How to recognize sanke?

[mimmo]

An ingenuous question: how can i recognize an original Sanke card, and how can i distinguish a true Sanke from a reproduction?

[Bulldog90]

True Sankes will look 90 years old. They tend to fade at the edges, a process called silvering. The quality of Sanke cards stayed pretty consistent throughout the war, but later cards were printed in fewer quantities and become more and more difficult to find.

After the war as Germany began to reassert itself, they reprinted many of the cards to entice young men into joining flying groups, and later the Luftwaffe. The card stock for these are different, often lighter in weight. When you look at them the printed words are somewhat fuzzy. Since the original plates were usually missing, original cards were rephotographed and the difference is easy to spot. On the backs of these reprinted cards from the 1930's there is usually some wording that you wont find on a real Sanke.

Hope this helps,

Bulldog 90

[mimmo]

Thank you very much, Bulldog90!

Do you know some serious and professional seller of ww1 cards and photos?

[Bulldog90]

I've bought most of the ones I own through E Bay. They are listed regularly and if you search on a consistent basis you can still find bargains. I would recommend you buy the Sanke book by Charles Wooley and another book on Sanke, NPG & Lierch postcards of the German aces by Lance Bronnenkant, both of whom are Aerodrome members. The Bronnenkant book was very good in telling you how and when each card was photographed, although they do not discuss collecting or the prices the cards fetch, which has gone up in the past few years. I also collect cards of the French and Italian aces.

There are several reputable dealers on E Bay that you will see listing items regularly. I've also bought things from people I met here on the Aerodrome. Are you looking for something in particular? I have extras of some cards. Feel free to send me a private message (PM), I'll be glad to help.

Ciao,

Bulldog 90