11/08: World War Military Blog
Art of Collecting
Collecting – usually methodical finding similar objects having scientific, historical or decorative value. In basic lays self-esteem and enjoyment…
Yet, Not like any other aspect of people life cycle – Collecting does not have any rules. Each individual chooses what he likes to collect the best. Usually it depends on collector interests and collector abilities.
Area is so broad that it is hard to concentrate on something particular. For some simple decoration of their surroundings, for example their house with some art objects is considered collecting. This sort of collecting is when person does not care about value of the item. A lot of times this type of collection is a mixture of modern, antiques, and often reproductions (copies) of the real items. Better word for this type of collecting is “designing” or even “decoration”. To create such design is neither very expensive nor time consuming. There is no need to do any research what is being bought. Main motivation - it would be “nice to have” and it would “look good” together with other similar items.
There are plenty of small boutique stores where it is possible to find inexpensive paintings, clocks, bronzes, silver, china, porcelain and so on. So what if it is not work of 19th century Impressionist, but rather newer work, it still look nice together.
Yet, that is not what I want to talk about. I want to talk about other way of collecting which is forming of collection. Each item that being acquired not only liked in this case, but present real value, so it can be re sold later on. For a lot of people it is also in investment. Often collector spend time researching each item often getting himself familiar with the history, facts and many other details related to the object. In fact, most of the collectors spend many years to become pro in their field. Most go through errors, trials sometimes overpaying before getting it right.
Problem with forming collection now days is that it is harder to find, as many types of items became part of someone else collection and secondary market is not as strong yet. Secondly because of that it is harder and harder to afford. Take for example – collecting of Russian Orders and Medals.
There are serious obstacles presently exist. In early 1990s when “Communist Soviet Union fell millions and millions Of Russian and Soviet Medals and Orders found there way to the European and American market.
For example, in mid 1990s in a single large Military or Gun show in US you could easily find 10 –15 orders of Nevsky, 100s of Orders of Red Banner. Orders were basically lying in large cartoon boxes without any care. Documents were lying in the boxes next to it. As I recall Red Banner was $10 and if you wanted document, you had to search for it yourself among those other documents. As a pair it coast astonishing $15. Red Banner, second award - $75, Order of Lenin, type 5 - $250. Soviet WWII Campaign medals did not cost more than $25, Order of Kutusov, second class with document - $850. For about 10 K you could assemble pretty substantial collection. If we only knew back there…
Than again money worth more 20 years ago, yet not as much as the rate increase of the medals and orders now to back then. Now days10K will not buy you much!
Today there are two type of people: Those who cannot just afford to start collecting all Russian awards and those who can and want everything and yesterday. Basically because of later type prices are sky rocking. Since later mostly using dealers who buying for them I will concentrate on former.
As it was mentioned money is always the issue, yet it is not the only problem. Serious obstacle is tremendous increase in number of copies that are floating the market from everywhere. For beginner collector sometime it is a stopping point. Buying an item that cost $1000 only to find out that it is good made copy can be devastating for a lot of people. To know an expert whom you can trust is a must for new collector. Personal recommendation is www.sovietauthentications.com. It is much better to pay for evaluation $100-$200 than to buy $1000-$2000 junk.
Second is to have a dealer who young collector can trust. Those are usually no too hard to find. People tend to mention bad dealers right away. Look for the condition of sale. Does the seller stands behind his merchandise? Does he offer money back on his merchandise? Ask other collectors – most of them people just like you and willing to share knowledge.
Very good source of finding a help is through the forums. There are many great forums on Russian Orders and medals. To name a few is http://www.mondvor.narod.ru (in Russian language) and http://www.soviet-awards.com/ (in English).
Not the least important is a literature. Read and learn… Collector must be willing to learn! Do not be lazy!. Otherwise you cannot become a collector. Buy books, Auction catalogs, search the internet, forums. Do the research. Create your own database with images of items that you know are right. Classify them. Create fakes database. Memorize them. Once again DO NOT BE LAZY.
There is no advice if you need to start with simple staff or more serous and expensive medals. It is all based on individual. It just if you make a mistake it is easier on a packet when you are buying Medal for Defense of Sevastopol instead of lets say Order of Patriotic War, 1st class, 1st type, 1st var.
Most important be willing to spend time and be patient. It will come but it may take a while…
World War Military- Russian Orders, Medals, Antique Swords, Military Memorabilia
Welcome to World War Militaria. Specializing in Russian & Soviet Orders, Medals, Antique Swords, and World Military Memorabilia.
Contact Us- Contact Us
Should you require assistance, please don't hesitate to contact us through the form or at info@wwmilitary.com
Collecting – usually methodical finding similar objects having scientific, historical or decorative value. In basic lays self-esteem and enjoyment…
Yet, Not like any other aspect of people life cycle – Collecting does not have any rules. Each individual chooses what he likes to collect the best. Usually it depends on collector interests and collector abilities.
Area is so broad that it is hard to concentrate on something particular. For some simple decoration of their surroundings, for example their house with some art objects is considered collecting. This sort of collecting is when person does not care about value of the item. A lot of times this type of collection is a mixture of modern, antiques, and often reproductions (copies) of the real items. Better word for this type of collecting is “designing” or even “decoration”. To create such design is neither very expensive nor time consuming. There is no need to do any research what is being bought. Main motivation - it would be “nice to have” and it would “look good” together with other similar items.
There are plenty of small boutique stores where it is possible to find inexpensive paintings, clocks, bronzes, silver, china, porcelain and so on. So what if it is not work of 19th century Impressionist, but rather newer work, it still look nice together.
Yet, that is not what I want to talk about. I want to talk about other way of collecting which is forming of collection. Each item that being acquired not only liked in this case, but present real value, so it can be re sold later on. For a lot of people it is also in investment. Often collector spend time researching each item often getting himself familiar with the history, facts and many other details related to the object. In fact, most of the collectors spend many years to become pro in their field. Most go through errors, trials sometimes overpaying before getting it right.
Problem with forming collection now days is that it is harder to find, as many types of items became part of someone else collection and secondary market is not as strong yet. Secondly because of that it is harder and harder to afford. Take for example – collecting of Russian Orders and Medals.
There are serious obstacles presently exist. In early 1990s when “Communist Soviet Union fell millions and millions Of Russian and Soviet Medals and Orders found there way to the European and American market.
For example, in mid 1990s in a single large Military or Gun show in US you could easily find 10 –15 orders of Nevsky, 100s of Orders of Red Banner. Orders were basically lying in large cartoon boxes without any care. Documents were lying in the boxes next to it. As I recall Red Banner was $10 and if you wanted document, you had to search for it yourself among those other documents. As a pair it coast astonishing $15. Red Banner, second award - $75, Order of Lenin, type 5 - $250. Soviet WWII Campaign medals did not cost more than $25, Order of Kutusov, second class with document - $850. For about 10 K you could assemble pretty substantial collection. If we only knew back there…
Than again money worth more 20 years ago, yet not as much as the rate increase of the medals and orders now to back then. Now days10K will not buy you much!
Today there are two type of people: Those who cannot just afford to start collecting all Russian awards and those who can and want everything and yesterday. Basically because of later type prices are sky rocking. Since later mostly using dealers who buying for them I will concentrate on former.
As it was mentioned money is always the issue, yet it is not the only problem. Serious obstacle is tremendous increase in number of copies that are floating the market from everywhere. For beginner collector sometime it is a stopping point. Buying an item that cost $1000 only to find out that it is good made copy can be devastating for a lot of people. To know an expert whom you can trust is a must for new collector. Personal recommendation is www.sovietauthentications.com. It is much better to pay for evaluation $100-$200 than to buy $1000-$2000 junk.
Second is to have a dealer who young collector can trust. Those are usually no too hard to find. People tend to mention bad dealers right away. Look for the condition of sale. Does the seller stands behind his merchandise? Does he offer money back on his merchandise? Ask other collectors – most of them people just like you and willing to share knowledge.
Very good source of finding a help is through the forums. There are many great forums on Russian Orders and medals. To name a few is http://www.mondvor.narod.ru (in Russian language) and http://www.soviet-awards.com/ (in English).
Not the least important is a literature. Read and learn… Collector must be willing to learn! Do not be lazy!. Otherwise you cannot become a collector. Buy books, Auction catalogs, search the internet, forums. Do the research. Create your own database with images of items that you know are right. Classify them. Create fakes database. Memorize them. Once again DO NOT BE LAZY.
There is no advice if you need to start with simple staff or more serous and expensive medals. It is all based on individual. It just if you make a mistake it is easier on a packet when you are buying Medal for Defense of Sevastopol instead of lets say Order of Patriotic War, 1st class, 1st type, 1st var.
Most important be willing to spend time and be patient. It will come but it may take a while…
World War Military- Russian Orders, Medals, Antique Swords, Military Memorabilia
Welcome to World War Militaria. Specializing in Russian & Soviet Orders, Medals, Antique Swords, and World Military Memorabilia.
Contact Us- Contact Us
Should you require assistance, please don't hesitate to contact us through the form or at info@wwmilitary.com
Bob Gramberg wrote: