I just received my copy of Gordon Williamson and Josef Charta's book "The War Merit Cross". The first 300 copies of the first edition are serial numbered and I was lucky enough to get number 55, signed by Gordon. A great looking book from Bender publishing. Get one if you can !

ya I got 69 in the mail today and am very pleased.A member sort of ridiculed it as the thanks for coming out medal but when you read the book and educate yourself it takes on a whole new meaning the detail and pictures of awards being made are outstanding and throw a whole new light on it

Excellent book isn't it. It occupied most of my day after the mail came. Pee'd off the missus when the work came to a screeching halt

hey it is summer and one must have their priorities in order tr stuff, lawn tr stuff painting tr stuff, tr struff , wash the car etc etc

More painting,more painting,more painting!!!
Seiler (Yank in UK)

Hmm..Paul..that member would be me!!!..i stand by my comments, because it was in fact treated as a throw away medal, especially later in the war, where it was given out for virtually any activity related to the war effort...It may have had cache in the early war years, but at the end, it was nothing more than a feel good bauble, easily the most over produced award of the Third Reich..

I also stand by my statement that you will never see a huge increase in value of these awards, book or no..

Saying that, i am always interested in nice books on German awards, so i will probably get this to peruse through, perhaps it may soften my hardened opinion!..

hey when you see those sweet old ladies getting their medals you will melt
And don't foreget the DKIS is covered and considered a war merit medal plus the knights cross with and without swords was held in high esteem and is covered in great detail

I agree the higher end awards are significant, it's just that everyone thinks of the lowly 2nd class war merit with swords when they think of a war merit medal.

It's interesting, but i have never bought a collection that did not include a war merit medal!!

Don't mean to digress fellas, but I've often wondered how successful specialty books like this one really is? Johnsons latest series on TR era and Imperial era swords...for example...how many collectors I wonder actually purchased these. I did, naturally as that is my specific area of interest. Got them from Hamilton for $40 each..new instead of the published price of $69.

SURE they are everywhere the backbone of all TR collections millions made but so where the lower EKS and all had meaning to the recipients of the day who got them . And for values a nice cased 1st class is nothing to sneeze at these days. So I think the war merit has a firm place in history and collecting even if the medal and 2nd class are common. This book I think will be a decent seller there is a bigger market for it also.

PAUL

Well there are rarities in all medals. My 2 KvM's are MM'd 5 and 60. Not many of those around.

Yes there where many makers some very rare and you have to keep your eye peeled because a few show up in the 1st class level in fine silver.

PAUL

I'm not an advanced collector, I collect primarily for the historical value so a book such as this one that goes into great detail about the awards, is more of a history book to me. And no, I'm sure the authors don't get rich from the book sales, so I do appreciate these guys putting in all of the time needed to produce these books, I'm pretty sure Gordon started work on this book back in 2002. As everyone is aware TR items have really shot up in the past few years as they were predicted to do, and with this I've seen more and better copies of everything hitting the market, so books such as this one and forums are a must for collectors. I really get sick to my stomach when I see people on e bay and other auction sites buying fakes and paying good money. And lastly I do appreciate all of you that post on this forum, you're performing a service that's free of charge and that's rare these days.

Hi Jamie-
You nailed it my friend. Totally agree.

And onto fakes, there are some pretty scary pieces popping up these days. Some new CCC coming from Germany from the AfrikaHero. I too see some of the fakes being bought and sold. Eventually, I fear, without the passing on of corporate knowledge, alot of these bade pieces will weed themself into the mainstream mix and eventually be blessed as legitimate. I've always feared that bad guys prey on our forums, honing thier pieces each and every time a flaw is pointed out. But it's a price well paid to fascilitate the communication with each other which we otherwise wouldn't have. Gordon is a cornerstone to the hobby. He knowledge is paramount.

Hope everything is OK Jamie. Never really noticed your signature till now.

I'm fine, at least I think so, thanks for asking. That's just a little of the German that I've learned, and only a very little.

Jamie, we all have a collecting illness. I pray that's all it refers to.

--dj--Joe

Really, I'm fine Joe I was joking. Thanks the same.

Good to hear.

What is the cost of "The War Merit Cross" book?

--dj--Joe

Might be a good opportunity to bring these links back to light.
--dj--Joe
http://daggers.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/800097573/...890072693#3890072693

quote:

Originally posted by derjager:
Good to hear.

What is the cost of "The War Merit Cross" book?

--dj--Joe

DJ THE BOOK COST 64.95 PLUS SHIPPING

http://www.bender-publishing.com/

Looks like a decent book, granted the war merit cross is not high on many collections list but I think this is a first for this award. Any already have it? and is it good?

Fritziii

Yes mine came in last week and it's worth the money. It also list all the winners of the RK versions with a short bio and photo of each awardee.

If i was a new collector, this series of awards would be the ones to start with...inexpensive, and plentiful, variety of maker marks, some mint in a package with ribbon..