To all new Collectors

[Red trooper]

To all new CollectorsI have been collecting Soviet medals for over a year, a novice in respect of the other members and the knowledge they have shown on the forum. I think of myself as quick learner, well I got the basics, for example all the names and histories of the orders and medals of the Soviet Union from which led to their variations and types.

So to any new collector I am not the one to seek advice from, but that’s where you’re wrong. For a year I became a professional in throwing good money after Soviet medals which in the end are fakes or at best copies.

I got into collecting Soviet medals because of a chance buying of an Order of the Red flag, the detail artwork with enamel, silver and gold got me hooked. One need not explain the reasons for continuing as everybody in this forum knows why they collect medals of the Soviet Unions. From one medal led to anther then onto buying groups.

So what is my advice well it is very simple, read and read try to look at every page in this forum it will help you to gain knowledge on the subject. Buy books for reference the best as I have found is The Comprehensive Guide to Soviet orders and medals" by Paul McDaniel and Paul J. Schmitt, the bible of soviet medals. It may cost $95+ but trust me it money well spent and if I got it a year ago it would of save me 10 times that number. This forum has had the same affect; money saved knowledge gained so many thanks too all the other members and hats off to the Founder.

I have notice a donation thread, send me a link and I put back in some of what I have gained through reading many a pages in the forum. Collecting is and should be fun but it is also very addictive, the buying of the odd fakes has not put me off, if anything the positive side is the learning curve and I have something to compare with the originals that I have now brought.

[Art]

Welcome aboard Red Trooper! Glad to hear you enjoy the forum. You can make a donation in whatever amount you'd like. It all goes towards a good cause (this forum). If you donate $20, you can post wanted and forsale listings on the forum.

If you'd like to read the forum donation FAQ, visit it here:

http://soviet-awards.com/legal.htm#forumfund

You can find the link to donate via PayPal in the Marketplace FAQ located here:

http://www.soviet-awards.com/forum/showt...php?t=2705

Thank you, and if you have any questions drop me a line.

Art

[Red trooper]

Many thanks Art it’s taken over 3 month before I found a reason to make a thread and get directly involved in the Forum.

Each time I had a question, a quick search of the Forum and I found my answer. In some ways it has stop me from posting a thread earlier, but it’s a good measure of the success of the Forum.

Added advices to any mew member, check other threads because a high percentage of the answers you are looking for are there.

[Dolf]

Red trooper,

Welcome aboard, "neighbour".

Anything interesting in Spain, concerning these Soviet Awards? Clubs, flea markets, serious meetings? Thanks.

Best,

Dolf

[Nota Bene]

Red Trooper,

!Bienvenido a nuestro forum - el sitio del Internet mas importante para todos los coleccionistas de la Union Sovietica! Sorry, I couldn't resist

When you have a moment please visit the Fakes section.

Alexei

[Red trooper]

Thanks Dolf, at the moment no club exists that I know of, but as for markets there are many. Alicante has one on Sundays but I’ve still to find where it is. I live in Javea 90km to the north of Alicante, in a nearby town called Jalon there is a great flea market on Saturdays.

I’ve found many a medal normally British or German and some French due to the Ex pat who live in the area. These I sell on to fuel my hobby, as it is money the wife don’t know about. Only two Soviet medal turn up at the market an order of the Red star and an order of the Red banner both excellent as now confirmed from my searching.

Javea is a small town great for holidays, but a bit cut off from the collecting world so the internet is where I mainly search, or when I go off on vacations to Britain. Lucky I now buy from some great deals some of which I have seen in the forum.

Hi Alexei I’ve spent many a night in the threads on fakes and its has help me a lot, I have also read through your own web page on the subject and took your written advise before I brought a Strengthening Military Cooperation.

Thanks for the welcome great to be here, all the best Terry

[Tal Inbar]

Every collector in the forum was once a new one!
The new collectors now has what I have not - this very forum!

Use it well and you will have fewer problems and more $$$$ in your pocket, to buy more g e n u i n e Soviet awards.

Tal