Reference material for Imperial decorations.

[Dez H]

Dear collectors

I would appreciate your comments and insight in this above topic. I have found what seems a wealth of information regarding Third Reich awards and decorations, but sadly it seems there is not allot in the way of reference material for the Imperial collector. I am particularly interested in Austrian and Prussian awards and medal bars. I would very much appreciate a guiding hand in what reference books are out there, even if they are in German.


Thanks in advance


Dez

[Rick Research]

Imperial stuff is "decentralized." Because there were so many states and awards were made over so long a period (the Thousand Year Reich only lasted 12 years, and I've been collecting 3 times as long as they existed...), the books seem to be

a) all out of print (but being ancient, I have mine, hehehe ) or

b) highly specialized (an excellent one on all the Saxon Orders just came out)

So, it is expensive and time consuming. It is impossible even to find Neal O'Connor's early works. Many people "concerned" about my health just want to know when they can inherit my copies!

I've been seriously interested in Imperial for over 25 years, but have never seen a single reference book--good OR bad--that covered WWI flying badges, as badges, in the way Third Reich awards are covered here, fronts, backs, makers, closeups, fakes.

Nor have I ever seen a "scientific" list of rough numbers of each bar to the various German colonial medals (I actually did my own pioneer work on the 1900-1901 Boxer Rebellion China Medal bars using period casualty reports and mentions of troop assignments, 20 years ago--and have never seen another since, sigh!)

I have found that Helmut Weitze tends to have the largest selection of used and out of print collector related books (also, he takes credit card payments nowadays).

As basic familiarization with what the awards are, Nimmergut's price guides are good--and his accompanying ribbon book is a MUST. There is an Austrian price guide that is similar: black and white photos, rough values, but no info on who got what why.

Klietmann and the von Hessenthal & Schreiber works are solid on physical characteristics and usually give some idea of what awards were granted for.

Imperial is just a so much larger area it is going to take a long time and commitment of time, interest, and some money to be serious about it.

[VerKuilen Ager]

I'm still using Prochazka's Osterreichisches Ordenshandbuch , which dates back to 1974. Ccertainly worth tracking down unless someone knows of something better and more recent.

Start dredging online. I'd recommend starting at Andreas M. Schulze Ising's collector/dealer site that will get you started with enough scholarly articles to last a week. Even Rick will find some colonial bar stats.

http://www.medalnet.net/english.htm

[Mike Dunn]

For Austrian medal, I use "Imperial Austrian Medals and Decorations" by Joseph vom Falkenstien (Wonder if he knew Gene Wilder) It is good reference book, but in black and white. Rick!!!! What is the new book out on Saxon awards?? Mike

[McCulloh]

I reccommend you join OMSA, where a number of the secondary works can be borrowed from the library.
Cheers,
Jemc

[Mike Dunn]

One other thing. Most of the really good reference books on Imperial German and Austrian medal are in German. So it helps to learn how to read German to get the most out of the books! Mike

[ccj]

Rick

By the way, I have been meaning to ask how you are feeling.