Posts: 190
Threads: 10
Joined: Oct 2011
Reputation:
0
Haha, interesting that you brought this up now, because I was just bombarded with these questions by a girl who visited me, lol.
My family asks me about this, A LOT.
Most of the time it is "Why do you burn your money on this?", I mostly answer by saying "Because it is important to preserve history," or from a more business perspective (even though it wouldn't happen) "Because I can sell them for 4 times what I paid when gold and silver-prices rise", or "I can sell them to museums" (lol).
But most of the people are quite shocked when they enter the building. Mostly because it looks like a WW2 bunker with Gulf-war kevlar vests and MICH helmets lying around as if I had started my own civilian-defence group.
But it is certainly a bumper on the women's front...
But I'd rather sacrifice a little bit for the history, rather than not.
It has been a bit dangerous being a collector nowadays. After the 22 of July terror-attacks, many collectors (mostly WW2) have been raided by the police. Which is quite interesting, considering that all of the proper collectors are the most brightly minded people on the planet. Not only at the collecting front, but also at the others.
But daily death threats and other goodies and accusations of being communist is something you'll just have to live with. But hey! I live in a concrete-building 35 meters over everything else by a mountain, filled with items I can "defend" myself with, so them haters are just welcome.
Gabriel
Posts: 12,074
Threads: 2,592
Joined: Jul 2008
Reputation:
0
Believe it or not I never get asked "why?" or similar types of questions, sometimes "what is this or that?" but never "why?".
I usually get asked "where did it come from?", "where did you get it?" or "how on earth do you have something that rare?" but the most common questions are "have you reinforced the floor?" and "how do you store that many?".
That being said Soviet/Communist awards are nowhere near my primary concerns and I have always been known for hoarding things so it must be pretty much expected of me.
With modern communication and electronic payments collecting is easier than it has ever been and I intend to pile up plenty more items (and share the information with the forum) before I'm gone.
"Signed with his own rubber stamp"
Posts: 827
Threads: 99
Joined: Apr 2012
Reputation:
0
07-18-2012, 09:21 AM
(This post was last modified: 07-18-2012, 11:11 AM by Tommy.)
I started collecting in April and only a handful of people know I do. I prefer to keep it quiet, not because i'm afraid of what people will say, just because it's very personal to me  .
My girlfriend is really supportive about it and doesn’t question the money I spend or my reasons why. The only thing she doesn’t quite understand is if I have more than one of the same items.
My family are just concerned that I will spend all my money. My dad collects coins so he doesn’t really question the reasons why I do it, he just wants me to be careful while I’m doing it.
Some friends think its cool, some friends think its stupid and a waste of money and I should be spending my money on going out and getting drunk like them (because that obviously isn’t a waste of money!).
At the end of the day I don’t care what people think. These items make me happy, the friends I’ve made collecting are great and I’m doing my little part to help keep history alive.
Live and let live
Tom
Posts: 82
Threads: 15
Joined: Apr 2011
Reputation:
0
Well as my, father collcets german militaria from WW2 and WW1 I dont have much problems, but when I'm asked I have some answers to choose.
1. Historical aspects(to preserve these objects for future generations)
2. A save investment(soviet orders and medals have a constabt or raising value)
3. The beauty of some orders with there enamel and their high-value metals, such as silver
Posts: 2,449
Threads: 371
Joined: Oct 2004
Reputation:
0
Because it's enjoyable, doesn't hurt anyone, and makes the world a better (or at least better informed) place - further questions?
Posts: 12,074
Threads: 2,592
Joined: Jul 2008
Reputation:
0
Never hurt anyone? I've certainly been injured a few times with pins and sharp edges etc. Not to mention having things fall on you.
Some of us have all the luck!
"Signed with his own rubber stamp"
Posts: 640
Threads: 27
Joined: Apr 2006
Reputation:
0
I have several alternate explanations:
1) "Spoils of War!" (I was 28 years USAF, more than 1/2 of that during cold war)
2) It's art. You collect watercolors and prints, I collect colorful cloth and enamel
3) It's more than art, it's history. Every uniform was worn by somebody. Every medal was awarded to somebody. I'll never know more that 1% of the stories but every piece has a story.
Posts: 605
Threads: 92
Joined: Aug 2010
Reputation:
0
I just tell the wife it's part of my retirement plan and she see seems to trust me there  . Selling will be difficult though, as you get emotionally attached to the awards and their stories. Well, maybe in 2045 I will feel differently. I think we are still getting an artificial view of supply-and-demand since the awards have been flooding the market with the veterans dying. The supply will unfortunately dry up within the next two decades.
Posts: 92
Threads: 13
Joined: Jan 2003
Reputation:
0
07-25-2012, 12:18 AM
(This post was last modified: 07-25-2012, 12:19 AM by Henry Sakaida.)
Alot of people here in the US have this need to collect. Collecting everything and anything: Coins, stamps, old Barbie dolls, barbed wire, firearms, militaria,
autographs, handbags, cars, knives, books, PEZ candy dispensers, movie posters, postcards, pens, watches, binoculars, old dental equipment, typewriters...shall I go on?
Why do I collect Soviet orders and medals? Because of curiosity and the old saying: "If this thing could talk, what a story it could tell!"
When I get the high end stuff, I will try to squeeze it for a story. It there is no possibilty to make it talk, I will not buy it. It has to have a serial number or a connection to a name. That's why I stopped collecting stamps and coins in grammar school. I'm after the story. It's the hunt for the story that thrills me, not the item itself. The item is a tool to help me hunt...it gives me incentive. I have the medal, now, how did it get here? When did it get here? Why did it get here? What happened to the family?
All this stuff will survive me. It will be here long afer I am dead and gone. I do not plan to take it with me. I always tell people that I am the temporary custodian of these medals, NOT the owner. I did not win these medals; the recipient did. Once I solve the mystery, I move on.
I'm working on a case now involving 2 Heroes of Soviet Labor Medals: One belonged to a woman who lived in Moldova, and the other lived in Abkazia. I want to know their stories and how their medals got here!
So, I consider myself a historian rather than a collector. What I do keeps me out of mischief, keeps me busy, and my mind active. I love solving mysteries. I'm not looking to buy anything. However, if I find something that shows promise of being solveable, I am interested!
Life is for living, learning new things, traveling, making friends and acquaintrences, and most of all, having fun. Collecting brings alot of joy to many people.
Posts: 1,498
Threads: 76
Joined: Jul 2002
Reputation:
0
I'm often amazed when visitors don't even notice what's on my walls. I'm not a social person but the majority of the few who do make it within these walls comment on the cat or the sad state of the carpeting.
"patina imparts character" - PJS
A wise man said: 'you should not pay a premium for what you want beyond your comfort level, and always ensure there is a mutually agreeable return policy.'
|
