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what do you think you are doing, any of us do, when we get this stuff? Any of it leaving Russia or the former USSR could be considered robbing the state.
I think its really odd that you would use the word MORAL aimed at me when you are at a soviet collectors forum; whatthe hell do you think we do here? Buy it and send it back? Get off your high horse and look in the mirror before you throw that word at me. I have to say I am really offended Tal.
DD
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06-18-2003, 09:24 PM
(This post was last modified: 06-18-2003, 09:28 PM by Tal Inbar.)
Doug, NO ONE IS SAYING YOU ARE ROBBING ANYTHING.
As a collector of Soviet awards and docs, I am robber like any other member.
I only said there is a difference between buying a veteran's awards and buying stuff from a museum.
Both are in somewhat destroying the state history, and I (I repeat - I) think that buing a museum artifacts is not so good thing to do. In the future, when Russian budget an interest will once again allowed the restoration of museums, perhaps creating new exhibites in the big museums etc. - most of the artifacts will be out of reach and out of Russia.
I never questioned your motives or caracteur, Doug. I am sorry if you are offended, that was never my intention.
BTW, I don't have a horse, so I don't have to Get off...
Tal
Under the banner of Marxism-Leninism, under the leadership of the Communist Party--forward to new victories in the construction of communism!
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Well, I was offended in that it sounded like you were implying that I was less "moral" than others because I knew for certain that some of the items I bring in are from museums. Can you say that you know that none of your items come from museums? Can anyone? If not, then I would say we were all moral equals where ever you rank us.
I don't see the difference in buying from a defunct museum or an old vet. I would rather buy from a museum than the original vet who will actually miss them.
DougD
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Quote:Originally posted by DougD
I don't see the difference in buying from a defunct museum or an old vet. I would rather buy from a museum than the original vet who will actually miss them.
DougD
I can't agree with you more!!!
I would hate to think a vet had to give up his medals and orders just so he can put bread on the table!
Rusty.
"Be civil to all, sociable to many, familiar with few, friend to one, enemy to none." Benjamin Franklin
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I'm considering buying from veteran less moral than buying from museums. I'd rather see veteran keeping his well deserved awards. As Rusty said, the veterans have to sell their medals "so they can put bread on the table" and the state can not help people who sacrificed to defend this state.
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Talking to dealers I know in town they get a lot of kit from widows and other relatives who see no reason to keep them.
Especially if they are not ethnic Russians...they see them as a reminder of the past and perhaps not the real aspects of medals.
I have been offered some this week which were sold soon after the funeral.
I have not been to look at them yet....
Sad.
The irony is I have medals, and if they were sold after the last goodbye I would be well miffed.
I suppose that makes me a hypocrite
Chris
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One way I cope with the dilemma of moral value, etc. is by reiterating to myself that I am simply "rescuing" these awards from being thrown out and laying in the garbage can somewhere because the awardee's family may not care for these memories.
Of course I would be lying if I said that this thought applies to every award I "hunt" for (btw please check my entry in the WANTED section), but this thought helped me to get over the initial moral struggle I went through.
It also helps to have other collecting friends in one's life who share this interest in this fascinating (if not weird) hobby. I also have a fair amount of family support who may not really understand spending hundreds and thousands of $$$ on pieces of precious metal, but will certainly appreciate the beauty and the nostalgia that comes with them.
Eric
Soviet Union is the only country with an unpredictable ... past!
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Actually I don't think of them as my medals....I treat them with respect and one day I will pass them on ....I hope that respect will continue.
I don't do it to make a buck although I appreciate this has to be done otherwise they would be trashed if they have no value and we would have no conduit to find them
Chris
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When I started my hobby (Fall 2002) I never thought about this issue. Later some of my relatives and friends stated that it’s not very ethical to collect medals and orders of people, who might gave their lives for it. I was disagreeing, saying that I am saving the memories of those people from being destroyed or thrown away.
I am glad we started this discussion. In my opinion, every of us collecting medals and orders does not plan to make a nice ring from gold of those medals. We take care of our collections, frame them and proud of them. What is wrong with it? I don’t see anything wrong. We learn more from our Forum and discussions about Soviet Union. What is wrong with it? Nothing!
Look at this as saving something valuable, which stopped being valuable for another person/family/country. What is wrong with it? I can be only proud if I and other people do it. If somebody buy (not steals) medals, it means that somebody sells them.
Again, I am very glad we have this discussion about the issue that bothered me all this time.
Eric.
