Alfred Hempel Grouping

[Tom B]

Here is picture of plastic container:

Well I believe this answers one question....I don't think plastic envelopes like these were available in the 80's.

[Tom B]

May I add one thing : A friend of mine asked a RKT that he knew quite well if he would order a RK from S&L for him. The RKT did so, and mailed it to Fred. Fred of course paid for the entire transaction. Fred never considered it as the RKT's official RK however. By the way this practice was frowned upon by the OdR.

[Unfront]

All of the items appear to be legit (as many have pointed out) but that being said, I would not value this collection as any more than the sum of its parts. Interesting though to say the least. A well rounded sampling.

[Tony Mickelson]

Hi Mathijs,
Yes I agree with this exception. I knew these were not his treasured originally own 57 set since they are of late manufacturing and veterans usually hold on to their prized set in order to be passed down to the family. That is why the most desired award sets are usually purchased from an estate auction or from a child/ relative of the family. Just like the RK grouping being sold currently on E-stand from a member living in the UK. Yet, it is not unusual for veterans to have several copies of their awards because they don't want to lose or damage the original/ prized award. Of course I read one of the forum's recent threads about buying a 57 award from S&L and the interpretation of the regulation which I understand there were no initial 57 issue awards since those were issued during wartime, but the 57 medal design was approved for wear by veterans due to the German laws and sensitivity of displaying the swastika. Yet to give something, you have to own it first. So these had to be own by Alfred Hempel, though they may not have been his prized original 57 medals (I remember seeing with his post war RK documentation book on the forum which was bought for 2000 EUR), but you have to own it before you can give it. So Alfred Hempel had to own this set just like he owed this other set (image of listing attached.) From personal experience it is not unusual for a veteran to own several copies of the same medal. So I guess as a collector you have to look at what is more desireable: ie. Original WW2 RK identified to an owner > Original WW2 RK > 1st 57 RK identified to an owner > 1st 57 RK owner unknown > later 2nd style 57 RK identified to an owner > later 2nd style 57 RK with no identified owner > the latest authorized (post 1990's) S&L manufactured RK > non authorized manufactured RK/ fake's or reproductions. Does that make sense But again, to give something, you have to own it first. Tony

[Tony Mickelson]

Hi Tom and Unfront,
Thanks for your input and I agree. In this case, the correspondences between Hempel and Sims was one of giving and respect. Sims would send candies and Hempel would send a Christmas cake and discuss visiting. Looking at these correspondences, it appears that Alfred Hempel gave these medals of his own free will. I feel he was trying to impress Sims with his accomplishment of his own military service as one who previously served in the military to one who is currently serving. From a collector point of view-it is definitely on the lower scale of desirability, with the pieces appearing as late S&L, though the correspondences are authentic. As we all know, you have to start somewhere and at times take a chance But reading all the forum's comments-it was worth taking a chance.