How do YOU display your soldbuchs?

[Admiraal]

Very nice display Rob Johnson!

I got a few Detolf cases aswell, they are really populair with the collector's i've seen

[besslein]

Rose-

There is NOTHING wrong with the way you have your Soldbuch displayed. Everyone is entitled to his/her opinion, but in the end there is no "right" and wrong" - it's up to you and you alone how you enjoy owning and displaying/storing your collection.

I usually store my collection in archival quality protectors in a few bank safe deposit boxes, but once a year I take everything out to display for a few days. I get a lot of enjoyment out of setting everything up, adding in new acquisitions, rearranging things, deciding which books to put out, etc.

These pictures are about a year old (I've added quite a few SS and Wehrmacht Panzer/StuG Soldbücher since I took these!) but in the rare occasion I do have everything set up, here's how I display my Soldbücher, Wehrpässe, Ausweis etc.

I match up all of the awards listed in the SB/WP with original examples, and also try to find corresponding pieces of tunic-removed cloth, such as shoulder boards, collar tabs, rank chevrons, etc; items that would have been worn by the Soldier the Soldbuch originally belonged to. I also try to mach early production (i.e. tombak) awards with early award entries, zinc pieces with later award entries, etc. It makes for a nice challenge, and an accurate, not to mention a very aesthetically pleasing display

I'll probably make more than a few people cringe with these, but hey - this is my collection. I'm not just interested in the "archival" aspect of the hobby, but also the historical connection that Soldbücher have. I'd much rather look at the actual document that was carried in combat and witnessed the battles instead of a high quality laser printer copy!

Some of my Heer Soldbücher and Wehrpässe:




And some of my SS collection:








You're entitled to your opinion, but IMHO collecting dogtags (which most of the time were issued through training and replacement units and cannot be identified to a specific field unit or individual) - to me - makes no sense at all I'd rather collect and display original SS-Ausweis and personnel files; Soldbuchs to CCC or RK recipients, or Panzer/StuG crew members that I can research, translate and make a time line for and know that they are "THE" original items and actually hold them in my hands and think about where they've been, what battles they have witnessed, etc. There's more to collecting than just preserving.

But to each his own

Rob

WOW ROB YOU HAS A HELMET??

[Nico C]

Like I said in m first post: Rob has a wonderfull display and some (if not all) wonderfull documents!

[Panzer Rob]

Like I said in m first post: Rob has a wonderfull display and some (if not all) wonderfull documents!

Thanks bro, but believe me it's nothing compared to the likes of Ian, Jim, Henner, Thomas, Jeff, Barry, etc............. Talk about some quality IDs

Rob

[Rose Heppler]

I hope to have something similar to the size of collection you guys have!

[Rob E.]

While, all of your advise is good.

I asked to see how you display your items, not how to preserve them or get a lecture.

You're awesome.

I say, it's your collection, bought with your hard-earned money, do with it what you will in the end.

I try to preserve mine as much as possible, but still enjoy taking it out and looking at it here and there and or showing worthy friends the finer details.

I don't have a pic handy being at work, but I display my stuff pretty much exactly as Rob Johnson does.

Paper docs are on stands or laid flat like his, all medals are on stands / riker mounts, uniforms on busts, et cetera.

[Panzer Rob]

I hope to have something similar to the size of collection you guys have!

For me it's about quality, not quantity. I'd rather have a handful of Panzer, CCC, DKIG or RK Soldbücher over a hundred common IDs with very few combat unit and award entries. Just personal preference of course!

I like the way you display your IDs. Hey... don't you have a few more kicking around you can share? I think I remember seeing a Soldbuch with a portrait photo featuring a M43 field cap


Rob

[Rose Heppler]

I do indeed. They are not here with me since i'm in the process of moving. But I can show the pics i have of them.

Quality is a must for me too. I like people who've seen action and have several medals to boot . This chap is an oberfunkmeister.

[Rose Heppler]

This guy has 5 awards but I cant remember them off the top of my head. Hes an oberfeldwebel.

[Daniele C]

For me it's about quality, not quantity. I'd rather have a handful of Panzer, CCC, DKIG or RK Soldbücher over a hundred common IDs with very few combat unit and award entries. Just personal preference of course!

Rob

I cant agree more

[Jeff V]

Awesome displays Rob! It is a darn shame you can't leave them displayed year round rather than putting them into a bank vault. I do however see the excitement generated each year when these treasures are pulled out and set up again. It must be a joyous occasion. Once again, I just love what you have done with these displays!!!
best wishes,
jeff

[SiPo]

A stunning SS display Rob, a veritable candy store of SS treats.

All you need now is a good Sicherheitspolizei Dienstausweis for the cherry on the top.

[Ian Jewison]

I personally do not display any but then I have a few.....

If I wanted to display any I would take a scan and print it off....I have a few where they have been clearly open on one particular page for some time and they have either been bleached by the sun or naturally fall open to that page!

Also on occasion the spine has been broken by them being forced open!

Each to their own ............

Remember, what you have is unique whether it cost a few quid (Euro, Dollars or whatever) or a couple of thousand!! It will not last for ever and while it is in your possession you should look after it!

/Ian

[Panzer Rob]

Remember, what you have is unique whether it cost a few quid (Euro, Dollars or whatever) or a couple of thousand!! It will not last for ever and while it is in your possession you should look after it!

/Ian

Believe me, I go to great lengths that my paper/ID collection is stored properly. The few days a year I have some of my items out on display aren't going to permanently damage them; no direct sunlight ever enters my room and I see absolutely no discoloration on any of the photographs or pages that are displayed (and trust me, I check!) I bought these items not only to preserve and look after, but to research, display, reflect upon and enjoy

Ian, I think you'd need another house just to display your collection

Rlb

[Ian Jewison]

Yes,.......research them if you can, as not too many seem to know what they have, but don't rely on other people all the time...............enjoy them.............look after them, one day they will belong to someone else, in your lifetime or not!

I do look at them from regularly, however some are in files, some are in envelopes and some are boxed.....

Luckily for me, one of my son's has already developed a great interest.......