26 Madness

[Michael Everett]

Gentlemen,

Part of the Cased Mint '26' horde. Enjoy.........


MIKE

[Marc Garlasco]

I have no words...
Thanks!
Marc

[Grant Broadhurst]

I don't suppose you have a spare case for my 26

[Tyler Ramsey]

WoW, that is a very focused collection.
Excellent job!

[Dave-B]

WOW!!!



Dave

[MH184]

I wonder where these all ended up ! Mike you seem conversant with relevantly associated links and knowledge of finds etc From an observation on reading your posts.

Can you shed any light on to the actual where abouts or the truths behind this find ? There's specualtion abundant and stories......but is it true to say these were a Russian find with degree's of condition of the many found from poor to mint (i.e untouched and pristine condition)...or where they found in a museum or some other place perhaps in Germany ?

I'm just curious as to of the origins of my owned cross for the record....there's been deliberation on the find before... but can you advise me please to any subsequent details as a matter of interest without compromising such details you may not be inclined or wish to divulge ?

Happy New Year.

Kr

Marcus

[Marc Garlasco]

Marcus,

This was posted by COL Everett in another post. Clears some things up:

The story was quite unremarkable. What makes it the more interesting is that many collectors felt it was too good to be true and claimed that these '26's were actually reproduction! (If these are fakes we are in a world of trouble).

Anyway, here's my personal knowledge and story.

I was stationed in Germany at the time (1997-2001) and made it a habit to call Helmut almost every two weeks to see 'what was hot'. In December of 1999 I called Helmut about three days before Christmas. He related to me a story that a 'Russian' had discovered the awards stockage of a German Infantry Division's EK1 supply. The foot locker conatined 300 unissued '26' marked EK1s and he purchased all of them. I, like most, was very skeptical but, asked him to send me two examples. When they arrived I was shocked. They were real and perfect. Eventually I purchased over 65 pieces at $275.00 each and eventually selling all but three to major US dealers.
I sold my last retail piece for $1000.00 three months ago.

The quantity that I handled consisted of the following:

Most were marked '26'
A very small number were not marked but, were of the '26' type.
All were in the square cases with the rectangular 'push button'.
A number of examples had paint bubbling under the core.
Alll had some degree of lacquer loss from 1% to 25%.

MIKE<!-- / message -->

[Marc Garlasco]

1999: $275
2004: $1000

NOT bad return!

[MH184]

Thank you Mark my friend.

Col. I knew it !

Kr

Marcus

[Mark S.]

The quantity that I handled consisted of the following:

Most were marked '26'
A very small number were not marked but, were of the '26' type.
All were in the square cases with the rectangular 'push button'.
A number of examples had paint bubbling under the core.
Alll had some degree of lacquer loss from 1% to 25%.

MIKE<!-- / message -->

How curious that the "other" style of 26 marked crosses which we have discussed here ad nauseam are always in boxes with round push buttons.

I can only presume that since no mention was made of another pin and catch style in this hoard, that such crosses are not from this hoard at all, but are from some other source. Conjecture on my part perhaps, but if this person took the time to note minor lacquer loss, surely he would have noticed a different pin style.

How curious indeed.

[Michael Everett]

How curious that the "other" style of 26 marked crosses which we have discussed here ad nauseam are always in boxes with round push buttons.

I can only presume that since no mention was made of another pin and catch style in this hoard, that such crosses are not from this hoard at all, but are from some other source. Conjecture on my part perhaps, but if this person took the time to note minor lacquer loss, surely he would have noticed a different pin style.

How curious indeed.

Mark,

What's your point?

MIKE

[Mark S.]

1999: $275
2004: $1000

NOT bad return!

These hit the retail market for about $350. Of course, any other cased EK1 was getting $185-$225 at that time. By 2002, I was seeing them sell for $500+.

[Michael Everett]

Prices

Mark,

I am always amazed at how much this market can absorb. 300 examples were released to the collecting community and in less then five years they have all vanished. Dispite reproductions, this hobby is still going Strong and always will. I recently examined the perfect reproduction. The most amazing thing is that it took 5000 EURO to make it!

MIKE

[Mark S.]

Mark,

What's your point?

MIKE

I am sorry, I was refering to past discussions.

My point is that this mystery crop of oddball BH Mayer crosses that seemed to pop up everywhere about 2002 are not from the Russian hoard, as some would like to believe. As I have proposed in past threads, it would appear to me that this other type quite possibly may have dubious origins, and may have been released to ride piggyback on the notoriety of the famed Russian hoard.

Some people share my opinion, and some dont. At the end of the day, and with out solid proof, my opinions are just that. Maybe some day I will find the proof I need to lay this to rest (even if I am wrong). In the meantime, the cross type in my attached image make me very uncomfortable.

I have no problem what so ever with ones shown in the beginning of this thread with the square push button boxes. They appear to be beautiful examples of a textbook BH Mayer EK1. People who own one of these examples should consider themselves very fortunate.

[Chet Sowersby]

Of note there is also this, anytime that one of these "hoard" crosses shows up for sale they are sold very quickly. Just the other day one of the members I belive paid $700 for one that he was going to return. Though it was damaged I am sure it will find a new home in short time.

Chet