Reliable Online Auction Houses

[Pickle(hauben)Enjoyer]

Hi,

As someone primarily interested in coin collecting, I’ve often found auctions to be some of the best places to find rare objects at significantly lower prices compared to Europe.

Naturally, I’ve started looking into Militaria auctions and auction houses as well. However, apart from Ratisbon’s and HH, I haven’t been able to locate any other auction houses that regularly hold Militaria auctions with the option for remote bidding on lots.

Could anyone please name a few or point me toward where to look for such auctions with online bidding? Coming from coin collecting, I know there are auction aggregators where you can search for object types and see previous hammer prices—does anything similar exist for Militaria?

Also, is there any kind of ranking or tier list of auction houses based on reliability and honesty?

Thanks,
Max

 

[KAGGR#1]

Hi,

As someone primarily interested in coin collecting, I’ve often found auctions to be some of the best places to find rare objects at significantly lower prices compared to Europe.

Naturally, I’ve started looking into Militaria auctions and auction houses as well. However, apart from Ratisbon’s and HH, I haven’t been able to locate any other auction houses that regularly hold Militaria auctions with the option for remote bidding on lots.

Could anyone please name a few or point me toward where to look for such auctions with online bidding? Coming from coin collecting, I know there are auction aggregators where you can search for object types and see previous hammer prices—does anything similar exist for Militaria?

Also, is there any kind of ranking or tier list of auction houses based on reliability and honesty?

Thanks,
Max

Auctions by Jan K. Kube in Germany
Steve

 

[Pickle(hauben)Enjoyer]

Auctions by Jan K. Kube in Germany
Steve

Thanks!

Having looked around the website a bit, I haven’t been able to find a guide on how to remote bid or whether it’s even a thing they offer.
I assume it’s done telephonically? Also how do I register for an auction?

I know the answers to these questions should be fairly obvious and easy to find however the rather poor layout and antiquated nature of the site has hindered me from doing so.

Once again thanks, and I hope you can be patient with me.

Max

 

[poniatowski]

I used to like Manion's but they're gone now. They didn't charge the bidder a commission, only the seller. I won't patronize action houses that add a commission cost to my winning bid, along with postage and other fees, such as handling'.

Ron

 

[Nacuaa]

Almost all major auction houses that offer Militaria list with on-line bidding sites like Saleroom and Live Auctioneers. I've found some treasures but I no longer sell on them due to the exorbitant fees and shipping costs.

 

[Jvpi]

Having looked around the website a bit, I haven’t been able to find a guide on how to remote bid or whether it’s even a thing they offer.
I assume it’s done telephonically? Also how do I register for an auction?

It's very old fashioned, online auctions extremely rare, only for once if I'm not wrong. If you'd like to send your bid form you need to contact Mr. Kube via email or telephone first.

 

[Pickle(hauben)Enjoyer]

It's very old fashioned, online auctions extremely rare, only for once if I'm not wrong. If you'd like to send your bid form you need to contact Mr. Kube via email or telephone first.

Thanks for replying.

That's a shame—I feel like there’s real potential to make auctions more accessible which would likely significantly increase revenues for auction houses as well.

I also feel like it locks out younger collectors, making them really only have access to dealers and eBay.

That said, I can understand how dealing with shipping weapons or items with banned symbols could be legally problematic, especially without being able to properly vet buyers. For example little Timmy for could steal his mom’a credit card or ID and buy swords, etc.

By “bid form,” do you mean a pre-bid or a maximum/proxy bid (I only have experiences with much more streamlined bidding processes)?

 

[chinstrap]

There are a number of auction houses in the UK, which sell Imperial German items. Bidding can be done remotely online, or by placing an auto bid in advance. ‘The saleroom.com’ shows what most houses are selling, although it’s generally a bit cheaper to deal with the individual auction houses directly. The saleroom allows one to set up alerts so that one is notified daily of things like pickelhaubes coming up for auction. It also covers auctions outside UK e.g. HH.This link shows what is coming up just now. https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/search-results?searchterm=pickelhaube.

Hope this helps.

Patrick

 

[911car]

Thanks for replying.

That's a shame—I feel like there’s real potential to make auctions more accessible which would likely significantly increase revenues for auction houses as well.

For me it is not at all a shame. Kube Auktionen are by far my favourite. An exception nowadays. You must deserve what you get, and not just click a box like you do to manage the rest of your life (by the way, Herr Kube does not take payments by credit card either).
It is unlikely that Kube auctions will change, and I really hope they won't, but if you would ever need help to purchase something there, I would be most happy to assist.

 

[KAGGR#1]

For me it is not at all a shame. Kube Auktionen are by far my favourite. An exception nowadays. You must deserve what you get, and not just click a box like you do to manage the rest of your life (by the way, Herr Kube does take payments be credit card either).
It is unlikely that Kube auctions will change, and I really hope they won't, but if you would ever need help to purchase something there, I would be most happy to assist.

Yesterday I had a visit by 2 collector friends and a wife of one . We talked about Kube auctions . The common feeling among us was ;
for many years he has been a huge success. He lives in a Schloss . So why change ? If it ain't broke , don't fix it . Or as Mr. Frank Sinatra sang ;
"I did it my way "
Steve

 

[Jvpi]

Thanks for replying.

Actually his terms and conditions can be found on his website, IMO it is very easy to find out "how to buy". Bidding form is not uncommon, just traditional. Unless you would like to bid on something more than 10000€, then you probably should consider going to his castle in-person checking those items out. Besides that, you can also pay a fee to request more photos of an item. As Steve said which I agree since it's true, Mr. Kube never lacks customers.

 

[KAGGR#1]

Yesterday I had a visit by 2 collector friends and a wife of one . We talked about Kube auctions . The common feeling among us was ;
for many years he has been a huge success. He lives in a Schloss . So why change ? If it ain't broke , don't fix it . Or as Mr. Frank Sinatra sang ;
"I did it my way "
Steve

I want to add one more thing. Some years ago, before the Kube auction got so big, Kube also had a shop.
I would call about once a week to see what was new. If Kube was there I spoke with him, other times the
man who worked for him. I made several purchases direct from Kube . No auction. One time it was 3
officer helmets at one time . Two of my Prussian Grenadier officers uniforms came from Kube .
He sold me items of Friedrich of Baden, so I have found memories of the "early Kube "
Steve

 

[911car]

I have in Europe some Kube auction black and white catalogs from the 1980's, although I was not a customer then (!). What was auctioned then is unbelievable. I notably remember, if my memory is correct, the Konrad Kujau's collection.... perhaps the name rings a bell for Steve.

 

[KAGGR#1]

I have in Europe some Kube auction black and white catalogs from the 1980's, although I was not a customer then (!). What was auctioned then is unbelievable. I notably remember, if my memory is correct, the Konrad Kujau's collection.... perhaps the name rings a bell for Steve.

Bruno
Yes , I also have the old B & W catalogs
K K was the man who did the "Fake Hitler Dieteries "
with the money he got ( fraud ) via a German magazine who printed them, he bought military
When he was uncovered as a fraud , his collection was sold via Kube if I remember correctly
Steve

 

[911car]

Bruno
Yes , I also have the old B & W catalogs
K K was the man who did the "Fake Hitler Dieteries "
with the money he got ( fraud ) via a German magazine who printed them, he bought military
When he was uncovered as a fraud , his collection was sold via Kube if I remember correctly
Steve

This is amazing! A forger! When Kube sells an indvidual's collection, he usually writes a short blurb on the first pages of the catalog. I cannot remember if he did the same for Kujau. I remember the colour photographs on the back cover. There was notably a Mecklenburg general helmet.

 

[Pickle(hauben)Enjoyer]

There are a number of auction houses in the UK, which sell Imperial German items. Bidding can be done remotely online, or by placing an auto bid in advance. ‘The saleroom.com’ shows what most houses are selling, although it’s generally a bit cheaper to deal with the individual auction houses directly. The saleroom allows one to set up alerts so that one is notified daily of things like pickelhaubes coming up for auction. It also covers auctions outside UK e.g. HH.This link shows what is coming up just now. https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/search-results?searchterm=pickelhaube.

Hope this helps.

Patrick

Thanks!
Yeah, it helps a lot.

Max

 

[Jeff R]

Yesterday I had a visit by 2 collector friends and a wife of one . We talked about Kube auctions . The common feeling among us was ;
for many years he has been a huge success. He lives in a Schloss . So why change ? If it ain't broke , don't fix it . Or as Mr. Frank Sinatra sang ;
"I did it my way "
Steve

Exactly Steve! And I can confirm. For me personally, it would be more convenient if he managed his auction 2025-style with livestreamed bidding and electronic payment methods (and significantly more pictures). But our friend Mr. Kube has the coolest address I can think of (imagine your mailing address just being "The Old Castle"...everyone in town knows who that guy is), and a reputation built over decades - the Imperial German collecting world beats a path to his door. He has zero reason to change, and I can completely respect that despite the comparative inconvenience.

Someday I'll have to make the pilgrimage to bid in person!

 

[GardeUlan]

I have in Europe some Kube auction black and white catalogs from the 1980's, although I was not a customer then (!). What was auctioned then is unbelievable. I notably remember, if my memory is correct, the Konrad Kujau's collection.... perhaps the name rings a bell for Steve.

 

[GardeUlan]

Absolutely, black and white. That’s the oldest catalog I have.

Best wishes,

GardeUlan

 

[GardeUlan]

This is amazing! A forger! When Kube sells an indvidual's collection, he usually writes a short blurb on the first pages of the catalog. I cannot remember if he did the same for Kujau. I remember the colour photographs on the back cover. There was notably a Mecklenburg general helmet.

He sold the Kujau collection in 1984, but only mentioned the name on the front cover.

Best wishes,

GardeUlan