John,
I don't want to argue with you but I think some of your arguments are
nonsense! As I sayed before you can't compare apples with oranges.
I don't know if anybody here is interested in a Gibson Les Paul. I would
collect warbirds I would have enough money. The original is better as
an photo of paper
But we speak about book projects. Let's think about the following:
I plan to make a new book about Bf 109, maybe we both together.
We have no friends, we both are enthusiast but we have no great collection
and not enough money. We would need 150-200 unpublished photos!
500-1000 each at ebay because we have to outbid sudek.
75000-200000 only for buying photos. Great! I guess we have to pass.
And art of van Gogh? Yes, but I don't know so many collectors who
spend millions to have arts like van Goghs. By the way - sudek is
collecting art and supports some museums...
You mentioned some researchers. Why don't they tell these people their
opinion? I think you are the only one here. Some researchers benefit
from sudek, some not. The first group don't want to admit, the second
don't want to attack sudek, his team, his followers. We would have the
big bang here. Please remember my words about envy and distrust.
No researcher would tell us about his connections to sudek's team because
most enthusiast and former supporters would be very angry with them.
And by the way, i think the best material of the museums and archives
you've mentioned are still published. So I think, a new Luftwaffe
enthusiast will have no good chance. And if you have a look hat series
of today (I don't want to name them) - most photos are well known.
Such well "researched" publications are absolutely worthless.
Regards,
Günter.