If you guys want to know about German medals and awards--buy this book: "FORMAN'S Guide to Third Reich German Awards...And Their Values. Written By: Adrian Forman. Published by Bender and Price is (IF you can get one)probably about $70.00. In my many postings on medals and badges in the top most forum--this is where im getting many details from--to post there.
While Forman's Guides are good basis reference books, they just too many fakes portrayed as original. Detlev Neimann's book ORDEN UND EHRENZEICHEN DEUTSCHLAND 1871-1945, is a great overall guide. However, many especially references such as Gordon Williamson's new book, THE IRON CROSS OF 1939 is a up to date reference on the subject. Stephen Previteria's book THE IRON TIMES covers the Iron Cross from 1913 to 1957 quite well with photographs of the highest quality and interesting factual information..
Stephans book is a nice one but not at over $100.00. I normally would not give Gordon a "plug" but his book actually looks nice (Borrowed that one too ) but i'll not spend my money on a book by someone who has pissed off many Knights Cross vets by ripping them off. I'd rather have a nice L/19 Ek 1 than that book. Recently got a nice one for $125.00 and an L/56 U Boat Badge--near-mint too. The forums gave both the big thumbs up--and have no problems with them. [ 13. November 2002, 04:26 PM: Message edited by: C.Evans ]
I bought the Formans guide and like the number of awards and cases that are described but it's not very useful for fake detection I think. What do you think about it?
Hi Volkbert. Its great for info on the real items and you can somewhat compare real stuff to fakes using it. I just wish the pictures were all in color. I havent seen really anything out there on fakes that is really any good. Take "Detecting The Fakes" for example. Cheaply done and in black and white--and using only the obvious fakes--which are very crude looking and even someone with zero expreiance can probably tell the difference. Formans is pretty good in my opinion for the most part--but definately should not be the only refenance book to own. I think to date--I think I have around 40 or so referance books and im looking for more.
