Avers Series

[scook17]

Tal,

I have both of these books and they are quite useful as a reference. I particularly like the colour plates in the second book. However, the prices quoted are a bit of a joke.

Kind Regards,
Shane Cook.

[Tal Inbar]

Contains quality b/w images of both Imperial Russian and Soviet decorative art items. Russian language.
Shows vast array of artifacts including cigarette cases, beakers, fine silverware, porcelain, busts, watches, samovars, icons etc.

[Nota Bene]

Gentlemen,

Just to add to the thread, here are Avers 1, 3, and 4, and a pirated version of 5(I).

Alexei

[scook17]

Alexei,

Four looks interesting, and is one I don't have. Does this cover soviet awards as well? BTW, my Avers #1 is an A4 sized paperback version, not a hardback as you have. I assume, therefore, there are at least two editions.

Kind Regards,
Shane Cook.

[redstar_co]

Is this the book that Russian dealers wrote and use as THEIR refernce when they buy from someone who is not a aware of the real value? I remember there were talks about some books like that, I dont remember if they were Avers or not.

[Tal Inbar]

That's the book.

Tal

[Mark Signa]

ABERC #6
SOVIET ORDERS AND MEDALS

by V.Krivtsov, Moscow, 2003, text in Russian, 431 pages.

will buy and post some pictures.
Mark

[Kim]

Great Mark, post lots of pics! But I think that we are talking about the same book here: AVERS No:6.

I'm waiting for my very own copy. With a bit of luck and help from the russian postal system, and to a small extent the swedish, I hope to have my copy this week.


So I guess that I’m the first member of this forum to get a AVERS 6… Now that I have a copy I can write the review I asked for.

AVERS 6
Author: V.D. Krivtsov (ed.)

The bad things with this book are, as I see it:

• It’s all in Russian. This might come as a surprise to the authors, but Russian is not a language widely spread (like for example Swedish… ;) ).
  
  I miss photos of the documents that came with the order/medal. Now there are some photos, but mostly of the rarer type of “paper” (Ushakov medal, cavalier of the order of Glory etc.) This is not really bad because few collectors will ever see the rare documents live. But there is great variation when it comes to documents not just in medal-hard ware. Perhaps a AVERS 7 will deal with documents only? Or …
  
  Hidden serialnumbers. There are probably reasons to hide the number, protect the seller, owner etc.. But when you write a book I think you have to show information, not hide it. This is only done with high-end stuff, so I will never suffer from this lack of hidden information.

Now to the good sides of this book:

•  The photos are very good and plentiful. Quality is much better than “Orders of the Soviet republics” or “Medals of the USSR” (good books, but terrible photo quality).
   Medals and orders are shown with all(?) known variations.
   The Republican orders are all shown.
   Market prices on all variations. This is standard AVERS, but these prices are REALITY, or as close an avers book has ever come. A bit low, but to my knowledge very close to what you will have to pay. Although I would like to see a partisan medal document book for 7-12usd.
   Photos of fakes/copies. Perhaps it could have been more, but you always want more… :)

The one main thing I can’t judge is the text, as my Russian is close to non-existent. Perhaps someone of the forums Russian speakers could give a comment?

Now to the reason for writing a review: is it anything to spend money on? I say: Yes. It’s no McDaniel but has lots of images that is missing from the “Comprehensive guide”.

/Kim

[Mark Signa]

Found Averc 6 on e-Bay - starting price - $125 - costly!!
Mark

Originally Posted by Kim

So I guess that I’m the fist member of this forum to get a AVERS 6… Now that I have a copy I can write the review I asked for.

AVERS 6
Author: V.D. Krivtsov (ed.)

The bad things with this book are, as I see it:

• It’s all in Russian. This might come as a surprise to the authors, but Russian is not a language widely spread (like for example Swedish… ;) ).
  
  I miss photos of the documents that came with the order/medal. Now there are some photos, but mostly of the rarer type of “paper” (Ushakov medal, cavalier of the order of Glory etc.) This is not really bad because few collectors will ever see the rare documents live. But there is great variation when it comes to documents not just in medal-hard ware. Perhaps a AVERS 7 will deal with documents only? Or …
  
  Hidden serialnumbers. There are probably reasons to hide the number, protect the seller, owner etc.. But when you write a book I think you have to show information, not hide it. This is only done with high-end stuff, so I will never suffer from this lack of hidden information.

Now to the good sides of this book:

•  The photos are very good and plentiful. Quality is much better than “Orders of the Soviet republics” or “Medals of the USSR” (good books, but terrible photo quality).
   Medals and orders are shown with all(?) known variations.
   The Republican orders are all shown.
   Market prices on all variations. This is standard AVERS, but these prices are REALITY, or as close an avers book has ever come. A bit low, but to my knowledge very close to what you will have to pay. Although I would like to see a partisan medal document book for 7-12usd.
   Photos of fakes/copies. Perhaps it could have been more, but you always want more… :)

The one main thing I can’t judge is the text, as my Russian is close to non-existent. Perhaps someone of the forums Russian speakers could give a comment?

Now to the reason for writing a review: is it anything to spend money on? I say: Yes. It’s no McDaniel but has lots of images that is missing from the “Comprehensive guide”.

/Kim

[Kim]

125usd is too much. But it's worth 70-80usd.

/Kim