Graf Spee threads

[JustinG]

I am trying. This is my area to focus and what I am putting my efforts into.

Regards,
Thanks all for the nice comments.

Regards,
JustinG

[Frank K]

Admiral Graf Spee tally

This one is on Ebay.de. Letters from cotton thread, faded from sun and lenght 85 cm according to seller.

Seems to have the shadows around the letters on obverse, not sure about the reverse and ends are cut uneven. Not sure what to make of this one.

So what do you guys think?

[Frank K]

2.

[Frank K]

and 3.

[CSForrester]

I think it is old and from pre-wartime, but a complete inofficial version. The letters are identical to those on the blue, white, green .... sweetheart tallies. Perhaps John can compare the "..ral Graf.." with those and give his opinion.

Regards
Markus

[John R.]

It is an original pre-war "sweetheart" tally--meaning it was sold in the ship's canteen to the sailors as a gift. Often they were sent home to girlfriends and family, therefore the name sweetheart or gift tally.

They were never worn on a cap.

This particular example was originally bright blue with white cotton letters but has been washed many times or somehow left to fade.

100 cms is full length for these.

In any case, it is original and very rare although the condition detracts greatly, and in my opinion very greatly, from the value.

John

[Frank K]

Thanks for the info Markus and John

Sweatheart tally, ok why not? Something new to me at least.

Can see the blue colour now when I look closer. Not that many Graf Spee's around but guess it's better to let this one pass.

[John R.]

No, I would bid on it. Just do not go crazy with that bid. If it goes cheap, you have yourself a rare item from that ship.

These do not come up that often. You were not able to buy it anywhere but the ship's canteen, so it was on that ship at some point in time.

John

[Steve Sherlock]

The original issue tally I had at one time had metal thread for the lettering, as opposed to this one.

Steve

[John R.]

The original issue tally I had at one time had metal thread for the lettering, as opposed to this one.

Steve

Steve,

This is not an issue tally or a tally worn on a sailor's cap. Those were black with one of three types of thread.

This is a gift tally sold in the ship's store or canteen.

Has nothing to do with the wire thread Graf Spee uniform tallies that you are talking about.

These gift/sweetheart tallies are much rarer also but again, they were not worn as a tally. Check the Graf Spee tally thread below for the tally you are talking about--the one started by JustinG.

John

[Steve Sherlock]

Yes, John. I realize all that. The only reason I brought it up was that the original poster thought he might have an issue one. Since no one mentioned the difference of the thread composition between an issue one and this one, I just thought I would.

Steve

[John R.]

Yes, John. I realize all that. The only reason I brought it up was that the original poster thought he might have an issue one. Since no one mentioned the difference of the thread composition between an issue one and this one, I just thought I would.

Steve

I understand now. Thanks for clarifying it.

John

[Bob Hritz]

I have been going crazy trying to find an original Panzershhiff Admiral Graf Spee cap tally to complete a group of uniforms I have from the Admiral Graf Spee. It seems the only thing missing is the band from the cap, probably saved as a souvenir by the sailor.

Bob Hritz

[Frank K]

Here's another current offering from Ebay.de - a Segelschulschiffes HORST WESSEL tally.

If I've understood everything correctly then this is another sweatheart tally?

Bob, I thought the toughest part would be the uniforms but apparantly not?!

[Frank K]

and reverse.