Exporting Of Items.

[Henry Sakaida]

Not to put a damper on collecting, but I no longer collect the stuff. I'm just after the stories and the medals just provided an interesting "excuse" to go on my ventures! After the Umurdinov medal return was written up in Russian, that is my passport. When I write to Soviet veterans and organizations, I always include the article, and my inquieries are always well received.
But I still get very excited when I see interesting groups! There are so many various medals and orders out there, a budding collector should specialize. When I first started collecting, I was torn between collecting the "Capture of..." medals and the Red Banners and Lenins. Then I decided to get a Type 1 and 2 Hero Star before the prices skyrocket. I'm still trying to become an expert on the Hero Star.
If you can afford it, get a Hero Star first, then there will be no more pressure since you have the top stuff. Then work down to a Lenin or the Red Banners.
Most people who go to Ukraine or Russia from here cannot afford to be detained for questioning at the airport when your plane is about to leave! Better not to pack medals if you are planning to fly...better stick to ground transportation!
I hope we are NOT encouraging anyone to engage in illicit behavior! It is not for the amateur. But it would be exciting to get away with it!

[new world]

Here it is - prohibited for sale Congressional Medal of Honor

Major auction house in Europe will have Medal of Honor for sale on the upcoming May 17th auction.

It is a Medal of Honor awarded to a Pvt. Albert Sale, a member of F Company, 8th US Cavalry. It was awarded to Pvt. Sale in 1870 as a result of actions taken during the Indian Wars against the Chiracahuan Apaches.

[new world]

reverse MoH:

[new world]

Here's another one - someone from Canada put it for sale on eBay.

Note the different suspension - this one was for the Navy personnel:

[new world]

Reverse of naval MoH:

[new world]

I just read an article following the recent high profile arrests in Moscow, with some high-ranking corrupt officers - mostly Colonels - from Moscow Criminal Police Force (MUR) were detained by the authorities.

Naturally, their residences were searched and all their belongings were retained by the state. They had al sorts of expensive items, such as thousands of $$$ in cash, multiple houses, cars, weapons, antiques, etc. The most outrageos items were gold-plated toilets????!!!!!! LOL

I was reading the list of confiscated items and noticed that some of the criminals were also awards collectors!!!!

And quite serious collectors I'd say. For example, one of the Colonels had collection of orders and medals valued at around USD $1 million!!!!

I am just trying to imagine what sorts of rare items were in his collection :confused: :rant:

Are these the types of collectors who are largely responsible for the recent hikes in prices for the Soviet awards?
I mean when these guys buy - they probably don't bargaing for the price - they just pay whatever is asked, driving the prices up through the roof...

Here's the link in Russian:

http://www.kp.ru/daily/23058/4572/


Best regards,
William

[HuliganRS]

From what it sounds like in the article the awards were partly Imperial... It looks like these guys like antiques!

Talk about living LARGE.

Rusty.

[Bone Collector]

Cool, if I were a corrupt russian police I'd definately do the same :eek:

[Dave]

Originally posted by new world
I mean when these guys buy - they probably don't bargaing for the price - they just pay whatever is asked, driving the prices up through the roof...

Actually, who's to say that they even BOUGHT them! From reading the article, looks like maybe that was 'confiscated' loot! Hey, if a criminal had a nice collection, why not make it your own?

--Dave

[HuliganRS]

Dave is right!
It's called the Russian way: What's yours is mine, what's mine is mine!!!