HOFFMANN post card question

[sniperb4]

Hi - I have several examples of Hoffmann post cards that were printed in Straßburg, instead on München. I have a few post cards of the same RKT Held made both places. The difference between the 2 is this: The Straßburgs are larger than the Münchens, and there is no number in the upper left hand corner on the Straßburgs, either. So are the Straßburgs rarer than the Münchens? Are they worth more or less? Thanks for any light you can shed on this matter. MY opinion of the Straßburgs is that the images aren't as clear at the Münchens. They often have a larger head (without the chest). They both seem to (often, but not always) use identical poses. - just larger.

[randy@treadways]

I believe the Hoffmann Straßburg RKT issues were printed by the lithography process. Yes, they are a lot more scarce than the average Hoffmann Munich RKT postcard. But then there are a few of the Munich issues that are really scarce too.

[sniperb4]

I believe the Hoffmann Straßburg RKT issues were printed by the lithography process. Yes, they are a lot more scarce than the average Hoffmann Munich RKT postcard. But then there are a few of the Munich issues that are really scarce too.

Let me ask the question this way: Say you have 2 portraits of a RKT. One is a Straßburg, the other a München. Identical condition. Which one is worth the most? Or are they equal in value? Does ANYBODY collect Straßburgs? If you do, contact me, maybe we can work out a trade. I collect München Hoffmanns.

[randy@treadways]

Let me ask the question this way: Say you have 2 portraits of a RKT. One is a Straßburg, the other a München. Identical condition. Which one is worth the most? Or are they equal in value? Does ANYBODY collect Straßburgs? If you do, contact me, maybe we can work out a trade. I collect München Hoffmanns.

Using the general rule that relative scarcity is one of the major (but not only) factors driving value, the Straßburg cards are much more scare than the München cards, therefore *might* be worth more.
However, as the printing quality is lower (although slightly larger in size), people wanting a good photo of the RKT might choose the München card instead. The biggest value of the Straßburg cards will be to a Hoffmann collector.

As I noted, scarcity isn't the only factor. On almost any day a common Hoffmann Reichsparteitag card is going to get a higher price than a common RKT card. So subject matter is important as well. Among RKT, the big name people like Rommel and Prien and Galland tend to draw higher prices. The Hoffmann color photo postcard of Rommel gets big bucks.

[sniperb4]

STRAßBURG post cards

I guess nobody on this forum collects Straßburg post cards. Or maybe they are so rare the average collector has never heard of them? No sense putting them on estand if nobody collects them, I guess. Thanks for the info Randy.

[randy@treadways]

I guess nobody on this forum collects Straßburg post cards. Or maybe they are so rare the average collector has never heard of them? No sense putting them on estand if nobody collects them, I guess. Thanks for the info Randy.

There is a market for them, but I'm not sure that estand would be the best forum to publicize their availability. I'm not sure estand is frequented by the most active of Hoffmann collectors--- its most active participants seem to be militaria collectors.

You could check with a few specialist dealers in Third Reich postcards who might handle them for you on a consignment basis (and earning a sales commission).

Some suggestions (just a few that come to mind, not a complete list):
Walter Christ in Nürnberg
http://www.christ-stamps.com/

Marco Hebenstreit in Berlin
http://www.ansichtskartenversand.com/

Walter Dienger in Weil am Rhein
http://www.philasearch.com/en/auction/haus.php3?id=37

Franz Meixner in München
http://www.meixner.de/

[sniperb4]

Hoffman straßburg

I checked a few of those guys out, and none of them had any RKT AK of any type. There is always a hassle dealing with German dealers because of the laws. Do you know of any USA, UK, or others who deal in Hoffmanns? Thanks

[ramon]

Meixner had several Hoffmann published cards in his auction and is, from my direct experience, an excellent firm with which to deal.

Ramon

[Curt Steinbach]

Meixner always has great cards but I have a few complaints. The descriptions are not accurate and there is no way to confirm since there was no picture of the reverse. I bought several cards a couple of years ago and the description indicated they were used (to me that means postally used and postmarked) but they were either written upon without being sent or had only a commemorative postmark. When I complained they had the nerve to tell me "Do you know how much it would cost for storage if we showed the reverse as well?". They make tons of money and complain about a few bucks for storage? Another complaint is about their ridiculous fees. Not only a percentage but then a fee for each card won. Finally, I once bought some cards and a tinnie. They were packaged together with no regard for the fact that it would go through a sorting machine and the pin was pushed into the cards resulting in damaged cards. I would never bid on anything from them again.

Enough ranting. Sorry if I took this thread in a different direction. Nice cards! I was not even aware of the Strassburg versions.

Curt

[randy@treadways]

I've seen Hoffmann Straßburg-office postcards recently on Delcampe and on Philasearch, but only one or two were Straßburg-office RKT postcards. The rest were general views of towns in the Straßburg region. They are very hard to find too.

[sniperb4]

Meixner always has great cards but I have a few complaints. The descriptions are not accurate and there is no way to confirm since there was no picture of the reverse. I bought several cards a couple of years ago and the description indicated they were used (to me that means postally used and postmarked) but they were either written upon without being sent or had only a commemorative postmark. When I complained they had the nerve to tell me "Do you know how much it would cost for storage if we showed the reverse as well?". They make tons of money and complain about a few bucks for storage? Another complaint is about their ridiculous fees. Not only a percentage but then a fee for each card won. Finally, I once bought some cards and a tinnie. They were packaged together with no regard for the fact that it would go through a sorting machine and the pin was pushed into the cards resulting in damaged cards. I would never bid on anything from them again.

Enough ranting. Sorry if I took this thread in a different direction. Nice cards! I was not even aware of the Strassburg versions.

Curt

No need to apologize! I like hearing from dis-gruntled ex-customers! Then I won't do business with the sob's! Who needs that crap?