Any advice for a newcomer to collecting?

[5thElement]

I hope this is the right section to ask this...

I just wondered if anyone has any advice for a newcomer to collecting photos/documents etc

Where is a good place to start? what original items can be picked up relatively inexpensive?

I've mainly been searching on ebay (for hours on end!) but is there anywhere else can i find these type of things?

How do people know the value of autographed documents etc? most of the third reich militaria books with values i've seen all seem to be really outdated, so where do you find out the current value of things?

Basically any hints/tips would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[elkcollector]

Hi there, 5thelemnet

I collect only Mein Kampf, so i cannot be of much help since there is a wide range of documents and books that you can collect.
But let me shre my expereince with you.

Where is a good place to start? what original items can be picked up relatively inexpensive?

Here!!! You have find the right place,
you can try to look it in the e-stand forum here to get some fair priced items.

I've mainly been searching on ebay (for hours on end!) but is there anywhere else can i find these type of things?

Again HERE!!! Stay away from eBay,
scammers are lying aroung this day,
though fake paper items are not common,
of course, except those that bear the signature of important personnel.

How do people know the value of autographed documents etc? most of the third reich militaria books with values i've seen all seem to be really outdated, so where do you find out the current value of things?

These are collectible items, which the price depends very much on the scarcity and condition of the item,
the condition part, in my view, is quite objective,
so in order to have a fair pricing, you have to do a little bit of homework.
Try looking into the website of some reputable dealer to get a sense of the price,
however their marked price are usually 10-20% higher in my opinion.


There are many expereinced and helpful collector here
who can help you out when you have doubt on certain items.

Here are some reputable dealers which you can look at:
http://www.therupturedduck.com/
http://www.dasreich.co.uk/
http://www.germanmilitaria.com/

For me, i just focus on a single item, like some here who collects only NSDAP party badge, or headgear..etc,
to me specialize in one area gives you more focus, besides you cannot collect all things afterall.
Just check out what interestes you most, and of course you can afford and start rolling!!!
Enjoy this endless ride, pretty addictive!!!

Hope this can help!!

[5thElement]

Thanks for the informative reply!

[Ludwig]

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You have already been given some really good advice and here are some more:

- buy some good books about the area you are interested in

- don´t hurry. If you don´t go for very rare pieces, there will always be badges etc. for sale

- buy quality in good condition. Better buy one nice than three that have lost their colour, been repaired or something like that

- only but from dealers if you get full money back guarantee. But I guess that you will find enough goodies here

Hope this will help you!

[Simon O.]

If you're interested in documents decide what your interests are going to be. A particular service branch, campaign, unit or whatever. One of everything if you like but know that award documents are much rarer than their corresponding badges. If you're going to specialise then try and learn as much as you can about the units involved, personalities, time lines and so on. The best books to start you off on award docs are Forman's two volumes on award documents published by Bender, they give you a good cross section of pretty much everything.

Start with some of the inexpensive common docs such as the KVKII, Woundbadges, IAB, EasternFront and EKII. Learn how to read the story of a document, they all have one to tell and that story should hang together.

Use the available online resources for basic research, it takes seconds and will help you avoid the more obvious fakes.

http://www.lexikonderwehrmacht.de/

http://www.volksbund.de/graebersuche/content_suche.asp

http://www.ww2.dk/

http://www.geocities.com/~orion47/

http://www.das-ritterkreuz.de/

[Diaspora]

Hello

Its nice to see a newcomer. Welcome to militaria-collecting. I'm not all that experienced myself, though I have been collecting for almost 5 years now. Its just lately that I have been in a financial position to buy anything "big".

Some tips? Well....

Do not buy pieces on local markets, fairs or yard sales. My experience with these are that you seldom get authentic pieces. Stay with this forum, and well known dealers.

And off course: I'f it seems to god to be true, then it probably is !

Happy hunting

[Ludwig]

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Oh, I forgot to tell you, that if you are looking for nice document groupings, just turn to me!

[CarJon]

Newcomer

My suggestion is Collect what you like....

Do research so you know what you are getting.....

Once you are done collecting what you like.... Decide on what you really like, then sell the rest to get what you really like....

Shop around to get the average prices of the items you wish to collect....

I think that is the key to collecting... IMHO, collect what you like, not what you think will make you money...

Most collections start out small... end up huge and then are pared down to a specialty....

just my thoughts....

[5thElement]

Thanks for all the welcomes and replys

Looks like i've got some research to do and try and find some items in particular that i'd like to collect.

Thanks for all the links to other websites aswell, im off to check these out now