S.S. Banner discovered in bag of old uniforms!

[John Pic]

First let me say what a great find this banner is I got so exited I emptied the laundry basket hoping to find something.

"If we all live in fear of criticism, and don't take the time to educate ourselves in how to properly handle such criticism, then none of us are ever going to see what really exists out there, or get an opportunity to share something new with each other - at least not through this or any other website."

I cant agree more,if "know nothings" attack your knowledge then that knowledge should be easily defensible and why post if no one is willing to debate? I always found it curious that one so called expert can lay down a simple "its not for my collection" and no one asks why. Is this what we are to do with the so called "knowledegable collectors". Also for the most part we do not know who is criticising our items we have no clue about thier experience yet if thier NAME isnt well known they are expected to keep quiet.I know a couple old collectors who's vast collections are stained and dotted with a few high end fakes and they just cant allow themselves to admit it and pout rather than debate when someone more knowlegeable despite thier age points out the deficiencies.Im not defending the guy calling someone a "Liar"that was uncalled for but as long as Im around i wont see the forums turned into "collecting 101 no questions asked", by guys who despite all thier years doing it get lost sometimes.If you want the satisfaction of people looking to you for advice and the prestige of being seen as expert then earn it rightfully in a world audience.

PS..GDC died for one because of why it was started and two because of piss poor management and censoring of legit educational posts.

[james m]

Mike Bob et al:
IMO Kris is suffering from a severe case of Angst here for having parted with the world renowned "Nazi Cat House" Banner acquired at the SOS a few years ago. The banner was also made from some kind of very soft non-typical material and was viewed with suspicion upon first inspection by many. However it withstood the scrutiny of several knowledgeable people including the cloth expert John Casino. IMO a great piece with a very interesting story to go with it.
Jim

[Glenn McInnes]

Here's a pic of the back Rune stitching . Tony S mentioned earlier that it could have been made by a local seamstress rather than a Factory made item ...I think he may have a valid point. It is well made but ..you can see how the stitching is heavy and not completely straight .
Have any of you run into this style stitching before ?

I have seen a few direct from Veterans and the runes were zig zag applied from the factory.





Glenn

[N.C. Wyeth]

I like it myself . . . and honestly, who is to say what is right and what is wrong with these kind of things - they are just so diverse!

And you really got to love them!

Brad

[hanswurst18]

Mike , great wall banner, I love the zig zag stitching....

Bob, all I can say is wow on The Galicia division album, fantastic tool work on the cover.....

Joe

[Dennis S]

Non-text book items are always a minefield considering all the fantasy and
cottage industry repros out there. Every items must be examined and studied on a case by case basis. When you can get all the planets to line up ( material, stitching, patina,comparison with other likely originals, hopefully history, etc) Can you feel comfortable with these pieces. Even then when its time to move it to the next collector it will be difficult, but if its going to make you happy for the next 20 years " Enjoy ".

[Texasuberalles]

I Think Back To The Days Over At G D C, Where Some Of The More Noted Names In Collecting S S Material Would Post And Share, Only To Have Know Nothings Disparage Their Knowledge. I Am Sure You Can Think Of Some Of The Big Names In S S Collecting.
Except For Bob Hritz, You Do Not See Posts From These Serious Collectors.

There was one person who had great knowledge of Alg. SS headgear who was pilloried by idiot know-nothings. He was too much of a gentleman to defend himself in the same vein of invective as he was attacked. He elected to withdraw from active participation. A sad loss to that forum and all serious collectors.

Out of respect I'll not mention his name but most 'old timers' will know of whom I speak.

[Bob Hritz]

Unless I am familiar with a fake, I would rather wait and see if anyone else, with experience, knows anything. it is always easy to critisize, but there are many things out there that we have nothing which which to compare.

I do know Mike P and Howard and would give them both the top ranking for honesty and integrity. Sometimes, that is enough; I know it is for me.

Bob hritz

[Gary Wood]

There was one person who had great knowledge of Alg. SS headgear who was pilloried by idiot know-nothings. He was too much of a gentleman to defend himself in the same vein of invective as he was attacked. He elected to withdraw from active participation. A sad loss to that forum and all serious collectors.

Out of respect I'll not mention his name but most 'old timers' will know of whom I speak.

I Know who you mean and it was a sad day and a Sad loss

[TonyS]

BEFORE EVER POSTING THE ALBUM, I NEED THE SERVICES OF A COMPUTER GURU WHO CAN INSURE TO ME THAT THE PHOTOS CANNOT HAVE THE WATERMARK REMOVED.

That's a tough call, as given enough time even the best watermarks can be removed. Unless you make it so large it wipes out a big chunk of the photo you are posting.

You could do something like this, which is semi-transparent so the photo underneath can still be seen but has enough coverage to make it more difficult to remove.

[PHILBROWN]

this banner WAS NEVER NEVER FOUND IN A BAG OF OLD UNIFORMS. I WAS IN THE ANTIQUE SHOP. WHERE YOUR MATE FROM CHESTERFIELD? I THINK? GOT THIS FROM. DONT BUY THE STORY MY AMIGOS

lets not be hard on jimmy, weve all said or done something that maybe we should not have said, me certainly included, humble pie all round, good find sir

[Totenkopf6]

First let me just say......some guys live a charmed life!

I just received these photos and a hysterical phone call from a fellow collector. Seems my buddy just discovered this flag / banner in an old bag of containing a bunch of U.S. uniforms. Maybe he'll come in later and tell more of the story? But for now here are some photos of his lucky find!

Enjoy,
Howard

Very nice item!!!

[Bob Coleman]

lets not be hard on jimmy, weve all said or done something that maybe we should not have said, me certainly included, humble pie all round, good find sir

PHIL-
WELL SAID. I THINK JIMMY CAN GO A LONG WAY WITH EVERYONE BY POSTING A SIMPLE APOLOGY.
BOB

[Bob Coleman]

That's a tough call, as given enough time even the best watermarks can be removed. Unless you make it so large it wipes out a big chunk of the photo you are posting.

You could do something like this, which is semi-transparent so the photo underneath can still be seen but has enough coverage to make it more difficult to remove.

TONY
THANKS FOR THE ADVISE. I AM NOT IN A BIG HURRY TO PUT THE PHOTOS OUT. I WOULD NOT WANT TO SEE COPIES POPPING UP ON EBAY FOR SALE.
REGARDS,
BOB-

[jambobbyb]

this banner WAS NEVER NEVER FOUND IN A BAG OF OLD UNIFORMS. I WAS IN THE ANTIQUE SHOP. WHERE YOUR MATE FROM CHESTERFIELD? I THINK? GOT THIS FROM. DONT BUY THE STORY MY AMIGOS

Hi Guys im sorry to butt in here but what jimmy is saying has a large grain of truth, He had in his possesion an SS banner/flag which belonged to a local dealer it looked virtually identical to this one (im not saying it was this same flag!!!!) It had very similar gromits and the runes and stitching were very very similar (I remember this incident clear as a bell as Jimmy unfurled it in broad daylight on the front step of his house on a saturday afternoon ) It had been passed through two local collectors who are both known to me and they had said it was a reproduction. I am not commenting on this flag/banner as i know less than squat about them.
Cheers
James