I advertise locally and someone told me they had a very rare Diamond Studded Spanish War Cross. She informed me that they brought it to Antiques Road show and that everyone was interested in it and that people told her that it was genuine. She explained to me that at that point she did not wish to sell the cross because she didn't want to leave it with anyone and that people had offered her over $1,000 for it. I asked for her to send pictures and told her I would get back to her.
A few weeks went by and I started to forget about the woman and then an E-mail. She sent the pictures below:
After researching on this website (as I never dreamed about such a discovery before) I realized "wow, this is incredibly fake." But I played it cool and asked the individual where she obtained it (thinking she might oust herself by claiming her father brought it back from the war or some other story confirming its authenticity). She informed me that her husband obtained it from the estate of a long-time dealer who had, among other things, one of Mussolini's original uniforms. I wrote her back directing her to the writeup on this website and explained to her that her badge was an obvious fake (in a very polite way as I could not determine her intentions) and apologize that I could not be of more assistance.
I tell you this story 1) so that others (possibly beginner collectors) don't waste their time if this is actually a scam on a larger level than just local and 2) let's have a chuckle at this poor reproduction. When were these made? Why wouldn't someone at least go to the trouble of attaching the wings to the cross? If you're going to copy something that there are only 28 of, at least do a decent job....
A few weeks went by and I started to forget about the woman and then an E-mail. She sent the pictures below:
After researching on this website (as I never dreamed about such a discovery before) I realized "wow, this is incredibly fake." But I played it cool and asked the individual where she obtained it (thinking she might oust herself by claiming her father brought it back from the war or some other story confirming its authenticity). She informed me that her husband obtained it from the estate of a long-time dealer who had, among other things, one of Mussolini's original uniforms. I wrote her back directing her to the writeup on this website and explained to her that her badge was an obvious fake (in a very polite way as I could not determine her intentions) and apologize that I could not be of more assistance.
I tell you this story 1) so that others (possibly beginner collectors) don't waste their time if this is actually a scam on a larger level than just local and 2) let's have a chuckle at this poor reproduction. When were these made? Why wouldn't someone at least go to the trouble of attaching the wings to the cross? If you're going to copy something that there are only 28 of, at least do a decent job....
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