US $ 565,00 in May 2011 (the metal variant with case).
I recommend to watch ebay or other online auctions for Labor Service insignia the next time, to get a feeling for LS insignia's general value. Hope this helps.

Lars

[Marc Sherriff]

Currently on ebay and the first one I have found, ever.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/U-S-AIR-FO...item19c951147b

Marc

[Gordon Craig]

Clay,

As Lars says, despite rarety, condition always enters into the value of an item.

Marc,

Thanks for listing that auction. Dispite the holes in the lower part of the badge, which should not be there, I believe the badge to be original. The maker "Carl Poelath Schrobenhausen" is a long time badge and awards maker who has been in business since the late 1880s. They supplied many of the badges used in the 1936 Olympics.

Regards,

Gordon

[speedytop]

Gordon:

"Dispite the holes in the lower part of the badge, which should not be there, ..."

The holes are correct, they are for more awards for longer service, the oak leafs.

Uwe

[Gordon Craig]

Uwe,

Thanks for the info. Nice to know. I tried to look at the LLSU web site last night for reference but it was down.

Regards,

Gordon