TheSamba.com :: View topic - "Dein KdF Wagen" Brochure Question original or rep

Sat Feb 18, 2006 11:53 am

Hi Guys,
I'd like to see if anyone out there can help with some questions identifying a "Dein KdF Brochure." Hopefully I've posted this in the correct forum, if not, I apologize. I know this is a bit long and involved, feel free to email me separately, or whatever.

I have 2 copies of the "Dein KdF Brochure" but with some differences. Let's call them Brochure A and Brochure B. As I see it, there are two possibilities:

1. One is original, the other is not.
2. Both are original, but printed at different times.
3. Neither are original

I've collected VW literature for a long time. However, I'm new to the early years. I know there are many reprints/rep[size=9]roductions of these brochures out there - some obvious such as VW's own reprints, some not so obvious.

In the case of these two brochures, here's what I can see:

1. Both brochures seem to be printed on similar paper. Light to no gloss. Covers are heavier material.

2. In Brochure A, the photos on several pages have a strong blue tint. The other brochure is purely black and white.

3. Brochure A is missing the Sparkarte order form. Brochure "B" has the order form. Brochure B's order form is not printed in the old German script (Fraktur), however, and is dated Jan 1, 1939. I have an authentic order form, dated August 1, 1938 which is printed in Fraktur, however I believe this was being phased out in general in the late 30s, early 40s.

4. The inside cover of A and B differ slightly. The credit information in Brochure A includes "Binder-Berlin" and the photo on that page has a "Binder" signature. Brochure B has neither the credit or the signature on the photo. Both of these changes are obvious misses if you are trying to make a reproduction, so I suspect they are deliberate changes.

From reading "The Samba" I knew in advance that there are plenty of reproduction items (sometimes sold as original) on eBay and elsewhere. And I bought both of these items knowing I was taking a risk that they may not be original. So basically I'm just interested in learning more about this history of this stuff :-)

Anyhow, any information on this (or other ways from telling reproductions from originals) is appreciated.

Thanks!
Tom

Sun Feb 19, 2006 3:57 pm

Hi Guys,

Some more information after some research. It now appears that both brochures are probably authentic. They are, however, different editions.

Brochure "A" (with the blue tone photos) is the 1st edition. (Erste Auflage on rear credit section). It appears the credits in this edition contained two errors - they incorrectly credited the cornerstone picture to Alex Binder of Berlin (a famous 1930s photographer of celebrities), and they forgot to credit K.H.von Graeve with the layout of the brochure. He's the author of the famous "Der KdF Wagon von A bis Z" book of 1940 as well. You can see from the text a name was supposed to be here, but they forgot it.

Brochure "B" is the 2nd edition (Zweite Auglage). They went to black and white photos only, and corrected the credits section at the rear, adding von Graeve's credits and removing Binder's.

Also, the Order Forms do appear to have been revised at least once from the original printing in August of 1938.

If anyone is actually interested in all this esoteric stuff, the cover artist for this brochure is listed as "von Axster-Heudtlass" - he later became famous for the Steinway Piano ads of the late 40s.

Finally, someone once asked about the numbers of these brochures. It appears that each edition was printed in batches of 500,000. There are at least 2 editions, if not more, so at least 1 million of these brochures were printed originally. They're probably not quite as rare as some sellers would like people to believe.

Regards,
Tom

Sun Feb 19, 2006 4:53 pm

I would say you're correct on your observations. Even when the reprints came out they didn't have much effect because there were so many originals around and almost everyone already had one. The paper is different on the repros and once you see one you will be able to always tell. Even to the untrained eye, the difference is obvious. Ebay Germany actually kicks out more of the fake paper than the real stuff. You should always buy these from a known dealer when starting to collect. :wink:

Wed Feb 22, 2006 1:33 am

or course Bob is the master of this stuff but i have learned a little along the way.....i am shocked to hear that there were 1 million copies produced, i thought that there were alot, but a million almost makes it common :wink: i have moved away from the brochures, they dont interest me nearly as much as the early sales paperwork and things of that nature. if you want to get an idea of the kind of stuff i collect click the link below and enjoy.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/lit/kdf_misc.php

As far as putting a price on this type of stuff, there is no telling. i know that if i want it and consider it a reasonable price i go for it (although the price my not be reasonable to all) i or course would never sell this kind of stuff, i am strictly a collector, let me know if you have any questions that you think i can answer
Will

Wed Feb 22, 2006 7:24 am

No, I'm far from the master on this material. :wink: Collecting Third Reich paper is not much of a problem, keeping it can be though. The years make the condition the X factor. Something that has survived for 60 years and is paper is really amazing. Care must be taken to preserve it and store it correctly. One day in the wrong conditions can lower the value of your collection greatly. This stuff can fun and interesting, but it can also be expensive to maintain (almost as much as the cars).

Wed Feb 22, 2006 7:26 am

Judging by the size of your right arm Bob, you are the master of something. :wink:

Wed Feb 22, 2006 9:27 am

johnshenry wrote: Judging by the size of your right arm Bob, you are the master of something. :wink:

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Wed Feb 22, 2006 4:15 pm

johnshenry wrote: Judging by the size of your right arm Bob, you are the master of something. :wink:

A little slow on the up take arn't you John? :wink: