Imperial Collection

[Erik Mott]

Me and my dad and Greg and his boys checked out a bunch of different collections a while back. My dad told me to look real close at some of the things because I might not ever see them again. This one man had a real big Imperial collection like flags, swords, documents, medals, uniforms and head gear. He had 3 rooms in his house that had it all out to see. The display rooms had a big hallway with flags. Another room to sit and look at stuff. And another room with the computer and extra items he was considering or trading. It was a big deal.

The men wants to be anoni . . . .annona , , , , ,they wants to be left out of this thread. He wants to just lay low as my Dad says. The other man wanted the same thing. So we will do what they asked and just show some things. We were asked not to take pictures of some things because they didn't want to share them. But we did get the OK to take other pictures. There were display cases everwhere with medals I or my Dad or Greg had never heard of or seen.

I'll start the pictures now. Me in the hallway as we walked into the rooms.

[Erik Mott]

This one wall had this big old cabinet.

[Erik Mott]

Check out this shiney helmet with an eagle on top. The older guys talked about it and the other one with a lion on top. They are both real expensive and not real common. I mean not to many of them around.

[Erik Mott]

Greg and my dad stood in front of these with their mouth wide open. It was weird because it took them a while to talk. So I looked at them real close cause my Dad said I might not ever see these again up close. The Blue Max collection!

[Erik Mott]

This a Bavarian regimental flag, I think. Its got alot of detail in the threads and stitches and these were hand made things, one of a kind. Its BIG as well as nice.

[Erik Mott]

This is the uniform of a general who was in line to be the next Kaiser but Wilhem abacated...adictted . .. . . HE QUIT and no more kaisers. I forgot the generals name but my dad knows it. This general won the Blue Max twice thats why hes got the gold oakleaf. My dad said Mr. Lundstrom would know who this guy was. The man bought the whole group, uniform, general picklehaube, medals, and docs.

[Erik Mott]

Here is another group to another man, but I forget the name. The man bought this whole set too.

[Brian S]

Many many beautiful items there Erik. And I'm sure so many of them are original and priceless. But sometimes one red flag makes a person wonder if all that glitters is not gold. Although the PLM could be awarded with oakleaves along with the original PLM award, that was the exception and not the rule. My sources show the PLM from 1813 to 1905 only 35 PLM's were awarded with OL to first time recipients. So, when I see a PLM with oakleaves and the standard ribbon affixed it makes me want to open up those doors and get out my loop and look a little closer. All in all I'm sure a priceless collection, but I'd sure want to look more closely...

[Erik Mott]

Hello Mr. Brian, These were taken of that medal on the uniform with a flash and without a flash the medal looks differnt but its the same one just differnt light.

[Brian S]

No this one. Can't see the ribbon on the one you showed.

[Brian S]

Here's what it should look like.

[mott5ranch]

Brian, I've tried to contact the owner of this collection but, no luck so far. Some people go places ervery weekend. I don't know how "original" the medals ribbons are. This is soooooo out of my league, but a legit question for sure. I'll keep trying though.

Here are a few more imperial items.

[mott5ranch]

Here is another group that blew me away. Check out all these medals to one man, an American no less!

[mott5ranch]

The WWI Victory medal is one of the rarest US versions made. It is one of the first 100 produced that were numbered by the US mint. Of course it stays with the group but it is a rare US period medal and it is worth more individually than the others in the group.

My boy is giving me one of those, "What the hell are you doing?" looks. It seems he wanted to post these pictures. He just reminded me that this was HIS thread, so I'll let him do the rest.

Gary (Erik'dad)

[Brian S]

Erik,

The post I made was really just an observation and does not require any further questioning. I think you might make the owner defensive. Now if he were trying to sell any of these items most people would ask lots of questions and make very serious attempts to ensure they were real no matter how many of the total items were real. Each item a person buys requires research and not 'faith'. My observation was more to you as you grow up and start buying stuff you cannot be tempted to believe any and all items are legitimate just because you're surrounded by beautiful real pieces.

Be especially careful when someone with a collection like this trys to sell YOU something. Be wary and be cautious! So please don't ask the owner for any explanation on my account. Enjoy and admire what you see but ask LOTS of questions and do your research before you part with a single dime of your money for ANYONE elses treasures.

My original comment "all that glitters may not be gold" really only applies when someone is trying to sell you something. If all someone, anyone, was doing was showing off their treasures, it would be rude to comment and question their personal treasures... My comment is meant only for you and your dad who are not the owners.

Brian