collecting military headgear of the first world war

michiel

Well-known member
This book, by Brian Calkins published in 1990 was one of my first reference books, bought more than 30 years a ago when I was stil a student, and started collecting.

Having evolved in collecting over the last 35 years, this book is now to limited in its information, it lacks details, but I really like this book because it is so nicely illustrated with beautiful drawings by the author himself, and it served as my first reference book, and as an inspiration for my collecting strategy.

It has topics on every belligerent country, with some general information, then the headgear, and at the end a photo section of his collection with dates of purchase and prices. And some advice for starting collectors.

He describes all the countries involved in the conflict (although german imperial is the main topic of my collection, I like to collect also all countries of the first world war),

being a student I really used it to have an idea of all those variants of all those countries.

So, although not of much use nowadays; it remains one of my favorite books, so decided to share it with you on the forum.

I wondered if anyone on this forum knows him, or knew him?, is he still alive and collecting?

If he is out there, thank you for inspiring me with your book

As illustration some photo's
 

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Brian's book was the mainstay reference of WWI headgear collecting when I was living in the collecting desert of North Dakota ( no fault of Dakota). Michel correctly points out the book's deficits. But it was a valiant effort by Mr. Calkins and it proved useful to me .

Probably unknown to most, he moved onto Imperial Austrian caps, producing the most elaborate and comprehensive reference books I've ever seen on the topic. They cover standard and private purchase caps, rare pieces, and caps from all of the Austrian empire appendages, such as the German Legion and Ukraine. A highly useful section covers fakes, since Austrian caps are the most faked of all. The books are in high quality color photos on glossy paper. He may still have some copies left. I don't know if he's a member or our forum. Sometimes they show up on Ebay
Dosty
(Dave Boilard)
 

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I would like to have a copy of those two books ( checked online no copies available), saw reference to attempt te fund a reprint, I would like to participate
 
He used to sell them on ebay direct that's where I bought mine and he was always very nice to deal with even signed them.
 
I tried to find them on eBay, only found them in the US but seems they don't ship to the netherlands
 
Brian is alive and well as of last SOS, he sat at our tables and was selling his Austrian headgear books.

James
 
Brian is alive and well as of last SOS, he sat at our tables and was selling his Austrian headgear books.

James
I’m trying to connect with him via LinkedIn (found him on that platform, hope he responds).this is my Feldmutze corner, like those very much, and hope to find some more, like the reference work
 

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If he still has some books to see he should list them here he would do well his fellow members would love it and he wouldn't have to pay ebay fees. Win win win ;)

He seemed like a really cool guy. (y)
 
If he still has some books to see he should list them here he would do well his fellow members would love it and he wouldn't have to pay ebay fees. Win win win ;)

He seemed like a really cool guy. (y)
I've never met him in person, but he indeed seems to be a cool guy. We've occasionally bought/sold/traded over the years. He is always enthusiastic to help with identifying and discussing a cap's authenticity. He used to have a really good WWI Russian collection too.
 
I’m in contact with him by mail, he is almost sold out on the books, some copies of part one available… ( seems the last complete set is on hold for me…), sorry,
 
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