RaymondG
21st July 2008, 16:29
This is this first book by Tom Durante and to describe the book as a 'comprehensive guide' fails to give true credit to the standard of the book that has been produced. One book collector remarked to me upon receiving his copy that it had set a new standard for such books and when you see the test pages in this thread, you would be hard pressed to disagree.
In short, the book sets out to illustrate the various makers and grades of the Close Combat Clasp, Germany’s highest combat decoration of World War II.
Each maker is methodically presented along with every respective variation produced in unrivalled detail and clarity. The seemingly endless variants of the enigmatic A.G.M.u.K. clasp are systematically and completely catalogued as never before.
Previously unknown makers of three types of unmarked Close Combat Clasps are also identified and evidence is meticulously displayed for the first time in this volume. Award cases, documents, miniatures and the variants of the elusive Gold Presentation Clasp are also studied and supplemented by many never seen photographs in this all-encompassing work.
Over 310 pages and 875 colour photographs, this volume is a must have for both the experienced and novice collector alike.
The book covers every original variant of the Close Combat Clasp ever produced and contains the following areas:
*60+ pages solely devoted to the mind-numbing myriad of AGMuK variants and neatly categorizes them into easily-recognizable groups
*Identification/connection of 3 unmarked CCCs to known makers
*A "Chart of Finishes" after each maker section showing examples of the different types of finishes used by each company and the different wear patterns that can be found on originals by each maker
*Gold Presentation Close Combat Clasp and its variants as well as detailed pictures of each different case these rare awards came in
*In-depth section on the "History & Regulations" of the CCC
*Award Documents, showcasing all types from the typical format to the ultra-rare variants
*Miniatures
*Reproductions, showing 13 of the most up to date and high quality fakes on the market today along with several fake packet examples
*Section on "Future Research" depicting examples of how many of the AGMuK CCCs could possibly be attributed to several makers in the Gablonz area
Details:
Title: The German Close Combat Clasp of World War II
Author: Thomas M. Durante
Publisher: Papjay Publishing
ISBN: 978-90-81230-11-7
Size: 310 pages (full color), 6" x 9" hard-cover
Language: English
Price: €69.95
Available from: www.papjay.com
In short, the book sets out to illustrate the various makers and grades of the Close Combat Clasp, Germany’s highest combat decoration of World War II.
Each maker is methodically presented along with every respective variation produced in unrivalled detail and clarity. The seemingly endless variants of the enigmatic A.G.M.u.K. clasp are systematically and completely catalogued as never before.
Previously unknown makers of three types of unmarked Close Combat Clasps are also identified and evidence is meticulously displayed for the first time in this volume. Award cases, documents, miniatures and the variants of the elusive Gold Presentation Clasp are also studied and supplemented by many never seen photographs in this all-encompassing work.
Over 310 pages and 875 colour photographs, this volume is a must have for both the experienced and novice collector alike.
The book covers every original variant of the Close Combat Clasp ever produced and contains the following areas:
*60+ pages solely devoted to the mind-numbing myriad of AGMuK variants and neatly categorizes them into easily-recognizable groups
*Identification/connection of 3 unmarked CCCs to known makers
*A "Chart of Finishes" after each maker section showing examples of the different types of finishes used by each company and the different wear patterns that can be found on originals by each maker
*Gold Presentation Close Combat Clasp and its variants as well as detailed pictures of each different case these rare awards came in
*In-depth section on the "History & Regulations" of the CCC
*Award Documents, showcasing all types from the typical format to the ultra-rare variants
*Miniatures
*Reproductions, showing 13 of the most up to date and high quality fakes on the market today along with several fake packet examples
*Section on "Future Research" depicting examples of how many of the AGMuK CCCs could possibly be attributed to several makers in the Gablonz area
Details:
Title: The German Close Combat Clasp of World War II
Author: Thomas M. Durante
Publisher: Papjay Publishing
ISBN: 978-90-81230-11-7
Size: 310 pages (full color), 6" x 9" hard-cover
Language: English
Price: €69.95
Available from: www.papjay.com