Shep Paine

I'm not sure where you are going with this Joel. It looks as though you are making one of the most respected modelers in the business look like a thief or something. Could you clarify your point.

Yeah, that would be helpful, please do.

Shep Paine is a literal god in this game man. I hope you have a good explaination.

Huh??

QUOTE: Originally posted by thundergod Huh??

The post originally had asked if anyone knew anytihng of shep paine, then the editor replied that he's not into modeling as much, but into some other kind of militaria. He couldn't specify anything more, but said that others in the forum might have a better idea. Enter Joel. Don't know what happened to the other two posts, but I'm certain that

QUOTE: making one of the most respected modelers in the business look like a thief or something

was not his intention. I'm not certain you understood the post tigerman, nor the context of thereof.

QUOTE: a very lucrative business if you know the secrets and are willing to die before devulging any of them

The collections of old militaria is indeed a very lucrative business, but it's a business filled with secrecy, as many items are quite rare, and some are controversial as well. If you are in this game, then you want to protect your sources. And it is a niche market, thus not being very open with it's dealings to those 'outside'. It has nothing to do with thievery.

Thanks Joel for sharing the information.

Those missing posts make all the difference!

I had no idea what this was all about...Joel, did you perhaps inadvertantly start a new thread rather than replying to the original posts?

Hi All,

Zokissima, glad you cleared that up! Thanks.

As a militaria collector (and vehicle owner) of over four decades who as at times done a little wheeling and dealing, there really are no secrets.

1) Know your subject. This is the biggest mistake newbes make. They buy garbage for exorbenant prices (see ebay under 'spiked helmet'!) Be able to ID fakes and replicas (a fake is sold as an original to fool the buyer, a replica is just that without intent to be fraudulant).

2) Most dealers start as collectors. They get to know the 'business' that way. Sometimes this takes years to make contacts, figure out where the market is and what to charge for items.

3) Be honest with the folks you deal with. Sell replicas rather than fakes, originals that are truly original. I see a lot of 'German' Spanish helmets and new dealers can often not tell the diff between helmet shells, let alone different liners.

If Shep is dealing in militaria, I wish him luck. It's a good way to make a small fortune (out of a big one) if you don't know what you're doing. I'm sure Shep does!

Ron

2)

Here is the original thread http://www.finescale.com/fsm/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=21307

yep, that'd be the one

that makes more sense, sorry Joel. but you gotta admit, your post without an into sounds creepy, but welcome to the forums! Enjoy!

Wow, I thought for a second that I stirred up a little storm. I posted the original question. I wonder why Shep left the business. His work was AWESOME. I look at his two books about three times a week. (By the way, I realize I spelled his last name wrong on my original post, sorry all)

Jesse