Greetings,
Many, many moons ago (back in the late '60s) I began my quest for knowledge of the Third Reich. Let's say my allowance would not cover postage let alone an Iron Cross 1st Class for an earth-shattering $5.00. So I had to be content with drawing these awards on paper, cutting them out, and taping them on my makeshift feldbluse. Still trying to figure out the rank structure I remember one day when I bought a Tamya Kublewagon set, I open the box, and when the directions spilled out so did the rank structure of the SS (Schutze to Sturmbanfuhrer). Well, it was frustrating that the ranks were described in Japanese but what a find. You'd think I had just discovered the Lost Scrolls of the Library of Alexandria (remember I was only 10). SS information. I knew enough that subject was VERBOTEN!
OK - OK so what am I asking? There was a collector I stumbled upon in the very early 70s. I think I actually found them from the back of a collector magazine and wrote them. Here is what I remember. The catalog would arrive folded and stapled. I think the color of this catalog was tan. There were no color pictures. One item that was always displayed first was the Red Cross neck award. Now that I was getting an allowance and doing some neighborhood jobs, I was actually able to afford some of these items (they were billed as post-war). I just never could get enough money for the epaulets (though I have quite a few now). There was always a picture of them paired. I do remember getting an Afrika Korps officer's breast eagle with a dark brown backing. I think they also showed caps but not uniforms and of course the awards. The hell with Playboy, the nerve of these people dangling a Knights Cross in front of me. And me on my lawn mowing allowance.
I think they eventually move to Hawaii and then I lost contact. My question is does the catalog I described, the mid 70's, the color of this catalog that came folded over and stapled, tan in color and about 10 pages sound familiar? Why this urge to go back into Mr. Peabody's Wayback machine? I just moved and when I was setting up my library and collection I came across a cheap plastic award box and when I opened it there was an Iron Cross 1st Class marked, from that collector back in 1972. Now with my experience, I realized it was authentic, not fake! All the times I would look at that catalog like the Sears Wishbook, I can see everything in my mind BUT the name. I would love to see it or at least remember the name.
It's not Unique Imports nor World War II LTD. I know this particular company is long gone BUT would be great to get a copy of that catalog/pamphlet for old times' sake and reference. It's where I started collecting.
Thank you for your time and if it does sound familiar, I would be grateful!
"Who will fly with Stachel?"
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