Military and Wartime memorabilia is one of the most profitable industries for a lot of reasons that are not puzzling. There are millions of Americans with ties to both the historic victories, and the disgusting atrocities that took place during the foreign wars of our country, myself included. Therefore, when I see a product like Dr. Price’s Horrors of War, I get why it can be very controversial.
For those who are wondering why I am talking about a non-sport product, its pretty easy. Not only does this set compile some of the first mainstream military cards in years, it also has cut autographs of some of the biggest heroes and villans of the major foreign wars. Military based trading cards are not anything new, but the concept of a product that has this kind of chase element is relatively unexplored. Because there are a handful of murderous dictators and other similar cards, I am not happy that someone is able to make money with the distribution of cards that feature a group of people like the Nazis. There are also a lot of war heroes, but that is never going to be a source of issue with me.
Here is what I mean:
Horrors of War Saddam Hussein Cut Autograph
We also have heroes like these:
Horrors of War Winston Churchill Cut Autograph
Horrors of War Colin Powell Cut Autograph
In fact, the checklist is so dividing, that eBay will not let all of it be auctioned off on its site. We know that there are at least one autograph of Heinrich Himmler and one of Adolph Hitler that have been posted and pulled from listings, as we can see in the threads from Blowout. Considering my background, I cant say I am on this bandwagon of having their signatures available to be pulled from boxes. Its too sensitive of an element to have a product built around, and with the number of people out there who identify with the terrible ideologies of these figures in history, it opens a door that shouldnt be opened.
That being said, I do understand that there are collectors of this kind of stuff just out of interest, not identification with its values, and they deserve to have a product like this. So, if there is a market, how can something like this work? A collector buys a box, pulls a cut autograph from a high ranking Nazi, and then cant sell on eBay because of what it is. This situation takes a lot out of the product’s market viability when the chase cards cant be sold in the top venue.
I have to believe that Dr Price meant no ill will towards any group of people with the production of this set, he doesnt seem like that kind of person. However, I cant support the sales of a product where collectors buy boxes to pull cut autographs of the leaders responsible for the destruction of millions of people. Then again, we all saw what happened with the Fidel Castro cut auto from Ginter a few years ago.
I’ve read all the posts regarding these cuts and most are just silly. The set is titled “Horrors of War”, there isn’t much to argue with there. To ignore prominent figures, whether ‘good’ or ‘bad’ would be a disservice to the historical signifigance of what occurred. Educated folks fully understand the atrocities that were committed and, I believe, can appreciate the inclusion of certain signatures in a release like this.
As for a venue of sale, there would be more than enough interest at the auction house level. For sure, it would be in front of a specific group of collectors (wartime historical memorabilia) and they’re likely to have more purchasing power than the shoppers on feeBay.
JMHO
As we all know, history is not something to be ignored unless you want to repeat it….so why is it so taboo to build a product around some of the most historical figures of all time? No matter the reason for their significance, the fact remains that they are significant, and owning an autograph is probably many people’s way of remembering history or drawing a connection to it. It doesn’t mean they are endorsing the actions of the person whose autograph they own. I think it is rediculous that ebay won’t let them be sold in their marketplace. I for one think it is an extremely interesting genre of collecting…even though I don’t participate in it.
I think calling into question whether or not this set is in good taste being treated akin to dismissing history is a stretch. The set as a whole, not just the cuts, touches on some pretty horrific events. I personally don’t like seeing them on cardboard. I just don’t feel it is the right place.
I am an educated person, and can handle the subject matter, but don’t need it in my hobby.
Famous Fabrics is certainly free to make these cards, I just don’t like them and would never go near them.
Gotta say, as a historian and an avid World War II buff, I would have been ecstatic if I pulled that Adolph Hitler cut auto. In no way do I identify with or support his policies or the policies of the NAZI’s, I would just be amazed to be able to touch a piece of history like that. Just like when I hold some of the ancient Greek coins in my coin collection and wonder whose hands they passed through over the ages. The guy that pulled it also pulled a Chiang Kai-Shek cut auto. That’s just incredible.
I knew these “Atrocities of War” sets existed back in the 1930’s and 1940’s, I didn’t know they still made them today with cut autos.
If you are okay selling murderers autographs and then taking the profits and treating your family to a steak supper all the best to you.
logic is not your strong suit
I guess I shouldn’t have sold that O.J. Simpson rookie card a few years ago.
Damn . . . .