Orders and Decorations

[Nicholas 51]

Am I alone on this one, but I am unable to see the interest that anyone would have in collecting orders and decorations unless you are a relative of the award recipient?

[Rob 3,152]

You are not alone, but the tendency for people to collect anything that isn't nailed down should not be underestimated. You only have to see Have I Got News For You's guest publications to appreciate that. Barbed Wire Weekly anyone?

Edited November 1, 2014 by Rob

[TomGoodheart 403]

It seems to me that the history behind such items is of major importance for serious collectors.

From noticing occasional listings it seems to me that the major interest is in scarce awards (particularly for bravery, such as the Victoria Cross) as one might expect.

More common medals and the like sell for relatively little, unless accompanied by additional material which tell the purchaser about the individual to whom the medals were awarded. I for example have no real idea what to do with my Dad's medals (which combining British and Polish awards are a relatively scarce group) or my Grandfather's memorabilia from the ORP Błyskawica (of little interest outside of Poland I expect) ...

Which isn't to say that there aren't those who collect any sort of order or decoration (including masonic and civil) in the same way there are coin collectors who aim to find an example from each country or century or whatever. There are 'completists' in any area of collecting after all!

I guess masonic regalia is perhaps a separate specialist interest... Either way, I suspect all collectors find others' areas of interest a bit odd! I can't imagine many fans of Beanie Babies see the appeal of old disks of metal people haven't used for years any more than bottle caps or marbles! Each to their own I guess!

.

Edited November 1, 2014 by TomGoodheart

[Rob 3,152]

Virtually all collecting is done from an historical perspective, whether it's coins, medals, Dinky toys etc.

[DaveG38 408]

Virtually all collecting is done from an historical perspective, whether it's coins, medals, Dinky toys etc.

That's true, although medals and awards are very personal to the individual or family, whereas toys, coins etc. generally aren't. Like others on here, I've got my dad's few medals from WW2 and an uncle's medals from WW1, neither of which are in any way rare, and I neither want to part with them for sentimental reasons, nor do they inspire me to collect any others. I certainly can't see why anybody else would take an interest in them or want to collect them.

[damian1986 142]

Really? Who wouldn't want to own one of these...

Brian: http://www.dnw.co.uk/auction-archive/catalogue-archive/lot.php?department=Medals&lot_id=54027

[Peckris 579]

Really? Who wouldn't want to own one of these...

Brian: http://www.dnw.co.uk/auction-archive/catalogue-archive/lot.php?department=Medals&lot_id=54027

^.^