People who should have their asses kicked

[Dave Danner]

Here's another example of what I and many others here hate. A guy who splits up groups.

There's an eBay auction for an unidentified medal. I look at the picture, and it's a 2-medal bar. The first medal, 1914 EK2, is missing from the bar. The second medal is the silver Ehrenmedaille w/swords of the Fürstlich Hohenzollernscher Hausorden.

Go to the guy's other auctions and what do we find. An EK2 without ribbon, and a Besitz-zeugnis for the EK2 from the 22 Bavarian Inf. Regiment "Fürst Wilhelm von Hohenzollern".

Do ya think they might go together? Add to that in separate auctions the same person's Hindenburg Cross and Kyffhäuser-Denkmünze.

Same seller also split up a WW2 Wehrpass, Soldbuch, Erkennungsmarke, and KVK2 and certificate to the same person.

[Rick Research]

Dave--you are too kind and gentle a man. MY response (toned down to not frighten the children) would involve a potato peeler, parasitic insects, and hot paving tar...

It never ceases to amaze me that these greedy, stupid "it's my property I can do what I like with it" people always seem to think they are going to make MORE by smashing a set than by keeping it together. These are people who would cut up the Mona Lisa into stamp sized pieces for just such a plan...

[Kurt Doench]

Probably the only way to get to people like that is stating over and over again that in most cases, an intact group will be worth far more than the single pieces. I mean, who'll get excited about a lone 1914 EK2, but with the Fürstlich Hohenzollen medal and a citation to a regiment that fits the bill, it's suddenly interesting, isn't it?
Greetings, Schlepp

[RJB]

You guys are right. Lucifer sets aside a special place for those who split up groups

[Jody]

Hello,
Guys I don't want to sound like a prude, but please lets try to avoid words like A**** in our main threads.

Now let me say this, I find the same thing with Hate Belts. Most new collectors don't even know what you mean when you mention them. I can tell you why, most have been stripped by collectors and dealers alike.

I have a super one with some EXC+ gold wound badges and ranks discs on it. I can't tell you the number of guys that have said the wound badges would look better in a display and if I would condsider removing them. That to me is just as bad as breaking up frack bars.
Regards,
Jody

[Daniel Cole]

Dave,
After a bit of digging I found the items you're talking about. I agree completely with your assessment. Its too bad one can't keep it together but the starting bids are ridiculous. 400 DM for an 1914 EK 2 and Urkunde??

I have a "Ranglisteauszug" and Hohenzollern House Order Knights Cross with Swords Urkunde from a officer in the 4 RER. I know the group at one time had an EK 1, EK 2, Oldenburg FA 1 and FA2 to go with it but its all lost in the vast collector waste land. Too bad. On the back of the Ranglisteauszug you can see where the Urkunde for the EK left it image in reverse on it ( I think it got wet). I'd love to reassemble it all but I'd love to win the lotto too.

History, as well as the career on some brave soul is lost when groups are separated.

Dan Cole
Boise

[Tom Y]

Even some of the most reputable dealers (not you, Detlev) are guilty of this. I got an EK group a while back from a major German dealer and discovered too late that the matching Wound Badge and doc were being sold too. In their defense, with a large inventory and several employees sometimes it's hard to keep track of details like names on doc's when you're sorting by type. Regardless of the reason, though, it's still a tragedy.

[Sebastian Bianchi]

Actually, even Detlev breaks up the groups. My RK was for sale in a group, and it was too much so I passed on it. Then later it was offered for sale as an RK itself, and I bought it. It's a shame I could not afford the whole group.

Seba