57er Collecting "Has it Peaked?"

[Skyhawk]

Hi,

Interesting to see the 57er section of the E-Stand with so many offerings. This is probably the most items for sale (sellers) since 57er awards received their own "sales" section. It is amazingly to see awards like Peter's Submarine Combat Clasp go unsold at an attractive price. Has 57er collecting peaked?? Are no new collectors entering the hobby? Several years ago, basically every solid hinge block 57er award posted for sale was scooped up almost immediately, if the price was reasonable. All hobbies have peaks and valleys, and I know Militaria collecting overall has slowed in recent times based upon forum posts. The BIG question is how do we grow the 57er hobby or should we even care? I fall on the side that enjoys seeing new collectors enter the hobby, and bring enthusiasm that lifts us all. So, what are your thoughts or comments?

Best,

Jeff

[HeinzGrimberg]

Hello Jeff and guys,

I've been collecting this area for a 1-year and I think it's a lot harder than TR Item.

There are not much online dealers with the Earliest type.
So, Many beginners depend on eBay but there is a flood of fakes..


To bring up new people,

First, If he/she is interested 57er and advisable to exchange or sell among the collector. We need to rescue them from the difficulties of the collect.

Secondly, Even if it's a 'same time' of concept, The 57er section should be a separate concept from postwar. As you known, it was awarded to soldiers from World War II, not to Origin Bundeswehr soldiers. Why is it a problem? Someone believes that postwar is less valuable than World War II. " it Just postwar. "

And last, We need cooperation from online-website dealers.
- Explain historical values and seek their help.



Greetings,
S.W.

[Matthieu]

Jeff,

I do believe our forum consist of somewhat same bunch of collectors.
By now, we have bought or traded all the badges we want in our collection.
People tend to look more for specialized items against the more common badges.

New collectors, not that many have registered and joined our subforum here.
We are indeed a somewhat niche are in militaria collection ....

Seeing this evolution, its sadly time to take the hobby to eBay and other auction sites.
In view of some high prices certain items fetch, still the best guarantee to get top money.

Mathijs

[xmember]

I agree with Mathijs. We have lost some good friends over the years and haven't seen the same kind of enthusiasm in 57 collecting like it was since I started in 2011 and some of you guys started way before me. I believe the peak was a few years ago. I have reached the point where I only need the very rare pieces and my collection is 98% very early pieces and good groups. 57 items are not really selling on the forum and as Mathijs said, it's time to test e-bay and auctions. I was also older when I started and the new comers are younger and maybe find themselves without the kind of funds that we have now. Oh well, like everything else, things evolve.

Regards,
Rudy

[Nigel N]

To be honest, I've been getting a bit disheartened recently!!
A few years ago, whenever a nice or interesting badge or medal was posted there would be several pages of comments and discussion....
But these days quite a few pieces are still shown, but precious few replies...
That is not unique to WAF, in fact a lack of interest has killed off many 57 sections in other fora already.
As has already been mentioned, many former collectors have sold up, and the enthusiasm they had has not really been replaced!
For any forum to survive and grow, it needs time and effort spending on it, and input from as many members as possible!!
But at least we still here!!!!!!!
-Nigel

[bytown]

I'm still looking for bits and pieces. Mostly early stuff.

So as of yet I have not peaked.

Wayne

[Tom B]

Even though I stopped collecting a few years ago, I still have a great interest and love seeing the items that are shown here. It seems though there is a lack of interest lately. I thinks part of it is all the fake crap out there and also the high prices these days. Tom

[Tom B]

Some OVER priced original US ebay examples: 3 original RK's and an early S&L set of oakleaves. WAY, WAY, WAY over priced !!!!!!!!!!!

[Borzadow]

Some good points you have made here. Actually I saw some time ago that some of you are quite "disheartened" recently as Nigel says.

Personally I haven't that problem. I'm still in a great love with my collecting!
To be honest I have a little break some time ago, but past 6 months was a real "57er orgy" for me I have get as many new great items that never before! Too much for post even a part of them here

My wish list is getting very very short - as most of yours - but I'm still having a lot of fun with searching both of the "holy grails" and very common ones.
I have a very mixed collection: from very early to very late ones, different makers and variations, etc. Not only 57'ers, but postwar imperial as well (it is a great, fascinating, and still uncovered collecting field). Every week I see something new or rare, but I'm not only buying - just looking at those pieces brings me a lot of pleasure!



Maybe some of you should take a small brake and then return with dual power, as me?

All of you 57'er guys are great and it would be a big loss when you would lost your love for our beautiful collecting area.



As to the prices - dealing on WAF seems to be hard indeed........ that's because there are just a few new collectors interested in our thema. But worldwide there are a lot of them - look at ebay: sometimes items are sold after a crazy bidding! But sometimes you can find a real gems for a bargain prices.
There is a lot of capabilities still in our hobby!

[Alex W.]

Hi Jeff,

that is an interesting question. As for me, I don't care if the "57er-hype" has peaked or not. Due to my general interest in all early postwar made awards and decorations - being with swastika, foreign, imperials,... - I'm used to collecting items that are not much popular with most other collectors.

To me, it's a matter of personal interest and it shouldn't matter how many other collectors have an interest in those pieces. "57ers" for me are only a part of a larger field - postwar made awards and decorations - IMO too small on it's own to ever have huge numbers of collectors. Most TR collectors I know, still dismiss 57ers as "crap" not worth being collected. For the most part I don't expect a change in the thinking anytime soon, even though we saw a peak in the 57 collecting IMO around 2011-2013.

As for prices - I just picked up an early S&L DKiG (black starburst) for a very good price from a dealer. In fact, three years ago this probably would have sold for much more. I find it interesting, that prices of other postwar items keep rising steadily. (S&L Swastika B-frames RK's, Souval RK's etc.)
I know of dealers who are not interested in even selling/buying 57ers, as they consider them "worthless". Then again other dealers have jumped on the 57er hype and will ask crazy prices...
So, to answer your question - yes I do believe 57er collecting has passed it's peak; at least for now - it really shouldn't matter to the individual collector with an interest in these pieces IMO. Collectors will always come and go.... so what.

Nigel made a very good point. I agree with him that good and interesting discussions about posted pieces have declined largely over the years. I've added many different items to my collection over the last couple of months, but for the most part I have no interest in posting them. The ones I do post, will only result in the usual nice comments - which is good and all - but interesting discussions are just not happening anymore. So I rather save my time and enjoy the pieces by myself - if you know what I mean. This is a pity, as there still is a lot to be learned about postwar made awards and medals for all of us.

Best regards,
Alex

[ekhunter]

You Are Right

Hi Jeff,

that is an interesting question. As for me, I don't care if the "57er-hype" has peaked or not. Due to my general interest in all early postwar made awards and decorations - being with swastika, foreign, imperials,... - I'm used to collecting items that are not much popular with most other collectors.

To me, it's a matter of personal interest and it shouldn't matter how many other collectors have an interest in those pieces. "57ers" for me are only a part of a larger field - postwar made awards and decorations - IMO too small on it's own to ever have huge numbers of collectors. Most TR collectors I know, still dismiss 57ers as "crap" not worth being collected. For the most part I don't expect a change in the thinking anytime soon, even though we saw a peak in the 57 collecting IMO around 2011-2013.

As for prices - I just picked up an early S&L DKiG (black starburst) for a very good price from a dealer. In fact, three years ago this probably would have sold for much more. I find it interesting, that prices of other postwar items keep rising steadily. (S&L Swastika B-frames RK's, Souval RK's etc.)
I know of dealers who are not interested in even selling/buying 57ers, as they consider them "worthless". Then again other dealers have jumped on the 57er hype and will ask crazy prices...
So, to answer your question - yes I do believe 57er collecting has passed it's peak; at least for now - it really shouldn't matter to the individual collector with an interest in these pieces IMO. Collectors will always come and go.... so what.

Nigel made a very good point. I agree with him that good and interesting discussions about posted pieces have declined largely over the years. I've added many different items to my collection over the last couple of months, but for the most part I have no interest in posting them. The ones I do post, will only result in the usual nice comments - which is good and all - but interesting discussions are just not happening anymore. So I rather save my time and enjoy the pieces by myself - if you know what I mean. This is a pity, as there still is a lot to be learned about postwar made awards and medals for all of us.

Best regards,
Alex

I couldn't of said it any better myself, even if I tried really hard. I believe it's an ebb and flow with any type of collecting. I actually love to browse and read every single post in this section, and as most often the case, no comment is made, just an appreciation of what someone has acquired or has learned. If someone has a question about something and it hasn't already been answered, I will definitely lend a hand. As a collector, I personally prefer attributed pieces, and really, collect for myself, and keep those pieces to myself. I keep saying I'm going to post pieces but something always seems to come up to keep me from actually photographing and posting. Make no mistake, many collectors like myself are always on the prowl here and at other sites for unique 57 pieces, and the rarer and more documented, the better. If anyone really wants to see if the 57 collecting field has truly passed it's peak, post an attributed piece or pieces with nice documentation at a "reasonable price" and see how long it will last on the Estand. So if anyone takes the bait, if an early 57 RK is also included, that is a definite plus for me!

[HeinzGrimberg]

Most TR collectors I know, still dismiss 57ers as "crap" not worth being collected.

I know of dealers who are not interested in even selling/buying 57ers, as they consider them "worthless". Then again other dealers have jumped on the 57er hype and will ask crazy prices...


Best regards,
Alex

+1

[SCHUPO]

This is an interesting question. Collecting 57er awards is a secondary interest for me but I always read this section and refer to the pinned threads often for detailed discussions of arcane information. I don't know if 57er collecting has peaked or not but there are certainly more fakes out there so that would seem to indicate there is still a market.

At any rate, I have heard the calls over the years that the military collecting hobby in general is on the decline. Perhaps so but if you go to SOS one would not think that is true. The hobby may be changing or evolving but that seems natural to me as I have collected militaria for over 50 years and have seen a lot of changes. There seem to be cycles in collecting. I know mine seem to be feast or famine. No real reason for it... just the way it goes sometimes.

[Skyhawk]

Hi,

First, thanks to ALL for adding your comments to this thread.

From what has been written so far, I have a few thoughts as well, in no particular order.

1) Most 57er collectors begin as TR collectors and somehow get sucked into the 57er world. For me, it was a way to collect many types of awards on a somewhat reasonable budget. Try duplicating any of our 57er collections with TR awards, and you better have very deep pockets, and then some.

2) I respect all collectors of post wartime awards, so I do not want to start a battle with those who collect post wartime awards with the swaz. However, I feel this must be stated. 1957 Ordensgesetz Awards have a KEY difference from other post wartime awards. These awards were authorized by the West German government, and worn by serving members of the West German Military. The same can not be stated for ANY post wartime German award with a swaz. A HUGE difference in my mind. Veterans could wear whatever they liked or could get away with on civilian attire, so collecting those awards can be fun too! As a TR collector, I avoided Souval swaz awards like the plague due to the MANY awards made after WWII ended. Also, care must be taken with S&L and Deumer TR products. 57er awards allow certain awards which in TR form are either super rare or extremely difficult to find/expensive to be displayed. Go out and buy a minty TR Gold CCC, get out the BIG bucks. Some 57er awards are MUCH more difficult to find than their TR "cousins".

3) 1957 Ordensgesetz Awards are unique more for what they do not have, than what they do.......the swaz. Also, 57er awards are made out of better base materials than many TR era awards. There are several sweet 57er Bronze CCC on E-Stand right now. They sure look better than 95% of the TR era equivalents. Thank God, the 57er awards are not full of ZINK!!!

4) We have had at least 4-5 SOLID WAF 57er collectors exit the hobby in the last several years. The selling of their collections have grown and almost completed collections such as Rudy's and mine. Hopefully, we will get "new blood" in our 57er ranks during 2017.

5) Dealers are in business to make money, no matter from what country/era an award represents. Some embrace 57er/post war awards others do not. Most are interested if there is money to be made!

We need new 57er/post wartime collectors. I believe the 57er/post wartime area of the WAF is one of the most welcoming and least condescending areas to be found.

New collectors STEP UP, we are here and ready to assist!

Best,


Jeff

[HeinzGrimberg]

1957 Ordensgesetz Awards have a KEY difference from other post wartime awards.

As a TR collector, I avoided Souval swaz awards like the plague due to the MANY awards made after WWII ended.
Also, care must be taken with S&L and Deumer TR products.


Thank God, the 57er awards are not full of ZINK!!!

The selling of their collections have grown and almost completed collections such as Rudy's and mine.




New collectors STEP UP, we are here and ready to assist!

Best,


Jeff

Good point indeed!