Avers

[Kim]

Shane

The Nr 6 is more of an updated Russian McDaniel book. Lots of colour photos of lots awards, including Republic ones. It has no czarist stuff, badges etc.

Nr 5 is still a great reference for a quick ID of items.

/Kim

[Nota Bene]

Guys,

Correct me if I am wrong, but I think Avers-6 is not very usefull for those who don't read Russian.

Alexei

[scook17]

Well, I've ordered it now, so I'll post some more info when it arrives. Shame it doesn't have colour photos of the badges mind, that would have been nice. I notice you can 'order' individual colour photos of the badges (Avers #5), but how much they cost, is anyone's guess. Avers #2 does have some nice colour plates in it though, and I was a little surprised to see Avers #5 has only black and white images (see thread Avers #5 - Pages 62 to 67). Sounds like I'll be keeping my Avers #5 book.

As for it being in Cyrillic, I'm probably one of the few guys on this forum who is lucky enough to have a Russian wife, who in turn does a great job of translating, this and that, for me when I need her to. I collect Russian awards because I think they are physically more interesting than most awards around the world, interesting designs and colours, and because the Soviet era is part of my wife's history. With the fall of the Soviet union, most people seems happy to embrace the west and anything from the communist era was frowned upon and often discarded as of little value. The revolution and following Soviet era did a huge amount of good for the average soviet citizen, in comparision with thier life under the Zhar (Stalin's purges excluded) or for many Russians, life today.

I have many more Cyrillic reference books than English ones, and having a Russian wife certainly helps with this hobby Anyone interesting in joining the club can PM me and I'm sure she'd be happy to introduce you to some of her friends

Kind Regards,
Shane Cook.

Originally Posted by Nota Bene

Guys,

Correct me if I am wrong, but I think Avers-6 is not very usefull for those who don't read Russian.

Alexei

[Chuck In Oregon]

Avers 6 does have a lot of Russian text, along with its fine photos, but it's not that hard to extract things like variant, years, price and so forth. I, too, think it was mostly an attempt to jump up into the McDaniels league, at which it fails, IMHO. It has some really good Red Banner items, some illustrative, but not comprehensive, award documents, and some gramotas. Again, the gramotas are merely illustrative, something to fill a few pages without tieing them together. About my second or third time through I found myself asking "Why is this in here?"

However, I also collect Soviet badges and I was very disappointed to find that A-6 does nothing in that area. I ordered my copy on faith, in the blind and without ever having seen one. I accept that it may (or may not) be an occasionally useful reference book for orders and medals, but all in all A-6 was a disappointment to me. For those of us here who collect, it is a moderately interesting read or gee-whiz book. However, if I had known of its limited scope I might have saved my money. They were trading on their name when they dreamed this book up. I would have preferred an updated color version of A-5, with variants, and continue to rely on McDaniels for orders and medals. I can't say there is nothing new in A-6, but I think it's way overpriced and offers little new to anyone who reads this forum.

That's my two cents.

Chuck In Oregon
Currently, Chuck In Tbilisi ... for 38 more days!

[Christophe]

A new Avers has just been published : Avers 8. (2008).
Published on 29.02.2008, in Moscow - 2500 copies.736 pages.

It is mainly dedicated to Soviet Badges (1917-1990).

It also includes (amongst others):
* Jetons & Znakis - All types - (1917-...)
* Lenin Stalin & State Prizes
* Titles of Distinction
* VSHV an VDNH medals
* NKVD, MVD, MOOP, KGB Badges
* Deputies Badges
* Sport Badges
* ...

Ch.

[Kirchgoens]

What are the prices like for ORS, BM, etc. in Avers 8? I understand that this recent edition may be the reason why prices doubled in the outlaying areas of the former Soviet Union almost overnight about four months ago.

[Christophe]

Hi,

There is no orders and medals (those of Avers 6 or the PMD) in this book.

Cheers.

Ch.

[Chuck In Oregon]

Thanks for the heads-up Christophe.

I just called a friend in Moscow to get a copy. He checked online and told me that he can get one but it is 7,000 rubles. Wow. I love good reference books and I'd really like to have a comprehensive badge book, but at $300 I'll have to give it some thought. When Avers-6 came out at $100 I balked but bought it anyway. But $300?!

Has anyone actually seen this book yet? Is there a review anywhere?

[Christophe]

Hi Chuck,

RR 7,000 is the price I paid it in Moscow 2 weeks ago.

Cheers.

Ch.

[Nota Bene]

This is crazy, but I guess I will have to buy one anyway

Alexei