New collector

[Al Carter]

Hi guys,

I am a long time lurker to your forum and website. After looking over some of the collection photographs of the forums members I have decided it is time for me to jump into EK collecting. I am a total novice, and only know the basics of the award that most WWII students would know. However, the ability to spot a good quality EK, a fake or the genuine article escapes me. I have never even to my knowledge held a real EK of any class. Having never really looked over this forum from the standpoint of a collector. Much information that would help me now was just glossed over in the search for the next picture of the award itself.

I am not looking for a huge collection or even one that runs the gambit of makers, but just for medals of each class (sans the RK...unless SC lottory is won by me) for display purposes. In my quest I would like to become a more informed collector. I am sure there are books available that are tailored towards the collecting community. Could anyone give advice as to which books would be beneficial for a novice?

I have looked over the auction houses and militaria sites that are advertised on this site. For one who couldn't spot a fake in either the left or right hand does anyone have any advice as to where to start looking for my first collection piece?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Regards,

Al Carter

[Dietrich Maerz]

Hi Al,

welcome to the forum. You will enjoy it even more now that you are active.

The best books on the market for a collector of the EK series is "The Iron Cross" by Gordon Williamson (Bender Publishing) and "The Iron Time" by S. Previtera (Winidore Press). Both are actually a must.

The best dealer to buy IMHO is Detlev Niemann wheras the other sponsors here are to be recommended too. I guess the important part is to buy from a reputable source with a money back guarantee. And don't forget the E-Stand here which might even the best solution.

regards,

Dietrich

[George Stimson]

Welcome to the Wonderful World of EK Collecting!
I second everything that Dietrich has said. Follow his advice and you can't go wrong!

[Flemming]

But be aware. It quick turns into a habit

When you first gets one, hen you just gotta have another one, to compare the differences between them, and so on

But is fun

And Welcome to this great forum.

Best regards,
Flemming

PS The best 25$ you would ever spend on your collection, would be those you would pay to become an Association member. I have never regret that

[VIPER]

Al............As a fellow Tar Heel, Wellcome. This forum is an invaluable aid to any collector novice or experianced alike.........Regards Jimmy

[Allan P.]

Welcome!!

You will not find a better reference source on the EK than this forum.

Good luck

Allan

[mott5ranch]

Welcome aboard. It all starts out as a simple collection . . . . . .

then it moves into the obsession mode . . . . . .

followed by the addiction phase . . . .

[Rich G]

Yep! Before you know it, you'll have a pile of "worthless metal".

[George Stimson]

"Welcome aboard. It all starts out as a simple collection . . . . . .

then it moves into the obsession mode . . . . . .

followed by the addiction phase . . . ."

Okay, this is the last time that I'm going to say this (again): It's not an addiction. It's a habit.









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[joe campbell]

richard does this to

DRIVE ME OUT OF MY MIND!!!!!!

and, by the way, his picture is a great place
to start. looking at pictures is a reasonable way to
start evaluating pieces. it is not as good as holding
them in your hands, which is the best way to start
evaluating what you are seeing.

while there has been much discussion about the
pros/cons of military shows, it IS one of the best ways
to start actually "knowing" what is good and what is bad.

in north carolina, there is the raleigh show held every
july and january. and this year the MAX show is being
held in charlotte about two weeks from now. if you can,
these are great places to meet other collectors and dealers.
(two of the people mentioned above are generally there -
detlev and stephen previtara.)

and i'm impressed with the number on 'heels here.
maybe we should work on getting together!

last thought: keep your wallet in your pocket unless
it is to purchase one of the books mentioned above.
after you've read one or both, and have spent some time
looking here, THEN you can spend some money!

my best,

joe

[Rich G]

richard does this to

DRIVE ME OUT OF MY MIND!!!!!!

Bwahhahahahaaahaaaaaa

[Al Carter]

Thanks for all the wonderful information!

I will put in an order soon for The Iron Cross. I have seen reference to this book before, and I look foward to reading it.

Aye, Joe. It's good to see fellow North Carolinians here. I will plan scooting to Charlotte and the Max show. Hopefully...I will have read a bit to know what I will be looking at.

Thanks for the warm welcome.


Regards,

Al

[Scott C.]

There's a fairly good military show at the fairgraound in Raleigh Jan and Jul every year too...

Scott

[mott5ranch]

"Welcome aboard. It all starts out as a simple collection . . . . . .

then it moves into the obsession mode . . . . . .

followed by the addiction phase . . . ."

Okay, this is the last time that I'm going to say this (again): It's not an addiction. It's a habit.

GEORGE: Hi my name George and I'm a collector

THERAPY GROUP: Hello George!!!

GEORGE: I don't have an addiction, it's just a little habit . .

THERAPY LEADER: We call it many things here; addiction, habit, others prefer the word disease.

THERAPY GROUP: Hello George!


IT'S a DISEASE!!!!







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[Airborne Nut]

Yes welcome aboard... Detlev is an excellent source for good quality items. Barring that however, I would suggest looking at the eStand here and also there are some dealers out there who back their stuff up 100% lifetime guarantee. So #1 rule know what you are buying, and I would say if you are on teh fence post pictures here and ask before buying. Having said that we all get stung now and again with fakes that are really good. Happened to me last year. But all the dealers I purchase from have wonderful reputations for standing behind their no questions asked money back guarantee.


That I would say is worth it's weight in gold. We all get stung from time to time and well in those times it's nice to see a dealer/ seller step up to the plate and honor thier product.

Welcome and learn much during your time here.

-Shane