Avers Series

[scook17]

I noticed there are a number of AVERS catalogues. I acquired one recently, the first one I would imagine by the prices quoted. I noticed the newer ones contains colour photos.

Is there any point in getting the whole set of Avers books, or is each book just a reprint of the previous one?

Kind Regards,
Shane Cook.

[Dave]

Shane-

I've got several of the AVERS books, going as far back as the 'original' AVERS from 1993, and all of them have different stuff in them. For example, AVERS 5 is made to be a 'handbook' to carry to shows and markets, AVERS 1 has a lot larger pictures, more descriptions and even a few award documents.

It all depends on what you want to use the books for... I use them to identify Soviet badges that I get with groups, and that's about it. For that, almost any of them are good, though over time, more badges made it into the later ones. Other versions of AVERS have badges from the Republics and such.

My answer to your question doesn't help you much, but here it is: if you can find them at reasonable prices, buy what you find. It doesn't hurt to have more reference books than you use... It's the lack of references that causes folks to trip up from time to time.

Hope that helped...

--Dave

[k3rvmfusa]

I have acquired several of this series as well. They are a handy reference, especially for the multitude of badges.

The very 1st edition became widely popular when it came out-- at least photocopied excerpts of selected pages. These photocopies became the standard price reference at the Moscow medal flea markets, and were widely available from 1993-1994. You may notice that the prices seem a little low, even by standards of the time. I understand that the original developers of the booklets intended them to show private citizens how much their medals were worth in order to acquire them at cheap prices.

Be that as it may, the quality and usability of this series has improved over the years.

[scook17]

I received my Avers #2 and Avers #5 books today. They are a big improvement on Avers #1. I quite liked both books.

I noticed the Avers #5 was published in 2001, yet the prices quoted seem to be somewhat low in comparison to what I've seen badges for sale for. Any comments?

Kind Regards,
Shane Cook.

[new world]

Shane,

Prices in Avers catalogues are not real, they are way too low even for Russia back in the 90s or in 2001 when these guides were published.

There is a rumor that these books were put together by the group of dealers for the purpose of creating a reference for the potential sellers. The trick was to crete illusions of low prices, so the dealers can buy these awards at dirt cheap levels from poor veterans.

Just look at the page 62 in Avers #5-1. There is no way the price for Meritorous Pilot Badge is $25-30 or for People's Artist of the USSR is $7-10!

[Nota Bene]

New world,

That's not a rumor, but a sad fact. "Avers" bnooks were written by Krivtsov and Co of "Gelos" auction house in Moscow. They buy those items from individual sellers, and sell them at auctions.

BTW, Parashoote Tester Badge in Avers-5 is valued at $30-35. LOL!

Alexei

[new world]

I saw this on eBay. Here's seller's description:

"Here we're offering a great example of Russian "Capitalistic" Business Mind at it's best!!

Few years ago collectible dealers of Moscow decided to issue a PURCHASING Catalogue. To my understanding it added a new meaning to the word "Catalogue". They put everything in this book, whatever is worth collecting (or buying and selling) in Russia.

The trick was that the prices (in US dollars) were actually much lower then the actual market prices. That is how it worked: say you are a teenager having your grandfathers "Order of Lenin" and you decide to sell the decoration. So you approach somebody on the flea market with the offer to sell the thing, and you are shown the catalogue which states that the book value of the decoration is $270. So you agree at a "Kosher" price of $240.00. But the market value of the decoration is $380.00 for very many years.

As we said this catalogue has everything: Imperial and Communist coins; Imperial and Communist Orders and Medals; Imperial and Communist Badges. Even Nazi decorations are there! (The catalogue doesn't have: Icons, jewellery, stamps. To my understanding these dealers refuse to share the expenses of printing the catalogue.)

This book is not beautiful as soon as it was never meant to be sold to public! From the very beginning it had under-the-table meaning. Why I am recommending the book: It has zillion of pictures and it will give you the understanding of the market prices in Russia (just add 50-100% to the written value).

The book is very ,very handy, it will help you on many occasions. The catalogue has 192 pages, it is paper back, million pictures. It's title : "Avers""

I think what we have here is the very first Avers catalogue from 1992.

Just look at the prices:

Hero SU Star - $450,
Ushakov 2nd cl - $1500,
Suvorov 1st cl on suspension - $2500,
Suvorov 3rd cl screwback - $200,
Kutuzov 1st cl on suspension - $2000,
Khmelnitsky 1st cl - $1500,
Nevsky - $70 !!!!


Unbelievable!!! I wish I could buy few awards for these prices :)

[Tal Inbar]

The First in the series.

[scook17]

New World,

Tal is correct, it's Avers #1. I bought this book from the same person you quoted from Ebay. It's sort of interesting, as it's got lots of pictures of badges and most soviet medals/orders. It has a lot of imperial Russian stuff, which I'm not interested in. However, it was a very cheap book to buy, I guess because no one wants it, so I bought it.

Kind Regards,
Shane Cook.

[Tal Inbar]

Avers 2. Soviet Badges and Jetons",by V. Krivtsov, Moscow, 1996. In Russian and English, 193 pages. Shows color photos and detailed black-and white drawings of over 1300 military, police, labor, and political badges including early issues and rare varieties items. Dates are not always accurate and prices given in $US are not an indication of anything.