The notion that E-Stand items need to be proven to be original is absurd. In the case of most items bought and sold on the E-Stand, proof of originality is impossible. The best we can hope for in the case of most items (uniforms for example, or awards) is a consensus that the items are original- that they conform in all respects to known original examples with provenance. With unique and one of a kind items, there will be no other examples to compare to. That will always be the case with handmade artwork and decorative items. I have bought items on the E-Stand including plaques, an oil painting, and similar objects that could never have been proven to be pre-1945. Any collector knows that there are countless objects that display "symbols of the period" that were made after 1945, such objects are still being made today. Should we only allow unique items on the E-Stand if they show clear dates or swastikas, is that the suggestion here? If this candleholder had an SS stamp on the bottom would it become real? Does the fact that some items were manufactured in various forms between 1813-2013 mean that originals from the 1933-1945 period cannot exist? They candlestick in question is advertised as "NS/SS Period." Can anyone prove that this candlestick is not as described, i.e. not from the NS period? Thorsten has stated that the item represents a specific rune that period documentation proves had a role in SS weddings.
Many people have accused this seller of manufacturing these items, with no proof. He was "demonstrated" (by some) to have carved a plate and later was able to show that he had bought it from a specific auction house before offering it for sale, leaving no doubt that he was not the artist. But based on the criteria being suggested- that unique handmade decorative items must display symbols of the period to be real- it seems that if the seller really is as skilled with a chisel as some would like to believe, that he will have no problem continuing to market his wares.
I took a quick look at the "Miscellaneous Third Reich Items" table. I see an abundance of items that could never be empirically proven to be pre-1945, from carved wood to ashtrays, to framed art, etc. Couldn't that frame date from 1955, how can anyone prove it couldn't? I also see at least one item that I feel reasonably confident is fake, Thorsten is not the seller. What is the purpose of these accusations against this one seller, why is he being held, it seems, to an unreasonable standard? Is it that SS collectors do not want to concede that there are SS related pieces that remain affordable and are something other than their eagerly sought bits of cloth or metal?
Many people have accused this seller of manufacturing these items, with no proof. He was "demonstrated" (by some) to have carved a plate and later was able to show that he had bought it from a specific auction house before offering it for sale, leaving no doubt that he was not the artist. But based on the criteria being suggested- that unique handmade decorative items must display symbols of the period to be real- it seems that if the seller really is as skilled with a chisel as some would like to believe, that he will have no problem continuing to market his wares.
I took a quick look at the "Miscellaneous Third Reich Items" table. I see an abundance of items that could never be empirically proven to be pre-1945, from carved wood to ashtrays, to framed art, etc. Couldn't that frame date from 1955, how can anyone prove it couldn't? I also see at least one item that I feel reasonably confident is fake, Thorsten is not the seller. What is the purpose of these accusations against this one seller, why is he being held, it seems, to an unreasonable standard? Is it that SS collectors do not want to concede that there are SS related pieces that remain affordable and are something other than their eagerly sought bits of cloth or metal?
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