Cleaning Ribbons

[Ed Maier]

Just for grins and giggles, I want to expound on this thread a little. Since most here want grubby ribbons as they show battlefield wear, what is you opinion about broken enamel on the Orders, especially if you can see that it was brokon long ago (either with photographic evidence, or a real dark patina)? Do you judge the Order less valuable then a pristine example? Do you repair the enamel? What if the owner repaired the enamel?

Just interested in your opinions,
Ed

[Nota Bene]

Ed,

Good question. Collectors usually want awards in their original condition, but they don't buy awards with damaged enamel unless it is at substantial discount. I am looking forward to the opinions.

Alexei

[tinmoldova]

I wouldn't buy an order, that is a single piece, with significant chips or damage to the enamel unless it was significantly discounted as noted. Even then, I might not buy it as a single piece unless it was ancient and/or documented. I would entertain buying a damaged piece if it was just one piece of several in a documented group. I bought a group where one of the arms of the Red Star had some damage, but it came with a number of more valuable documented pieces.

[Ed Maier]

tinmoldova,

Would your opinion carry over even if the piece was very rare, i.e. a type 1, variation 1 Order of the Great Patriotic War 1st Class. These are next to impossible to find in any condition now and would be expensive in any case? I'm just asking because I am curious about how everyone decides what to collect.

Thanks for your opinion,
Ed

[tinmoldova]

Ed,

I think if the piece were rare, and the damage slight, I would be interested, especially if it were documented and/or the authenticity was not at all questioned.

In terms of my collecting habits, I generally do not have much of the very very high end stuff since I fear (and dare I say burned by) fakes.

[Ed Maier]

Tinmoldova,

Thanks for your opinion.

Take care,
Ed

[tinmoldova]

Ed,

If I were to really want a piece, and could not get it otherwise, I would get one in less than pristine shape. Frankly, I would be naturally suspicious if some of the pieces at that high end were too perfect. I am one inclined not to alter or "improve" upon my pieces by cleaning or repair, so that colors my judgement a bit. If one is inclined to repair (and knows a top notch repair outfit) then the condition wouldnt matter as much as it does to me. I have purchased one or two chipped screwback Red Banners in the past--they were just too rare a piece not to get for the price.