World War II Paper Money and Financial Instruments of Nazi Germany
This is not an area I've ever collected. Having read the book, I don't think I would ever want to. But it's not the book's fault. It does a marvelous job of cataloging and illustrating these pieces with over 700 full color images filling 64 pages. It's just that the notes are so plain and businesslike. Functional, but boring. Few images, bland monotone colors, numbers and masses of text in tiny font. OK, so financial instruments are legal contracts, and I shouldn't be surprised that they're boring-looking. Nazis themselves are very interesting, as are the villains in any movie or novel. But not their paper money. I wouldn't fault anyone else for collecting them; it's a fascinating era of history, and the book spans a wide range of items from army issues, prisoner of war money, tax payment notes, ship notes and lottery tickets.

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:NEW BOOK: WWII PAPER MONEY AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS OF NAZI GERMANY(www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v15n22a04.html)

American Red Cross in World War II Collector's Guide
Now this topic is more to my liking. It starts with a great history of the Red Cross organization. While do-gooders themselves are the boring polar opposite of history's villains, their works and accomplishments are quite interesting. And to me, the paper items they generated are quite interesting as well.

Membership cards, for example, were as plain as most Nazi items, but with lots of white space they seem lighter and friendlier. There is a great deal of variety - originality in contrast to the regimented German style. Short snorters and trench art have a friendly and whimsical vibe - originality over routine. And don't get me started on club money vs POW scrip. I doubt I'll ever form a collection of Red Cross items either, but thanks to this book I'll recognize them when I see them (and know who to sell them to, thanks to the buying ads sprinkled throughout).

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:NEW BOOK: AMERICAN RED CROSS WWII COLLECTOR'S GUIDE(www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v17n23a07.html)