1870 EK oakleaves

[Tim Tezer]

In the Reference Books forum, there was some discussion about questionable items being pictured in Steven Previtera's "The Iron Time" book about the Iron Cross. Following my post in that forum, here is an open question:

I have seen an unusually large number of 25 year oakleaves to the 1870 EK2 that are distinctive because the numerals are stubby and kind of shapeless. I began to suspect these may have been fakes, and made a point of avoiding them. An example of this type shows up in Steve's book (which is a great book - don't get me wrong), attached to an 1870 prinzen sized EK2. Was I being hasty to judge the "stubby" sytle oakleaves as fakes?

Below (I hope) are pictures of the oakleaves on my example, and a scan of the oakleaves mentioned from "The Iron Time". Any thoughts on this?

[Bill M]

--There is, I believe, a photo of one of these in the Geissler book and there is definitely one in Gordon Williamson's book.
--I've also got a Prinzen 1870 with the Oaks in question, although they are in standard size.
--In sum, I have no problems with this type.

[Jody]

Hello,
I also agree with Bill. I do not have a problem with those oakleaves. I have seen them on too many good pieces.
Regards,
Jody

[VerKuilen Ager]

Just a note from a long-time student of typography; the item shown by Bill is not the same as the one shown by Tim. The number 5 is distinctly different, particularly in the way the bottom of the vertical stroke attaches to the oval portion of the character. So, you have two different dies/casts/sources for these, and therefore one cannot testify to the validity of the other.

[Bill M]

--Yep, they are different - good eye!
--There were quite a few variations on these, including the prinzen and miniature sizes, with varying attachment methods as well.