Panzer Collection-Be Careful

[The Other Brian]

I think the greatest tragedy is that a knowledgable man with such free access to this forum and the collective wisdom on this forum appears to have invested very considerable sums of money in garbage. I never knew Richard but got the impression he was an active and reasonably well-respected forum member.

That is very, very sad.

The family will hAve been left in a tight spot, at least as far as the collection goes.

[Glenn McInnes]

Well, I have the doubt You started this thread according to your friends (post n.11 by Mr. Zahn say all) for your satisfaction, I hope to be wrong.

About the originality of the items posted here, I never said what I think about because unfortunatly we are not talking about militaria.

The first part of this went right over my head..


As to the second part..Think what you want,I really could care less... If you think it is OK to sell several fake Panzer items as original then that is your business...Break out your check book.





Glenn

[leib grenadier]

Well, this is a very tough position to be in. As a reputable dealer I have to stand behind my product. I have had quite a few phone calls from collectors, and friends of Richard's who were very angry at this entire mess. These items have been looked at by several knowledgeable local collectors, and they found no issue with them, so I went ahead and posted them to my site. I consigned these items for Richard's widow and son in good faith, with no motive other than to help the family out, and to add some high end items to my site in the bargain. But this is way out of control, so as one who guarantees their merchandise, I have no other choice but to suspend the sale of this collection, and remove the items from my site. I honestly don't know what to think here, but my reputation is the most important thing in this entire debacle, and I intend to safeguard it. I know that Richard was a controversial figure, but this is crazy. So I elect to do the right thing here, and simply put an end to it.

Thank you,

Bruce Hermann

Grenadier military Antiques

[Luca Ongaro]

As to the second part..Think what you want,I really could care less... If you think it is OK to sell several fake Panzer items as original then that is your business...Break out your check book.





Glenn

I have different Business Sir, I have no dogs in this fight and if you really want to know, there are just 2 pieces I consider originals. I suppose the best are gone, but this is another sad story.

I simply do not like how and why you, as moderator, started this thread.

Just my opinion.... with all due respect....

[Glenn McInnes]

I simply do not like how and why you, as moderator, started this thread.

Um,because I happen to collect the sort of things that were offered for sale and I don't believe them to be original.


I think I mentioned this a few times already in this thread,maybe it is just the language barrier.


Cute cartoon...



Regards
Glenn

[Glenn McInnes]

Well, this is a very tough position to be in. As a reputable dealer I have to stand behind my product. I have had quite a few phone calls from collectors, and friends of Richard's who were very angry at this entire mess. These items have been looked at by several knowledgeable local collectors, and they found no issue with them, so I went ahead and posted them to my site. I consigned these items for Richard's widow and son in good faith, with no motive other than to help the family out, and to add some high end items to my site in the bargain. But this is way out of control, so as one who guarantees their merchandise, I have no other choice but to suspend the sale of this collection, and remove the items from my site. I honestly don't know what to think here, but my reputation is the most important thing in this entire debacle, and I intend to safeguard it. I know that Richard was a controversial figure, but this is crazy. So I elect to do the right thing here, and simply put an end to it.

Thank you,

Bruce Hermann

Grenadier military Antiques

Again,this thread was not meant to be personal,and no malice what so ever towards you as the seller or the former owner..There never was,but some members here like to make things personal.

Appreciate the actions you have taken.


With Regards,
Glenn

[NickG]

I don't think starting this thread was a bad thing at all...no malice... Just a "Caveat emptor" warning by Glenn to alert the community here on WAF. That's why we go here in the first place, don't we all?!

I had the pleasure to meet this collector (RIP sir!) on numerous occasions, handling many of his items, many exotic/high-end, therefor controversial with usually mixed opinions by the group it was shown to, but frankly for me most artifacts were way out of my league (in both funds and knowledge areas!) so I remained silent...


Again illustrates that it remains a risky hobby, that's why such forums are important to help guide us through the mine field of "good and bad" and aids us with safeguarding our investment choices.
Btw I had a feeling this would come up eventually (this sale and it's exposure to criticism...just a matter of time).

[Luca Ongaro]

but some members here like to make things personal.

Are you referring to Mr. Singer???

[Glenn McInnes]

Are you referring to Mr. Singer???

I was referring to you...I certainly do not appreciate posts like this when myself and others are trying to help.

As far as Mr Singers posts...All that said to me was "if you like it,then buy it" but all these comments are now deleted.



Glenn



[QUOTE]

Today, 01:22 PM #18
Luca Ongaro
Lifetime Member


With all due respect to you and your friends, I suppose you well know who was the previous owner.

Fight against dead members is disrespect and I suspect this thread is going in that direction, very sad[QUOTE]









.

[Willi Z.]

Well, I have the doubt You started this thread according to your friends (post n.11 by Mr. Zahn say all) for your satisfaction, I hope to be wrong.

Yes, you are wrong. I saw the LAH wrap this other day and said to myself "this looks like a very fake piece and it is now on layaway", based on having found one for a friend. I told no one. I then (2 days or so later) saw a photo of a number of wraps through another media, and thought they all seemed/ looked familiar. And bad IMO. Based on this thread this morning I then saw they were posted for sale. Your efforts to allege (again) that this is some sort of WAF conspiracy in play really pisses me off....

The agenda in play here, as it has been for years of discussions on these types of uniforms, have been for the good of the hobby. You don't have to agree. It really doesn't matter to me.

That being said, some of the posts/ comments on this thread are indeed inappropriate (either as personal comments or as an effort to derail the intent of the thread) and we will do something.

This discussion was started in a respectful manner by Glenn with a focus on the items, and was supposed to continue to be about the items, and not any of the people involved.

[Luca Ongaro]

Which is the sense of this thread without pictures anymore?

[Luca Ongaro]

.

[Johnny R]

Luca- Here is a picture Richard thought was very funny of me in line at the MAX waiting to have Tim Curley sign my forehead (I still have not washed). You guys need not fight,

Richard questioned everything as well and this was done without disrepect to him, he probably is laughing at us from a high.

What is interesting is that all the stuff offered for sale was fake. I conversed with him several times over items and he sent me pictures of flight helmets and many uniforms. He had a much larger collection with many very nice original items aside from what is shown.

I am sure the family will benefit from the sale of the other items which is appropriate. I have spoken with my Wife and family as well as my attorney about this and imagine all of them will go a on a World tour financed by my foolish hobby.

[Crusader17]

Darn Johnny, you look just like my attorney.

[Bob Hritz]

Bruce Hermann, of Grenadier Military Antiques, is a stand up dealer who provides a guarantee on what he sells. I believe that Bruce always does his best and he certainly has the heart of a collector. I feel for Richard's family, but all will eventually be sold. The pieces that have questions will be sold to those who are aware of those controversies and at prices that reflect this.

I know that Richard had some very nice pieces and they will surely bring the premium. I guess it is so with most collections; some items will fly away and others will be discounted because of lingering questions.

At least they were offered through a dealer with integrity who is not in the business of profiting off mistakes. I only hope he is able to help Richard's family dispose of those items that have no issues.

Bob Hritz