Customer Reviews

German Military Collectibles Price Guide

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This book is so out of date it isn't even funny. Save your money and buy a real book on German collecting from a reputiable writer. This book is a complete waste of time and money.

Concise is being generous. Skip this book, Whitmans are the ones to buy.

Published by the reknowned Manions' Auction Company, this small book is a concise price guide to german militeria. Included in the price guide is almost everything: books, helmets, medals, badges, uniforms, photos, identification books, posters etc.. Heavily illustrated with small photographs and concisely described, the items number in the thousands. Sadly, however, the prices listed are now almost seven years out of date. It is now rare for example, to find an original Second World War, Iron Cross First Class for only $85.00. A good supplemental reference work and a useful "floor" price reference, this book provides a good representation of items usually offered for sale on the open market. This book however,is by no means comprehensive. It should never be used to completely authenticate an item.

Prior to the demise of the Manion family ownership, the price guide only tells of the auction price, but not really the price that Manions (at that time) were loading up onto the purchase or selling of any item with commission, shipping, handling, insurance. I have receipts of both activities to prove this near 50% addition. Sadly but true, it is best to ignore this book - look to better and more reliable sources that truly reflect the prices one can expect to see in this weeks auction or buy-me-now.
In fairness to the Auction house taken over by Jody, go review their web site and see for yourself, plus there are very good dealers out there that cleanly and easily display their wares & charges - Jamie Cross Militaria, R.M.Militaria, DandB Militaria, MandT Militaria, Berliner-auktionshaus to give you an idea.

If you buy this book, it's for the pretty pictures.
Dr. Syn 2011