Hauptmann

Dan,

I tried transfering the pictures but for some reason I couldn't open them afterwards. However, the picture on the WAF indicates it was taken here in BPEST as the VVOs are sitting on my kitchen counter so I must have them here after all. I don't have room to display things here like I do at home so almost everything is in boxes and I don't always remember what I have. I'll dig the VVO pair out over the weekend and take some pics.

Cheers,

Gordon

Hi Gordon,

Many thanks! Looking forward to seeing them.

Dan

Hi Gordon,

Hoping you'll be able to transfer the pics over here as well for those of us who are not members of the WAF as we can't see pics. And if possible the ones in Torstens thread over there and I think there was an older one discussing the cases as well which is also mentioned in on of those threads.

Would love to see anything and everything we can get over here on these. Just not enough DDR info out there... but it's getting over time.

Thanks!

Dan

Dan,

Interesting url for the VVOs. If you look at the backs of the medals you will see the difference in construction of the earlier and later models. There are more than two issues but this will do for a start. The bronze is a late issue with the ribbon held on by bending over two pins and a simple hook that the actual medal hangs from. Notice also that the back is rough rather than smooth. The silver and gold grades have the ribbon and the medal hanger held together by two screws. Note that the medal hanger is composed of two loops of wire and that the backs of the medals are smooth. Also note the barrel latch and pin arrangement on the silver and gold grades versus the much simplified pin arrangement on the bronze. The silver and gold grades do not appear to have any silver hallmarks on them however so they are probably the issue just prior to the last one. Cann't remember all of the details right off and don't want to make a mistake in my post so will close with these comments and do a better job in the future.

Regards,

Gordon

Hi Gordon,

Many thanks for the additional info on these. To be honest I had not noticed any of those details save the basic differences in the smooth or rough finish on the reverses when I looked at this earlier. I tried looking it up in my DDR Orders and medals reference last night and was shocked to find it didn't cover these... except the ribbon bars that is:

I can't wait to receive this latest addition and have a chance to get a good look at it. I've never seen one in person... only online. Doubt I'd be able to get the higher grades as I'm assuming those have reached far greater heights over time and will continue to do so. But there's always hope I guess.

Many thanks for your help and advice on this one. I'm glad I could manage to get it. Wish I could have managed the early one as well but right now this was a squeeze... but one that I feel is well worth it.

Thanks!

Dan

Hi all,

Well, here's my newest addition to the DDR collection, a cased Fatherland Merit Order in bronze complete with ribbon bar. Not here yet... just ordered it so hopefully it'll be here sometime in the next couple weeks or so. Once it's here I'll do better pics and scans for more details:

Been wanting one of these for the longest time. I've no idea how much the gold and silver grades are running these days and I'm almost afraid to ask... if you can even still find them. I think my next goal is going to be for the Orders of Merit for Nation and Fatherland set like Vic just completed. After that... not sure what I'll be able to afford in the higher ones. They seemed to get pricey right from the get go and have just continued to go up ever since.

Anyhow till I receive it and get more pics here's a page I found on them with all three grades front and back:

http://www.medals.org.uk/germany/ddr/ddr005.htm

If anyone happens to have any of these... even a bronze grade please post as I'd love to see them but it would also be great for comparison when I get mine.

Dan

Hi all,

Here's my contribution for now... I'll try to scan and post my others asap:

Dan

Indeed! Welcome Megan! Here's hoping you have a great time here, learn alot and I'm sure you'll have alot to pass along to the rest of the members as well. Great to have you on board!

Dan

Hi Grant,

Wow! You're coming right along my friend. Just as I knew it would your collection is growing by leaps and bounds. More on the way!

Keep up the great work!

Dan

Hi Dan,

Are you really that surprised? As long as the stuff sells as "repro" that is fine! Its when sellers forget that little abberviation that there is trouble .... at least for some buyers!!

As I always say..... It will only get worse!

Jim

Hi Jim,

Not really surprised... it was just another sign of the turning tide and a rather blatant one at that... at least in my mind. It's all going in the same direction as TR stuff. It'll get to the point like it did with that where hardly anyone knows what's real and what's not and it won't be any fun anymore.

Sigh.

But did want to add that I too have no problem as long as copies are sold as such. It's when they get "too" good, are sold as originals and everything gets to the point where no one knows what's what anymore. Just gotta stay one step ahead of them all the time.

Dan

Thanks for showing this!

It'll be interesting to see what this SELLS for.

Hi Rick,

No problem. Thought it would be of interest. Again thank goodness it's different enough that anyone who's seen or handled a real one will know.

I can't remember for sure but I believe it was a buy it now for around $55 or thereabouts.

Dan

Great find Charles! That's definitely a keeper!

Gordon, I especially love those last two sets of three... my favorites being the last set... beautiful design!

How I envy you both being in the center of all this and being able to find these hidden jewels. Keep up the great work! And thanks so much for sharing... we'd all be lost without you.

Dan

oops- hope Hauptman doesn't mind it here.

I would think it also counts as a "excellent work" badge?

Hi Jeff,

Not at all! I'm happy to see the old girl getting more air time. Here's the link to my original posts on her which include several more views including the case:

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=7303&hl=mhs

Dan

Thanks Dan!!! I noticed it was missing from the list. He has TOOOOOOOOO many ODMs!!! I was looking at the ODMs of the British Royals and I knew the Queen and Prince Phillip had TOOOOO many but, I think he comes pretty close to having the equivalent number as HM Queen Elizabeth II.

Doc

Hi Doc,

No problem! And depending on how far back we go... how about Kaiser Wilhelm II... or even his father and grandfather? But as to WII he had tons from what I've seen... and all the uniforms (foreign included) to go with them. And probably Czar Nicholas, etc., as they tended to have tons too. But WII loved such things and went to great lengths to get what he could from all and sundry. No idea if anyone has a complete list but if so I'd love to see it for him.

Dan

United States - Chief Commander of the Legion of Merit

Dan

Hey, push comes to shove we may have to just pool our resources, put our noses to the grindstone and do some up for the common good!

Perhaps that can be another club project for down the road like the one on wound awards of the world.

Dan

Thanks for the info Dan !

I didn't know there were different colours of the police graduation badges , so many badges so little time

Here are 2 more that magically appeared on my doorstep this morning ! :

Marksman bagde in gold , is this just for the workers militia or all armed services ?

Hi Grant,

Okay, not positive but I believe these are the people's militia ones. There's a bronze, silver and gold but otherwise they're all the same. The armed forces had the schutzensnurs just like in WWI/WWII, etc. But again if one of the other members knows for sure (Oh Torsten... we need you!!!! ) please jump in and let us know. But rest assured you won't have any trouble finding the rest of this set for cheap!

Check out my thread:

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=8727

On the first pic you'll see the set of three of these in their riker.

Also you'll see my Verdienst medals in posts further down and there are also some examples shown from other collections both on bars and with serial numbers and silver content marks. Hope this helps.

Dan

medal and ribbon , looks fairly worn . I need a case for this ! :

Hi Grant,

Ooooh! See, that series is one of my all time favorites. I've got a full set and a partial section set going. I grab those whenever I see them cheap. Just love the design and colors. But when you find them, be careful to check both the back (top and bottom) and the edge for any silver marks or serial numbers as the early ones have those. They don't turn up often and sadly I have yet to get any of the early ones... but I want one/some bad!!!! I'm also hoping for a documented set at some point. And although rare from what I understand... one documented to a collective (has a special case/urkunde) is like dream of dreams.

Easy part on the cases is that except for the really super high Orders it's seems 99% of their medals came in those same clear plastic cases with the foam rubber base. They turn up in bunches over here on Ebay quite a few times a year... like $10 cases for $10 or thereabouts. Not too hard to find. My problem is I need one of the ribbon bars for the same one you have... I see the medals... I see the medals with the ribbons but so far no one has just the ribbon. All my others have the matching set except one of the bronze.

But that's a great one in my eyes. And it's got a really super look to it. I think you got a real prize there... but then again I'm just super hooked on this design. Let's put it this way... had I seen it for the right price I'd have grabbed it in a heartbeat and started on yet another set. Love em'!!!!

Dan

Nice card box marked " Kurt 1968 "

Hi Grant,

Now you'll need the silver and gold cased. The gold's are a bit harder to find but none of these are expensive... although they are very nice and rather hefty. I initially turned my nose up at them when I started out... but over time I learned to love them. Am getting ready to send a bronze and silver over to Vic to get him started on a set. So you'll be in a little competition with him for the gold.

Nice box! Mine are all in the white plastic cases... so assuming your's is an earlier issue. Shame it doesn't have the full name or other info written inside.

Great piece!!!!

Dan

Here are 2 that arrived this morning :

I think they are Police graduation badges , any addition info appreciated !

Hi Grant,

Yes, they're Police granduation badges. Here are my two for comparison:

I believe the one on the left (like yours) is for NCO's and the one on the right is for Officers.

A very nice pair you have. I especially love the yellow colored bottom of the case on the left one.

Those will go nice with those "new additions" you've got coming soon.

Keep up the great work!!!!

Dan

No idea!

Concerning the newspapers, it seems that they always had this beneath the wallpapers. I don't know why.

Possibly for extra insulation. I've seen this in old homes in the U.S. from the 20's through the Depression. In one instance a man who managed a local theater back then would bring home the outdated movie posters and used them to help insulate his home. Later it was boarded over and forgotten about until someone purchased the home, did some restoration work and discovered all these mint condition posters... some exceedingly rare and very valuable. They made a ton of money selling them off at a major movie memorabilia auction. I've got it on a documentary in my collection about treasures.

Anyhow that would be my guess. It was cheap insulation.

I think the white fluffy material is likely some type of insulation material from the ceiling area which over time has fallen down... or possibly asbestos or something similar.

Dan

Hi Grant,

You're off to a great start. And yes... it's "extremely" addictive as are several of the other Warsaw Pact countries. I've been into Bulgarian and am going strong on Hungarian as well along with my main Soviet collection... and even that has a few offshoots. So much variety and often for extremely low prices. For what you had in your 57's you would probably have a world class DDR collection!

Keep up the great work. Before long you'll need a new wing on the house.

Dan

Hi ilja559,

Outstanding collection! Love the fact that so many are to officers and also the fact that several are to the same individual at different times during their careers. Excellent choices! So now I know where all the documents have gone!

Thanks so much for sharing these.

Dan

Hi all,

Soviet, I hope you don't mind me posting this link. I just found this... seems to provide excellent coverage of several bunker sites including the Honecker-Bunker. Fascinating stuff!

http://www.bunkertours.co.uk/germany_2003.htm

Anyhow I hope ya'll enjoy it as much as I am.

Dan

I would guess that 30 dollars would be a fair price.

Regards

Paul

Hi Paul,

Many thanks!

Sure is a shame some idiot had to take off the top. Even if it was damaged in some way it should have been left alone. But I'm sure we've all seen things like this over the years. Sigh.

Dan

Many thanks!

Dan

Hi all,

I tried putting these in the valuation section but so far no replies. Hoping someone can give me a rough idea of value. They've been sitting in a box and I figured they might do someone else some good and I could make a bit towards other items. I'm also open to trades. Had planned to list in the sales section but no clue as to value.

Any help would be deeply appreciated.