I found this pocket guide in my father's belongings. It is a guide given to soldiers when they entered Germany in World War II. There are some water stains on the first couple of pages and the pages are understandably yellowed with age. Other than that it is in excellent condition. There are 48 pages which includes a basic language guide.

I was thinking of offering it for auction on eBay but don't know where I should start the bidding. Any thoughts of how to do this?

 

There are some water stains on the first couple of pages

Probably more like beer!

What about the value as a family 'heirloom'?
Max.

 

Probably more like beer!
If you knew my Dad. Likely not. He would get sick on any more than 2 cans of beer. Though it might be a good selling point. Stained by beer from an authentic Oktoberfest.

What about the value as a family 'heirloom'?

I am really not the sentimental type. I would rather have someone that appreciates it have it. It will likely just wind up in a drawer for me.

 

I recall one of the first posters on ebay, the lady had an old beer can in prime condition, she thought it might be worth a couple of $$, so as a newbee to Ebay, she listed at a start of $1.50 more of an exercise in posting a picture with her camera.
I seem to remember it went in excess of $1,500, much to her shock it was evidently a collectors item!
Max.

 

Probably more like beer!

What about the value as a family 'heirloom'?
Max.

Max could you help me with my thought, he has me on his all time ignore list. IMHO But, this is a very thought provoking subject to me, WWII is one of my favorite periods of time in history. I personally could not own a copy of something someone else obtain during one of the most pivotal times in history, by sacrificing your life to honor your country. It seems of little value but offering it to the war Museum came to my mind first thing.

Just a thought. Good Thread Spinner.

kv

 

I was thinking of offering it for auction on eBay but don't know where I should start the bidding. Any thoughts of how to do this?

ummm - find out everything you can about the book, including any prices. Here is what I found during a time out in the football game I am listening to:

https://www.ebay.ie/itm/Vintage-194...930913?hash=item4b2e92f821:g:igAAAOSw2nNZ8BFz

http://ncojournal.dodlive.mil/tag/kansas/

http://www.historynet.com/unstoppable-force.htm

 

, this is a very thought provoking subject to me, WWII is one of my favorite periods of time in history. I personally could not own a copy of something someone else obtain during one of the most pivotal times in history, by sacrificing your life to honor your country. It seems of little value but offering it to the war Museum came to my mind first thing.
kv

I grew up during this time in history, and unfortunately did not save some of the memento's collected during the German invasion.
I do remember taking a piece of shrapnel that came through our roof one night to show-and-tell at school, it fit inside my gas mask case.
The museum idea is good.!
Max.
.

 

I was thinking of offering it for auction on eBay but don't know where I should start the bidding. Any thoughts of how to do this?

The problem is what's called asymmetrical information in game theory. If you have no idea, as a seller, what something is worth, there's a risk that your auction will end without the right buyer coming along to pay a fair price. If you already know the fair price, the eBay listing options make it simple to avoid a sale taking place without a fair offer.

I'm not sure this is a good candidate for eBay. I'd try to find local enthusiasts that might have some advice. Where I live, there's a big annual WWII reenactment event year. I'd take it there and show it around.

It's like casting your line into a trout hole versus just randomly into the sea.

 

The problem is what's called asymmetrical information in game theory. If you have no idea, as a seller, what something is worth, there's a risk that your auction will end without the right buyer coming along to pay a fair price. If you already know the fair price, the eBay listing options make it simple to avoid a sale taking place without a fair offer.

I'm not sure this is a good candidate for eBay. I'd try to find local enthusiasts that might have some advice. Where I live, there's a big annual WWII reenactment event year. I'd take it there and show it around.

It's like casting your line into a trout hole versus just randomly into the sea.

It's a great idea. They would really enjoy a piece of history they continue to keep alive.

kv

 

Collectors are a fussy lot, so any damage, foxing etc lowers the value and appeal.
You could try advertising that you want to buy 'one like this' and see if anyone specifies an asking price.
Anything like it on Craig's List?

 

Collectors are a fussy lot, so any damage, foxing etc lowers the value and appeal.
You could try advertising that you want to buy 'one like this' and see if anyone specifies an asking price.
Anything like it on Craig's List?

Our market is so tiny on Craigslist I doubt it would get any notice. And I hat selling on craigslist. Too many game players.

 

I found this pocket guide in my father's belongings. It is a guide given to soldiers when they entered Germany in World War II. There are some water stains on the first couple of pages and the pages are understandably yellowed with age. Other than that it is in excellent condition. There are 48 pages which includes a basic language guide.

I was thinking of offering it for auction on eBay but don't know where I should start the bidding. Any thoughts of how to do this?


View attachment 141354

About $30. Maybe more because yours looks in better condition. Maybe less if you post it now (people don't buy collectibles for themselves around Christmas, people don't buy such specialized items for other person who may be a collector).

Post it on eBay for $15 starting bid and see what happens. The old soldiers who remember this book are few and anyone else may think other collectibles would be more interesting. Tough

https://www.ebay.com/itm/ORIGINAL-W...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

 

I would think the German one would have more meaning since the War began and Ended there.

kv

 

I would think the German one would have more meaning since the War began and Ended there.

kv

Sure, but it is still paper.

Most people prefer to collect and display objects made of metal or cloth than paper. Paper pamphlets and pooklets are typically a hard sell because you need a buyer who wants to study the contents of the investment rather than display it as part of a collection. Also, they are so plentiful and cheap that nobody kept them (which you think would make them valuable) but since nobody kept them, there is no demand for them and no market price. There are some things that are rare and valuable, but those rare valuable things are typically part of a collection (like a published list of baseball cards) where "completists" are willing to pay a premium to complete their collection.

I doubt the book in question is one in a popular series of government publication!

 

Sure, but it is still paper.

Most people prefer to collect and display objects made of metal or cloth than paper. Paper pamphlets and pooklets are typically a hard sell because you need a buyer who wants to study the contents of the investment rather than display it as part of a collection. Also, they are so plentiful and cheap that nobody kept them (which you think would make them valuable) but since nobody kept them, there is no demand for them and no market price. There are some things that are rare and valuable, but those rare valuable things are typically part of a collection (like a published list of baseball cards) where "completists" are willing to pay a premium to complete their collection.

I doubt the book in question is one in a popular series of government publication!

I collect Guitars, they have a reasonable resale value, I have no clue what paper back or paper books would even be valued. But, your explanation clears things up for me.

I've tried collecting some books, but I found they have little to no value, they just look cool.

kv

 

Sure, but it is still paper.

Most people prefer to collect and display objects made of metal or cloth than paper. Paper pamphlets and pooklets are typically a hard sell because you need a buyer who wants to study the contents of the investment rather than display it as part of a collection. Also, they are so plentiful and cheap that nobody kept them (which you think would make them valuable) but since nobody kept them, there is no demand for them and no market price. There are some things that are rare and valuable, but those rare valuable things are typically part of a collection (like a published list of baseball cards) where "completists" are willing to pay a premium to complete their collection.

I doubt the book in question is one in a popular series of government publication!

Explain comic books then.


Or stamps.

 

Why couldn't I find a stock certificate for 100 shares of IBM in the book.

 

Explain comic books then.


Or stamps.

As I said, comic books are one in a series that people collect (a collection with one missing is hardly a collection with having - that is why people collect crap!

Yours is one of 400,000 government publications from 1944 - hardly worth starting.

 

The value depends on how many of that document we're printed.

If a half million we're printed and 100 are known to exist, it has more value.

 

The value depends on how many of that document we're printed.

If a half million we're printed and 100 are known to exist, it has more value.

More than what?
More value than if 99 are known to exist? I doubt it. Why do you think 100 is the perfect number?