Rusty Greaves

Below is a high-resolution image of a modified 4th Class Officer breast badge of the Order of Ismail. The recipient had the ribbon removed and added a pin brooch for wearing the award. This piece is also interesting for the unusually unique engraving on the gold floral elements of the blue enamel arms. This breast star was part of a set of awards to Otway Henry Little (birthdate=unk; died 1956), Director of the Geological Survey of Egypt. This is part of a set of medals auctioned by Noonans Mayfair (formerly Dix Noonan Webb) on 21 July, 2021, Lot 131 (https://www.noonans.co.uk/auctions/archive/lot-archive/results/399259/?keywords=Order+of+ismail&discipline=&category=&date_on=&date_start=&date_end=&lot_no=). The footnotes of the auction description offer details of Little’s life. He initially served with the Geological Survey in 1912, and joined the 7th Field Survey Company, Royal Engineers, as a Lieutenant during WWI. He was taken prisoner by the Turks in 1916 during their raid on Qatia and Oghratina. He rejoined the Geologic Survey in 1919, becoming the Director in 1928. Little was a member of the oldest scientific body in Egypt, the Institut d’Egypte, and serving one term as the Vice-President. Little also served in WWII, using his experience with obtaining water supplies in desert areas at the service of the Chief Engineer of the Middle East Forces. He was awarded an OBE after the war. He retired in 1949 and moved to South Africa. The auction lot includes a 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals, an OBE (Civil, Officer’s 2nd type), miniatures of the same 4 medals, a silver medal of the Institut Egyptien, a bronze medal for the Congres International de Geographie Le Caire 1925, and four enameled badges for geologic conventions in 1922 (2), 1929, and 1948 (with an attached name tag “Mrs. D. Little”). At least the OBE is associated with its presentation case, and there was likely associated paperwork for some of these awards (“…together with comprehensive research”). This very high-resolution image of this 4th Class breast badge can be enlarged for greater detail, especially to note the unusual engraving of the gold floral elements in the blue enamel star arms. The description of the breast star identifies its dimensions as 75 mm x 56 mm. The reverse is noted to have an Egyptian maker’s mark (certainly “LATTES”), gold and silver hallmarks, and a date hallmark of “A” = 1925-1926. Probably in the “comprehensive research” materials is the London Gazette of 29 July, 1949 giving published permission to wear the Order of Ismail: “For valuable services rendered by him in the capacity of Director of the Geological Section of the Egyptian Mines Department”. The auction description correctly identifies this as a 4th Class Officer’s breast badge. The 75 mm measurement is stated to include the suspension crown, and the 56 mm dimension represents the lateral diameter. These measurements are consistent with those of other 4th Class badges. The auction listing does note that the suspension pin has been replaced with a pin brooch on the reverse of the crown element. There is no photo of Egyptian assay and date hallmarks (although these do appear to be correctly reported). This is the highest resolution image I have encountered online for the obverse of a 4th Class Officer breast badge of the Order of Ismail. The engraving on the gold floral elements of the five blue enamel star arms is uniquely abbreviated compared with all other examples I have seen of the Order of Ismail. All of the flowers have marks that are uniquely configured, possibly indicating an engraver at Maison Lattes who did not often work on these awards. The engraving of the lowermost leaves (nearest the central medallion) and the stems descending from the most distal single flower engraved only below the 2 central flowers, and the marks are not unlike those on other Order of Ismail regalia. The 5 marks on the most distal flower (3 oriented within the distal petals and 2 originating at the stem of the bloom) are unusual. The 2 central flowers also exhibit distinctive engraving: 3 marks accenting the distal petals, with a shorter central engraved line than the most distal single flower. The lines at the base of both flowers, ascending from the central swelling above the basal leaves is unusual, and that central knob appear to have 3 lateral marks not seen on any other examples. The stem rising from the basal leaves and the very round knob is the form many of these floral components exhibit on 4th Class breast badges. Although the markings are more abbreviated on this example than others, the workmanship of this engraving is elegantly executed. The wreath exhibits a normal Lattes-type configuration, although there is more bleed on the red enamel of the bands than is common for most Lattes examples (more frequently seen on Bichay-configuration wreaths than on Lattes ones), However, this overflow might be more common on the Officer’s breast badge because of the smaller size of the 4th Class regalia. The wreath has become loose and is skewed to the left, note the slight left offset of the panel with the 6 gold laurel fruit dots, that should be oriented just above the crotch of the two lower star arms.

Relative to my most recent post here potentially identifying "Job" as the first name of J. Lattes, here is a source of information about Lattes Frères & Cie à Genève that list 3 of the Lattes brothers, living in Alexandria in 1883. This comes from the Schweizerisches Handelsamblatt – Feuille officecielle Suisse du commerce – Foglio ufficiale svizzero de comercio. 1883. No. 130, II Theil., Nov, 12, Bern, pg. 959, which is available through the ETH Bibliothek, Zürich (https://www.e-periodica.ch/digbib/view?pid=sha-001%3A1883%3A1%3A%3A1714&referrer=search#1712). The company filing for Lattes Frères & Cie. in the section on businesses in the Canton of Geneva reads (approximately in my poor French): "30 October. Maison Lattes Frères & Cie., in Cairo, was established before 1 Januay, 1883 [when these records began], and also for the same purposes opened a branch in Geneva. Type of trade: watches, jewelery. Offcie: 9 Boulevard James-Fazy. The general partners are: MM. Asser Lattes, Bonajuto Lattes, Job Lattes, all three from Cuneo (Italy) and domiciled in Alexandria (Egypt). The Geneva branch is managed by Mr. Amèdèe Chantre, of Geneva, who has the power of attorney for the firm."

This is a follow up of a small amount of information regarding the Sir Harry Smith 1851 medal for gallantry that is identified as being awarded to Henry Evans. I included some of this, but wanted to summarize what I have found to this point. I continue to look for additional information, but thus far no photo of this medal has become readily available online. I noted in my post on this thread of 14 March, 2022 that there was information about the Henry Evans medal in the July 1953 issue of Seaby’s Coin and Medal Bulletin (No, 422, 1953 Vol, No. 7, by B.A. Seaby Ltd., London). On pages 290-291, there is a note written/edited by “a collector who has no connection to our firm” (probably Dr. Frank K. Mitchell) under the section “War Medals Notes and News”, titled: “The Kennard Collection, 1924”. This identifies some sales information about the collection containing the Sir Harry Smith medal for gallantry named to Henry Evans. I summarized some of this in my 14 March, 2022 post, but here is the original text (from the Newman Numismatic Portal [NNP] at Washington University at St. Louis: https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/555601?page=16): There may be additional information in the May, August, and September issues of Seaby's Coin and Medal Bulletin for 1952, but I have been unable to find those pubs online or in the university libraries I can access. I also noted in my post on this thread of 13 March, 2021 that the Dix Noonan Webb (now Noonan Mayfair) website has archived the sale of the Sir Harry Smith medal for gallantry awarded to Henry Evans C.M.R., but without a photo. Of value, is the historical note of what appears to be the first two sales of this medal in 1898 and 1913, identified in the auction description of this medal. The Sotheby's sale of the Kennard Collection in 1924 (noted above in Seaby's Cook and Medal Bulletin) appears to be the next sale of the Henry Evans medal. I have not found any other sale notes until the Dix Noonan Webb sale that was on 20 March, 2008, Lot No. 204, where the medal sold for £7,500 (https://www.noonans.co.uk/auctions/archive/past-catalogues/131/catalogue/153200/?offset=200). The description states: “Sir Harry Smith’s Medal for Gallantry 1851 (Henry Evans, C.M.R.) fitted with silver clip and bar suspension, good very fine, very rare and one of the finest named examples recorded £6000-8000. First recorded for sale by Debenhams in July 1898, and in the Day Collection, Sotheby 1913.”

Below is a better-quality image of the Zivy Frères Mixed Courts badge in its presentation case from the Alif Art catalogue, Lot No. 103, for their 4 March, 2023 auction (https://www.alifart.com/misir-hidv-nsani-281119/). this higher-resolution image allows the name Zivy Frères to be read on the label inside the upper lid, more clearly than shown in the 2nd photo of my post here of 22 February, 2023. This higher-resolution image of the Zivy Frères Mixed Courts gold and silver District Courts badge in its presentation case from the Alif Art catalogue for a 4 March, 2023 auction. In my original 22 February post I incorrectly identified the Lot as 100, it is actually Lot 103. I also incorrectly identified the badges weight as 290 g, the auction description actually states it is 210 g. This is the only photo I have seen of a Zivy Frères case for a Mixed Court badge.

In my continued search for J. Lattes first name, I may have found his name. There was a suggestion on a watch website that his name may have been "Job". I could not be sure as several of the watches bearing Lattes' name are identified as Lattes Frères & Cie à Genève, and I have never found names for any brothers. I just found an example of a Lattes watch, identified as "Job Lattes Caire . Genève" from an online article: "16 timepieces cooler than Apple Watch", by Leslie Gornstein, 19 February, 2015, on CBS News, Moneywatch: (https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/16-timepieces-cooler-than-the-apple-watch/3/). This high-resolution image shows the name "Job Lattes" of Cairo and Geneva on the face of this watch. This is the only example I have found of the name Job associated with J. Lattes. This image can be zoomed for additional detail. There is a single reference of Job Lattes in a ship manifest listed in the Cairo periodical The Sphinx, but I had no way to associate this with J. Lattes the jeweler. This watch is identified as having been made for Emperor Menelik II of Ethiopia. It is listed as made of 18-carat gold, rubies, and diamonds, and sold for $52,000 in 2009. Pair of diamond and pearl earrings in a J. Lattes jewelry case. I am very unsure whether this set of earrings is the workmanship of J. Lattes. This picture of jewelry appears to be in the same case as above, not just another example of the same style case. Note the same smears of red polish on the left foreground and left background corners, and the scratch to the right of the catch release (in addition to the positions of the tear on the left margin of the satin hinge and the stains on the superior central margin of the satin lining of the upper lid). Unlike the other 2 pieces of jewelry shown in this same J. Lattes case, this set of earrings may be the work of Maison J. Lattes. These 9-carat gold earrings seem more similar in execution to the cufflinks made by J. Lattes and purchased by Wilhelmina von Hallwyl in Cairo at Lattes shop for her husband Walther Von Hallwyll in Cairo as a Christmas present in December 1900 (see my post on this thread of 6 March, 2020 about these cufflinks at the Hallwyl Museum in Stockholm Sweden (The catalog inventory number is: XXX:I:E.a.08; https://samlingar.shm.se/sok?type=object&query=Lattes&institution=Hallwylska museet&hasImage=1). This example is from a recent listing on Etsy that is still available on their website (https://www.etsy.com/listing/1415069620/9ct-gold-drop-earrings). A photo of a set of gold and diamond earrings in the same J. Lattes box as shown in the previous 2 photos (https://waveantiques.com/products/14ct-diamond-cluster-earrings). These earrings do not look like the work of J. Lattes and have very modern holders on the reverse. I also found the three above images of a different style of jewelry box that bears the inscription "J. LATTES, JOAILLIER, LE CAIRE". Two images of a this set of diamond and pearl earrings were formerly listed on Etsy (one is shown as the 2nd photo in this post), but there is no longer a link to any description of the jewelry. From the few examples I have been able to see, Lattes seemed to specialize in Egyptian motifs or Art Deco inspired designs. Another example shown in this same case, is listed for a pair of 9-carat gold earrings on Etsy (https://www.etsy.com/listing/1415069620/9ct-gold-drop-earrings). this is a current offering by WaveAntiques (3rd photo in this post). The design of this set of earrings is more likely to be the work of J. Lattes. See my note above under the 3rd photo in this post. stating that it resembles workmanship on a pair of confirmed Lattes cufflinks. The current listing of the pair of gold and diamond earrings on WaveAntiques (https://waveantiques.com/products/14ct-diamond-cluster-earrings) shows this same jewelry box with what appears to me to be an anomalously modern design (4th photo in this post). There is no Lattes maker's mark visible on the reverse of the one earring showing the reverse, then earring holder is modern, and again this looks more recent in form and is almost certainly not a Lattes design. The pearl and diamond earrings do not resemble the few examples of Lattes jewelry I have turned up on online auctions. Only the 9-carat gold earrings shown in the 3rd photo of this post appears comparable to Lattes early 20th century design work. As noted under the three photos of this J. Lattes jewelry box, all three images appear to show the same case, underlining my position that at least 2 of the pieces photographed in the Lattes boxes are not the workmanship of Maison Lattes. It appears quite common that WaveAntiques re-uses a few authentic antique jewelry boxes to display a range of different jewelry, most of it unassociated with the case used for the photographs. At least 3 other pieces of modern jewelry are illustrated in the same J. Lattes case, and none of these other pieces appear to be the work of Lattes.

The hallmark on the edge of the recent eBay offering of this Abbas Hilmi II commemorative medal is probably that of "C. Massonnet et Fils." The Mark is shown below. It is surprisingly in a square frame (most French manufacturing marks are in diamond-shaped frames) and the letters "C" and "M" can be seen on either side of an unspecified central design element that I cannot identify. At this point, I have not yet found another example of this mark. The above image shows the mark on the edge of this medal, is approximately in the 10:00 position. The "BRONZE" mark, shown in the final photo of my previous post, is situated at the approximate 9:15 position (both referenced to the obverse of the medal, and both are oriented to be read from the obverse). As noted, I have not yet confirmed this identification with another example, however the "C M" matches the name of the original Medallist family's business in Paris that produced medals from about 1850 until the early 20th century. C. Massonnet refers to Charles Massonnet, the scion of a family of prominent medallists in Paris. I provided some information that I had encountered about this business in my post on this thread of 28 April, 2018. This mark would indicate that Massonnet both designed and cast this medal. I previously wondered whether the information curated by one of Tewfik Bichay's daughters in Canada might suggest that Bichay had cast this medal. Previous research identified the earliest example I have found of work by this atelier, an1855 copper medal (possibly an advertising token?) made by Massonnet and in the collection of Les Musées de la Ville, Paris (identifed as from the collection of the Musée Carnavalet, Histoire de Paris, Numéro d'inventaire: NJ11735) included the following address taking up the entirely of the reverse: "C. MASSONNET FILS, ÉDITEUR DES MÉDAILLES IMPÉRIALES ÉXÉCUTÉES PAR LE GRAVEUR DU CABINET DE L’EMPEREUR RUWE GUÉNÉGAUD 19 (á Paris)". The name "MASSONNET • EDIT •" on the lower left border of the recent eBay example of this commemorative medal that stands for "Massonnet editeur" meaning that Massonnet was a medallist who designed and cast medals. Other artists also designed, or co-designed, some medals for C. Massonnet et Fils. While Charles Massonnet was the founder of this atelier, it may have been Francis Massonnet who was involved with the design and execution of this medal. I have not yet found names of other sons in this business. Francis Massonnet is credited with several medals from the 1890s-1905 in L. (Leonard) Forrer (compiler), 1930. Biographical Dictionary of Medallists: Coin, Gem, and Seal-Engravers, Mint-Masters, &c., Ancient and Moder, with Reference to Their Works. B.C. 500-A.D. 1900. Vol 8 Supplement, pg 33. Spink & Son, Ltd. London. This particular mark shows only a very light impression of the initial "M" in "MASSONNET". Also see the images in my posts of illustrating this name (16 November, 2017) and on a couple the higher resolution images of the obverse of other examples of this medal that I have posted on this thread (9 December, 2017; 1st photo of 22 July, 2018; 1st photo of 16 January, 2019; and the 1st photo in my 1 April, 2023 post). Egyptian Zogist provided a link in my initial string about this medal in his post on November 6, 2016 ("Help with Egyptian Khedival medal" started on 2 November, 2016 in the "Africa" listings of the "Rest of the World: Medals & Militaria" section) to this low-resolution image of a set of steel dies for this commemorative medal that was sold on eBay and archived on the WorhtPoint.com website (https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/ottoman-egypt-medal-die-abbas-hilmi-138509049).

I just came across another example of the Abbas Hilmi II medal commemorating the anniversary of his coronation and return from the haj. This comes from a recent eBay offering that correctly identified the example as having been cast in 1909 and that it is gilt bronze. The object description also provided a diameter measurement of 70 mm and a weight of 121 g. The attribution of the medal's commemorative nature also was accurately identified. The eBay listing includes an image of the stamped word "BRONZE" on the rim of the medal (see 3rd photo below). This was mentioned in a description for an example sold on a 10 July, 2010 eBay auction (for $76!) and archived on the WorthPoint.com website (https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/egypt-gilded-bronze-medal-b29-115277729). I illustrated that example of this medal in my post on this thread of 8 January, 2021. With an asking price of $2,500, this current Abbas Hilmi II medal shows significant increase in presumed value over prices from examples auctioned over the last 10 years. Very high-resolution lllustration of the obverse of this current eBay offering of the Abbas Hilmi II commemorative medal. All three photos of this medal can be enlarged for greater detail. This example may have been cleaned. It shows a textured surface that is not as readily visible in photos of other examples. Very high-resolution image of the reverse of the same current eBay commemorative medal. Photo of the stamped "BRONZE" on the edge of the medal. There is another hallmark to the right that may be an assay office mark (Cairo?), but I am unsure as I cannot read it well (It may be a mark for 14 carat gold?) and I don't know why there would be an assay mark for a gilt bronze medal.

Here is a good example of the silver commemorative medal marking the closure of the Mixed Courts on 14 October, 1949. This comes from an 11 April 2022 auction (E-Auction 6), by CoinArchives, Lot 4164 (https://www.coinarchives.com/2dd115603c5ca8278e61d83cbcfe4ca9/img/schulman/e6/image04164.jpg). While most of the examples I can find photos of are bronze, this is another of the less common silver version showing well the Egyptian silver hallmarks on the reverse (Cairo assay office, the cat mark indicating Egyptian-made silver, and the date hallmark for 1948-1949), along with the letters STB for Sadek Tewfik Bichay. the description gives the date hallmark incorrectly as 1949-1951. I previously illustrated several of the silver version of this medal in my post of 7 January, 2021 on this thread. That post shows 5 silver versions of this medal (3rd – 13th photos) and 3 bronze examples (14th -19th photos in that same post). I am including the example below as it shows well the design elements of this commemorative medal. I do not think the lines following the front of the contours of the face of King Farouk I from his mouth to eyes, paralleling the front of his chest, and the top and rear of his tarboosh may represent a possible double strike (probably not) but are more likely marks from dirt/tarnish that had accumulated prior to cleaning.

Here are a couple of miniature medals from an eMedals auction of 30 December, 2022 (https://www.emedals.com/brunei-egypt-japan-saudi-arabia-vietnam-a-lot-of-five-miniature-awards). Item: W7495 was a set of 5 miniature medals that included one from Egypt and one from the Kingdom of Iraq. Additionally, the offering consisted of: 1). Brunei. Royal Brunei Malay Regiment General Service Medal (Pingat Laila Tugas), in silver 2). Japan, Empire. Order of the Sacred Treasure (瑞宝章 / Zuihōshō), in silver 3). Vietnam, Republic. Armed Forces Honour Medal, First Class (Huân chương danh dự lực lượng vũ trang), in gilt bronze. A low-resolution image of an Egyptian Republic miniature of the Order of the Republic (Nishan al-Istikal). Instituted in 1955 in 3 classes for contributions to establishing the Republic, it became obsolete in 1965. A low-resolution image of a miniature of the Kingdom of Iraq General Service Medal Nut al-Khidmat Al-Awal King Faisal I, instituted in 1926. The eMedals description mistakenly identifies this as from Saudi Arabia. Obverse of left, reverse on right. The obverse is inscribed "General Service" and the reverse is inscribed "King Faisal I" with the Hijri date 1344, which can be 1925 or 1926 AD but here refers to the institution of the medal in 1926 AD. The obverse imagery is two crossed rifles (butts inferior, barrels superior) joined with rays of the sun.

A sash badge and sash of a 1st Class Order of Ismail is currently being offered on eMedals, posted on 14 February, 2023 (Item: W7568), lacking the breast star and case (https://www.emedals.com/egypt-kingdom-an-order-of-ismail-grand-cordon-in-gold-by-j-lattes-c-1989). The eMedals auction description of this sash badge provides the badge dimensions as 60.9 mm wide x 79.7 mm high and weighing 44.0 grams. The description identifies the date hallmarks as “Z”, listing the manufacturing year of 1925. However, the Egyptian date hallmarks identify 2-year assay period designations, so that the “Z” date hallmark indicates an assay during 1924-1925. The eMedals Grand Cordon sash badge attached to a sash in exceptional condition. The form of the engraving is unusual compared with most sash badges and neck badges of the Order of Ismail. The engraving on the gold floral elements of the blue enamel arms of the star is very similar to that seen on a small number of other examples of 1st Class sash badges and 2nd and 3rd Class neck badges that I have detailed previously on this thread (and on a few breast stars). Unlike the majority of Lattes-made regalia, the above example shows more elaborate engraving on the gold floral elements of the blue enamel star arms and also exhibits an uncommon form of the wreath. Moderate-resolution image of the obverse of this eMedals sash badge. The above photo can be enlarged for some additional details. This example shows the outline of a three-petaled bud at the most diostal single flower of each arm, in contrast with the normal engraving that is a single, central vertical line and 2 or 3 lateral marks. Some of the other examples with more detailed engraving of these floral elements show a single central outlined bud with additional unusual lateral and basal marks on this distalmost flower on each arm. The central paired flowers of each arm also show more elaborate engraving similar to that seen on a few other examples. The current eMedals badge demarcates the three petals through outlining, rather than using marks to accent the interior of these paired flowers. A curled flourish at the base of each flower also is uncommon on most Order or Ismail sash or neck badges, but less detailed than on the few examples with more elaborate engraving noted below and previously illustrated on this thread. The basal bud element of the design, at the most proximal portion of each arm, on the current eMedals sash badge also outlines the ovate bud element within the center as seen only on the few other examples with anomalously detailed engraving, rather than a simple vertical line seen in the vast majority of Order of Ismail regalia. While very similar to the other uncommon and more elaborately engraved examples of the Order of Ismail, the above Grand Cordon sash badge is slightly less detailed than those other pieces. The wreath of this current eMedals sash badge also exhibits an unusual configuration of the wreath, seen on a few Lattes-marked pieces and several with the hallmark of the manufacturer Tewfik Bichay. The most distinctive differences of the wreath are the placement of 9 fruit dots in the most inferior central panel of the wreath on most Lattes-made pieces, compared with 7 on Bichay-made regalia and a small number of Lattes-marked pieces with this version of the wreath. This alternative form of the wreath has consistently distinct placement of the fruit dots in other panels of the wreath as well, thinner green enamel over longer leaves, and more uneven and thinner gold and red enamel bands, often with greater bleed of the red enamel outside of the gold borders of the bands. Enough examples have come to light with this combination (more detailed engraving and the unusual wreath) that it appears this uncommon form was likely to have been made by Tewfik Bichay when he was the chief craftsman in Maison Lattes. The same form of the wreath is seen on pieces marked with Bichay’s hallmark, All of the examples of the anomalously more-detailed engraving on sash and neck badges also are associated with the Bichay-made form of the wreath. Other comparable examples with the more elaborate engraving and the Tewfik Bichay form of the wreath that I have illustrated and discussed on this thread include 2 other sash of neck badges. I illustrated a 2nd Class neck badge with the more detailed engraving and distinct wreath form as the 3rd photo in my post of 31 January, 2020 discussing some of the more elaborate engraving on two breast stars of the Order of Ismail and other variations between Lattes and Bichay made pieces. I initially encountered this image on Hassan Kamal-Kelislii Morali’s flickr photostream (https://www.flickr.com/photos/kelisli/8844318688/), but did not recognize the anomalous engraving. That same photo of the Grand Officer Class neck badge (and breast star) was probably obtained from one of the three La Galerie Numismatique auctions: 4 March, 2013 (Lot 0185); a 23 June, 2013 auction (Lot 0442); and a and a 21 September, 2013 auction (Lot 0300) all archived on the Liveauctioneers website (https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/18004070_order-of-ismail). The version of the photo on the liveauctioneers.com website listings for La Galerie Numimatique is shown as the first photo in my post of 28 March, 2020, looking at variation in the sash badges (1st Class) and neck badges (2nd Class and 3rd Class) of the Order of Ismail. Another example of a 3rd Class neck badge with this same form of engraving and wreath configuration is shown on Hassan Kamal-Kelislii Morali’s flickr site (https://www.flickr.com/photos/kelisli/3051549576, the photo 16th photo in my 28 March, 2020 post (5th-to-last photo). That neck badge is identified by Hassan as having been made by Tewfik Bichay. The current eMedals example (Item: W7568) showing similar, but slightly less elaborate, detailed engraving and associated with a form of the wreath probably connected with Bichay at Maison Lattes, adds a third example of this unusual form of sash and neck badges. It should be noted that all three of the sash/neck badges and all but one of the four breast stars (the exception being a 1st Class breast star from a 30 January, 2020 auction by Fritz Rudolf Künker [Auction 331, Lot 1704; https://www.kuenker.de/en/archiv/stueck/251846] with comparable detailed engraving but a unique wreath configuration, also shown above as the 11th-14th photos, 4th-to-last to last, in my post of 24 May, 2022) with this more elaborate engraving are associated with non-standard wreaths and are marked from the Lattes workshop, not Bichay’s. The near consistent use of the form of the wreath later characterizing Bichay-made Order of Ismail regalia suggests that the production of these rare, more elaborately engraved pieces was associated with Tewfik Bichay’s workmanship. The identification of Bichay with this wreath configuration is confirmed on several examples. The sash badge from a Grand Cordon set sold by Fritz Rudolf Künker in Fall of 2014 (shown as the 18th photo in my post of 28 March, 2020 [3rd-to-last photo) that is hallmarked by Tewfik Bichay exhibits this same form of the wreath (https://www.kuenker.de/img/00079/01512q00.jpg). A 3rd Class neck badge with the same wreath configuration that was offered in a case marked with Tewfik Bichay’s name is presented in my post of 10 December, 2020 from a 4 December, 2020 auction listing (No. 43), Lot 193, on the La Gazette Drout website (https://www.gazette-drouot.com/lots/8238067-la-troisieme-classe-de-l-ordre-d-ismael). A 1st Class Grand Cordon set of the Order of Ismail made by Tewfik Bichay is illustrated and described in my post of 15 September, 2021. That sash badge and breast star (the set also includes the sash and presentation box marked Tewfik Bichay) is from a 2008 listing in the UBS Tammann Collection catalogue (Ordern aus Aller Welt: Sammlung Tammann, 80. Auktion, 4.-5. November 2008, Basel. 2008. UBS AG, Gold & Numismatik Basel, plate 7, pg. 42). The 2nd photo in that 15 September, 2021 post shows a moderate/low-resolution image of the sash badge (also from the UBS Tammann Collection Catalogue) that exhibits the less elaborate more common form of engraving on this order’s regalia and the Bichay-configuration wreath. These examples all show the same wreath configuration of fruit dots, the thinness of the enamel, the longer form of the leaves, and the thinner, less even format of the gold and red enamel bands around the wreath. This wreath form is identical to that on the current eMedals sash badge (Item: W7568) and to the above examples that also show the more elaborate engraving of the gold floral elements of the gold and blue enamel star arms. The set of the 2nd Class Order of Ismail awarded to Dr. J. Ferguson Lees that I illustrated in the 2nd and 3rd photos of my post of 23 September, 2021 (from a Woolley & Wallis 22 June 2021 auction archived on the Saleroom website: https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auction-catalogues/woolley-and-wallis/catalogue-id-srwo10279/lot-8de16daa-647c-4e71-a699-ad3b010c7ff6#lotDetails) does not show the reverse maker’s mark, but both the neck badge and breast star exhibit the Bichay configuration of their wreaths. The description states this badge is made by Lattes, but does not say whether it is marked with Lattes name, as is indicated for the 2nd Class Order of the Nile awarded to Dr. Lees, or if it just repeating information that many of the Order of Ismail reagalia were made by J. Lattes. As both the neck badge and breast star show the same wreath form, it is likely this set is the work of Tewfik Bichay. An alleged 1st Class ”set” of the Order of Ismail appeared on a 21 May, 2022 auction by Auktionshaus Carsten Zeige (auction 69, Lot 241; https://www.zeige.com/vorschau/41.pdf). that I illustrated and discussed in my post of 24 May, 2022 which combines a normally constructed Lattes-made sash badge with one of the elaborately engraved breast starts that also sports a Bichay-style wreath. This same “set” was later offered on a 28 July, 2022 auction by eMedals (Item: W6784; https://www.emedals.com/egypt-kingdom-an-order-of-ismail-grand-cross-set-in-gold-by-j-lattes-c-1925) that I illustrated and described in my post of 27 July, 2022. My 21 May, 2022 post elaborates the evidence for the association of the more detailed engraving and the Bichay-configuration wreaths with Lattes workshop as a possible alternative, more expensive alternative to the standard form of engraving. As noted above, the consistent relationship between the more-detailed engraving and the Bichay form of wreath suggests that Tewfik Bichay may have been charged with production of these unusual examples. Another 3rd Class neck badge from a 23 July, 2019 auction by eMedals that is marked “LATTES” on the reverse (Item: M0306-1) has a similarly configured wreath that seems anomalously large on that neck badge (shown as the 17th photo in my post of 28 March, 2020 [4th-to-last photo] and as the 1st image in my post of 14 August, 2020). That neck badge does not show the more elaborate engraving noted on the current eMedals piece. The odd size of the wreath suggests to me that this example may have combined a wreath from a Bichay-made badge with other Lattes-made components. I also illustrated this same badge from a contemporary auction by Spink, Lot 285, as the first-3rd photos in my post of 13 August, 2020. This same neck badge also is shown in the 2 photos of my post of 26 August, 2020, from a contemporary auction by Liverpool Medals (SKU 28988). That same badge with the oversized wreath that is a Bichay configuration style was also listed on a fall 2021 auction by Liverpool Medals website, with the same SKU number: 28988 and is shown in my post of 9 September, 2021 on this thread. One other probable 3rd Class neck badge from a 28 April 2021 auction by Pescheteau-Badin of Paris also exhibits an oversized Bichay-format wreath on a badge apparently marked “LATTES” on the reverse is illustrated and described in my post of 6 October, 2021. This badge is associated with the brevet and envelope dated April 23, 1923 named to the French radical socialist politician Albert Serrault. Moderate-resolution image of the reverse of the 1st Class sash badge of the current eMedals sash badge (Item: W7568). This image can be zoomed for some additional details. The “LATTES” name with the 3 Egyptian gold hallmarks are situated in the usual location. Although the image can be zoomed for some additional details. However, even magnified the assay office hallmark (probably for Cairo) and the date hallmark (identified as "Z" ion the eMedals auction description) are not legible. The central ibis hallmark, indicating Egyptian made gold, seems a bit larger than usual. Although many photos of the 3 Egyptian gold hallmarks show the ibis mark as a bit larger than the first assay office mark and the final date hallmark, the examples on this badge appear to show a bit greater size discrepancies. There is no hallmark on the reverse of the crown suspension element, nor on the reverse of the loop on the crown that attaches to a clip on the sash (1-3 of the hallmarks often are found in these locations). The normal placement of the 3 Egyptian hallmarks on the obverse of the right connection between the uppermost star arm and the crown element are probably present, but the lower-resolution image does not make them legible.

I just found only the second example I have seen of a Mixed Courts Judges badge made by Zivy Frères of Alexandria. This comes from an upcoming 4 March, 2023 auction by Alif Art, Lot 0100, an auction house in Istanbul (https://www.alifart.com/Content/pdfViewer/PDF/alif_art_mart_2023.pdf). The badge is described on page 55 of that online catalogue. Above is a moderately high resolution image of the obverse of the obverse of what is likely a District Courts badge made by Zivy Frères on the Alif Art website. The above photo can be zoomed for additional details of the workmanship and execution of this badge. This appears to be a silver & gold District Courts badge. The folds of the mantle, and possibly the interior "fur" element of the mantle, may exhibit some silver tarnish, not additional gilt components of the design. However, it is difficult to distinguish silver from vermeil components of the design from the one available photograph. The very brief auction description identified the material as “gilded on silver”, and its dimensions are: 11.5 cm (tall) x 9 cm (wide), and weighing 290 g. The presentation box measurements are given as 3.5 cm (deep?) x 15.5 cm (long) x 12 cm (wide). The maker is identified as “Zivy Frères, Paris – Alexandrie, Egypt”, the auction description states this name is stamped on the reverse (but no photo is provided). There is some damage to the enamel of the inscription on the central tablet and part of the "cordage" element on the upper right corner of the mantle shows what appears to be a loose wire of this element against the the rayed-embellishment. A small, low-resolution image of the badge resting in its case is given in the auction catalogue (see below). As noted, this is only the second example of a Mixed Courts badge by Zivy Frères that I have encountered online. The workmanship is equivalently less-detailed to the other Zivy Frères silver example I have illustrated (from an April 2019 auction [Lot 74177, Auction #5403] by Heritage Auctions: https://fineart.ha.com/itm/silver-smalls/an-egyptian-silver-magistrate-s-badge-from-the-reign-of-abbas-ii-egypt-circa-1900marks-unidentified-cipher-zivy-fr/a/5403-74177.s), compared with most other manufacturers of these badges (perhaps except for the two badges made by "UNION DES GRAVEURS; D. IALANOS, A. DE LEO &. A. KASSANDRINOS; 5. RUE DE L’EGLISE COPTE; ALEXANDRIE (Egypte)”, shown and discussed in my posts of 3 February, 2023 on this thread). The actual design execution of this probable silver and vermeil District Courts badge from Alif Art is also quite different from that on the Heritage Auctions example. No photographs are provided of the reverse of this District Courts badge. Low-resolution image of the presentation case for this Zivy Frères Mixed Courts badge from the Alif Art catalogue for the 4 March, 2023 auction. This image of the case is not good enough-resolution to show whether the Zivy Frères name is on the paper or ribbon attached to the inner upper lid. Moderate-resolution image of the obverse of the Heritage Auctions Zivy Frères silver Mixed Courts badge from an April 2019 auction (Lot 74177, Auction #5403) for comparison with the above silver and vermeil District Courts badge in the Alif Art catalogue for the upcoming 4 March auction. This image can be zoomed for some additional details in comparison with the Alif Art example. This badge is stamped with the name "ZIVY FRERES" on the reverse (shown as the 6th photo in my previous post on this thread of 24 April, 2019). The design differences are most apparent in comparisons between the interior “fur” of mantle, made with simple tool marks on the original dies of both the Heritage Auctions silver example and the Alif Art piece. The placement and execution of the ermine tails on the interior mantle also show differences compared with the Alif Art badge. The Heritage Auctions Zivy Frères badge also has a different execution of the Order of Medjidie element. As noted in my comparison of the tugra on these badges in my post of 7 September, 2021 on this thread, the silver Zivy Frères badge (the inferior portion of the badge is shown as the 6th-to-last image in that post) has the tugra oriented correctly, the superior portion of the wreath lacks the crescent and star, although there appears to be a “ghost” presence that may be the star element, missing for no readily explainable reason. The Order of Medjidie on the Alif Art example contrasts with the silver example by having the center of the medal with the tugra being convex, and the crescent and star are present. The comparison of the area with the Order of Medjidie on both pieces shows some of the other differences in execution between these two examples of Zivy Frères Mixed Courts badges. The form of the calligraphy on the central tablet also is slightly different between these two badges, but is more similar to each other than other inscriptions. The calligraphy on the Alif Art badge tablet does not match any of the currently still unidentified variants of the central tablet calligraphic inscriptions. Cropped close-up image of the Order of Medjidie design element of the silver Heritage Auctions Zivy Frères badge for comparison with the Alif Art example. Note the possible "ghost" presence of a suggestion of the star at the upper portion of the wreath, however, the crescent also is clearly missing on this piece. Cropped close-up of the Alif Art District Courts badge for comparison of the Order of Medjidie element with the Heritage Auctions example. This also shows the comparable, but differently executed, "fur" lining of the mantle the form and placement of the ermine tails, and the much less detailed treatment of the laurel and oak branches compared with other makers of these badges.

There is additional discussion of this medal and several others from the Spanish American War in the thread "US Spanish Campaign Medal-Army 1898", started by muckaroon1960 on 4 February, 2018 on this thread (pg 9 here in "United Sates of America"), There also are 2 other threads about the Spanish American War to check out: "Spanish Campaign Medal-Navy Version" started by Guest Darrell (pg 2 here in "United Sates of America"); and: "HELP with Spanish-American war Cuba medal" started by joabr on 7 July, 2020 with an example of a state infantry medal issued to a member of a state regiment unit (pg 4 here in the "United Sates of America" section).

Thanks for pointing out the visible white on the reverse, I missed that.

Wasn't the Japanese Order of the Sacred Treasure ribbon white with gold stripes until 2003, and blue with gold stripes only after 2003? The Roter Adler-Orden ribbon would have been white with orange stripes, no? Could it be the ribbon fro the Egyptian Order of the Nile, blue with yellow stripes? Many of the Order of the Nile ribbons I have seen show significant fading of the blue, and under some light/photo conditions the yellow stripes can look quite golden.

I first illustrated the set of awards to Alexander Cockburn McBarnet in my post of 18 April, 2019 on this thread, following a post by Egyptian Zogiston 7 November, 2017 with a link identifying this mounted set of awards (and much other material) during an 8 November, 2017 auction by Brightwells archived on the saleroom website. Lot 282. In my post of 18 April, 2019, I included a relatively low-resolution image of McBarnet's Mixed Courts badge and other awards as the 3rd image and I summarized what I learned of his career in Egypt. The image below is higher-resolution than the previous illustration I used in 2019 and comes from the Brightwells 8 November, 2017 auction listing that is archived on the Saleroom website (https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auction-catalogues/brightwells/catalogue-id-srbr10077/lot-b19bfcb8-19b4-41fd-808e-a81900b1168c). The above higher-resolution image allows a comparison of the calligraphy on the central tablet with that seen on other badges to help identify the maker of this badge. The image is not high-enough resolution for a clear image of the tablet calligraphy, but it is most consistent with the markings I have identified as Froment-Meurice Group 1. The calligraphy is most similar to that seen on a badge that was offered on eBay over several years, not selling because of a high asking price (the tablet is and the calligraphic inscription is illustrated as the 4th image, also low-resolution, in my post of 6 September, 2021 on this thread comparing calligraphy across different makers of the Mixed Court badge). That eBay listing shows the “FROMENT-MEURICE” mark on the reverse of the badge. Unfortunately, the above photo, while it can be zoomed for a bit more detail, is not good enough to compare the orientation of the tugra in the Order of Medjidie element in the badge design. From top to bottom: McBarnet’s judicial badge (identified in the auction description as 115 mm high X 85 mm wide, silver, & silver gilt), 3rd Class neck badge of the Order of Medjidie, 3rd Class neck badge of the Order of the Nile, Commander’s neck badge of the British CBE (civil). On the bottom left are his OBE breast badge and miniature of that award lacking its ribbon. On the lower right are miniatures of his OBE, Order of the Nile, and Order of Medjidie. McBarnet was appointed as a judge to the Indigenous District Court of Asyut in 1906, to the Indigenous Court of Appeals in 1913 as a Conseiller (legal advisor), and was appointed in the to the Mixed Court of Appeals in December 1920 and working in that office at least through part of 1926. If his judicial badge is gold vermeil, this would be another uncommon example of the "gold" Appeals Court badge.

Above is a slight enlargement of the reverse of the eMedals Item: EU20027 monarchy-in-exile Medal for Meritorious Acts showing the maker's mark "RI" for Royal Insignia of Singapore and the stamped "SILVER" indicating this medal is silver plated or silver filled.

Below is another example of the monarchy-in-exile version of the Medal for Meritorious Acts (as identified by Owain in his post of 29 July, 2021 on this thread) that is currently listed for sale on eMedals, Item EU20027 (https://www.emedals.com/egypt-arab-republic-a-medal-for-meritorious-actions-ii-class-silver-grade-fullsize-and-miniature-118510. This set is identified in the offering description as a full-sized and miniature medal from “Egypt, Arab Republic…Medal for Meritorious Actions, II Class Silver”. The full-sized medal's measurement is given as 36 mm in diameter and the mini as 18.2 mm. The reverse of each medal is marked “RI” on the reverse and is stamped “SILVER”. The eMedals description of this medal gives the maker’s mark as “RT”, however while the identification as "T" is understandable given the flourish on the superior portion of the "I", this is the "RI" mark of Royal Insignia in Singapore (https://royalinsignia.com). Royal Insignia's website features some of its works for royalty in Brunei Darussalam, Johor, the Kingdom of Bhutan, UAE, the Arabian Gulf League, and Perak in Malaysia. These medals are probably silver plated or silver filled. There is no indication in the eMedals description that this set includes the presentation case nor brevet. The photos below are higher-resolution than those I posted on the 28 July, 2021 and show the design elements better than in my previous post and most usefully the maker's mark identifying the manufacturer as Royal Insignia. Although I mistakenly thought the piece I illustrated in my 28 July post above was a replica, the description of differences I outlined in the design compared with the award created by King Fuad in 1923 are still useful to contrast this modern award from its progenitor. All of these images from eMedals can be enlarged for greater detail. Owain has written in his 29 July post that these awards were issued either by Ahmed Fuad (Fuad II) or his son Prince Muhammed Ali, Prince of the Sa’id. Obverse of the eMedals monarchy-in-exile Medal for Meritorious Acts (Item EU20027), full-sized and miniature. Close-up of the obverse of this same set. Reverse of the eMedals monarchy-in-exile Medal for Meritorious Acts (Item EU20027), full-sized and miniature. Close-up of the reverse of this same set. This image can be zoomed to more clearly see the “RI” maker’s mark for Royal Insignia of Singapore and the stamped “SILVER” mark. Below is a previous offering on eMedals of another monarchy-in-exile Medal for Meritorious Acts (Item EU19496), full-sized and miniature sold on September 27, 2021 (https://www.emedals.com/egypt-kingdom-a-medal-for-meritorious-actions-ii-class-silver-grade-fullsize-and-miniature). This is a different set of these monarchy-in-exile medals than the above example. The background scratches around the central design elements on the obverse and reverse have distinct orientations and densities that contrast with the currently offered eMedals example (EU20027). The 2021 offering identifies the set as from “Egypt Kingdom”, the material as “silvered bronze”, the full size medal is 36 mmm in diameters, and the size of the mini is given as 18 mm. Unlike the set I previously illustrated as the 4th-6th illustrations in my post of July 28, 2021 above (and erred in thinking it was a replica until Owain corrected my unfamiliarity with these more recent awards) this set also clearly shows the “RI” maker’s mark and is stamped “SILVER”, marks. These marks are almost certainly present on the example I illustrated in my previous post of 28 July, but the image is too low-resolution to make them apparent and legible. A current eBay offering of another cased set of a full-sized and miniature monarchy-in-exile issue of the Medal for Meritorious Acts has a moderate-resolution image of the reverse showing these marks and the description identifies the maker as Royal Insignia of Singapore. That eBay set is in a case with the same embossed design as on the example in my 28 July post here. The eBay description of that set incorrectly identifies it as the Medal of Devotion and claims it is 925 silver, which the mark “SILVER” does not imply (an ambiguous term that can mean silver plated or silver filled, but on these medals probably does not imply silver look or silvertone). Obverse of the eMedals monarchy-in-exile Medal for Meritorious Acts (Item: EU19496), full-sized and miniature. Close-up of the obverse of this same set (Item: EU19496). Close-up of the reverse of this same set (Item: EU19496). As seen on the illustration above, this set is marked with the “RI” maker’s mark and stamped “SILVER”.

Dear Carol I, many thanks for posting these images of the breast star of the Order of Ismail, the Nishal al-Kamal, the Order of the Nile (with a red sash rather than the correct blue and yellow one), and the Order of the Republic. I really appreciate getting to see these pieces from the National Museum of Romanian History! Cheers, Rusty

Owain identified this as an Egyptian monarchy-in-exile version of the Medal for Meritorious Acts in his post of 29 July, 2021 on the thread "Unknown Egyptian"? Medal in Lattes Case", started by JackCR on 11 June 2020, here in the Middle East & Arab States section. Owain wrote: "possibly by Worth, for the claimant to the Egyptian throne - Ahmed Fuad II (or his son Prince Mohammed Ali) who reigned as an infant 1952/3 until the Republic was proclaimed." That thread mostly discusses and illustrates the pre-1952 version of the Medal for Meritorious Acts (and the Medal of Devotion and the Medal of Benevolence, all 3 medals were instituted by King Fuad I in 1923, each issued in 3 Classes in gold, silver, and bronze) but also includes this particular monarchy-in-exile medal shown above. I initially mistook this modern version of the Medal for Meritorious Acts on eBay as an inaccurate replica until Owain identified it as the monarchy-in-exile design and case.

I recently found that the U.S. Smithsonian National Museum of American History (NMAH) holds an example of the Order of Ismail in its collections. I requested photos of the insignia, and permission to use the images for non-commercial purposes. I like to identify museum examples as they are pieces that any interested scholar or collector can examine, and there are relatively few museum regalia compared with their distribution in private collections and appearances on auction sites. Above is the J. Lattes-made breast star from the 1st Class Grand Cordon set curated at the NMAH in Washington, D.C. The NMAH ID # is: NU.67.94487, ID #: 67.94487, and accession #: 21150. The credit line for all of the photos included in this post is: Division of Work and Industry, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution. I have permission to use these images for non-commercial educational purposes. I requested these images, that were not part of the previous digital documentation of this set, and the photos were taken just this week. All of these high-resolution photos off then NMAH Order of Ismail regalia can be zoomed for additional details. This set is credited to Frederick W. McKay. The curatorial staff and the Museum Specialist in the Numismatic Collection do not think that McKay was the recipient of this award, but there does not appear to be any record of who it was awarded to nor precisely when. The Museum Specialist measured the breast star which is 80 mm in diameter, confirming that it is a 1st Class star. There does not appear to be an associated presentation case nor an award brevet, although the museum staff are still checking on this. The date hallmarks on both the breast star and sash badge are "A"=an assay date of 1925-1926. The breast star shows some reddish residue at the outer margin of the central boss with the inscription "Ismail” and along the inner portion of the wreath (and a few other areas around the gold and red enamel bands around the wreath and possibly at the outer margin of the wreath at the gold frame of the central medallion). I do not know if this may be old polish and am waiting on information from the museum staff regarding the material. The engraving on the star arms is the common form with 3 lateral marks on the most distal flowers and a central mark, 3 lateral marks on each of the central floral elements and a fourth mark oriented within the most medial petal, and engraving within each of the curved stems, the basal "bud", and the rectangular origin point for the 2 central floral elements on each arm. Photo of the revere of the 1st Class NMAH breast star, showing the Lattes name as the manufacturer. The Egyptian gold hallmarks can be seen on the star arm at the ~9:30 position. The Egyptian silver hallmarks are in a slightly uncommon locations, on the middle ray of the embellishment in the ~3:30 position. Most breast stars have the silver hallmarks on the long ray to the viewer's right of the central inferior ray of the embellishment, just to the right of the distal end of the tunic pin. Image of the reverse of the same breast str with the tunic pin opened showing the "LATTES" maker's name in the central boss. Close-up image of the Egyptian gold hallmarks indicating assay at the Cairo office of 18 k gold, the ibis mark for Egyptian-made gold, and the date hallmark "A" (the same date hallmark is present in the set of Egyptian silver marks). This image is oriented with the superior portion of the breast star downward so that the hallmarks can be read correctly. Above is the obverse of the NMAH sash badge of this 1st Class Order of Ismail set. The wreath configuration is the normal form seen on Lattes-made sash badges (this is not a Bichay-form of the wreath). There is no residue on the central boss with the inscription "Ismail" nor the adjacent portions of the wreath as seen on the breast star. The engraving on the star arms is the same style as seen on the breast star. The 3 Egyptian gold hallmarks are visible on the right side link between the superior star arm and the crown suspension device, showing the date hallmark "A". Reverse of the NMAH sash badge, showing the "LATTES maker's mark and 3 Egyptian gold hallmarks on the central boss. The 3 hallmarks on the attachment clip on the crown suspension device are visible as well as the single Cairo assay office mark for 18 k gold on the viewer's right of the reverse of the crown suspension element. Close-up view of the central bioss of the reverse of the NMAH sash badge showing the "LATTES" name and 3 Egyptian gold hallmarks. The sash of this 1st Class Grand Cordon set of the Order of Ismail. No clip is visible in the decorative bow. There appears to be a staple in the ends of the sash visible to the right of the decorative bow where then lowermost end of the sash overlaps with the other end. Both the decorative bow and the ends of the sash showing pinking (the zig-zag cuts that reduce the susceptibility of fraying). As noted above, this set lacks its presentation case and award brevet. The only other example I currently know about in a U.S. Museum is the Dwight D. Eisenhower 1st Class Grand Cordon set in the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum, & Childhood Home in Abilene, Kansas (https://www.eisenhowerlibrary.gov/eisenhowers/awards-medals). That Order of Ismail was awarded to Eisenhower on 24 May, 1947. At the time, Eisenhower held the position of Chief of Staff of the U. S. Army (appointed 1945) and his wartime rank of General of the Army had been made permanent in 1946, prior to running for U.S. President in 1948. The Eisenhower set was made by Tewfik Bichay and includes the presentation case, Arabic language brevet, and an English translation of the brevet. I posted images and information about the Eisenhower example in my posts on this thread of 17 September and 15 October, 2019. Two other museum examples I have found information about are: the well-referenced example in the Tallinn Museum of Orders and Knighthoods in Estonia. There are low-resolution images of the breast star and sash badge (the resolution of the sash badge photo is much less-detailed than that of the breast star) of this 1st Class Grand Cordon set circulating on the internet, especially in different language versions of Wikipedia and Wikicommons. These photos show the sash badge attached to the sash, and the breast star both resting in the medal bed of the presentation case. The image of the breast star is accessible on multiple Wiki sites (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Order_of_Ismail_grand_cross_star_(Egypt_1923-1946)_-_Tallinn_Museum_of_Orders.jpg). The lower resolution image of the sash badge is principally shown on different Wikimedia listings (https://no.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ismail-ordenen#/media/Fil:Order_of_Ismail_grand_cross_badge_(Egypt_1923-1946)_-_Tallinn_Museum_of_Orders.jpg). I have not yet found any data about the catalogue information or other documentation of this award on the Tallinn Museum website (https://tallinnmuseum.com). Above is the low-resolution image of the Tallinn Museum example of a 1st Class Order of Ismail sash badge. This image has been used on many internet sites. Above is the slightly higher-resolution image of the 1st Class breast star of the Order of Ismail in the Tallinn Museum of Orders and Knighthoods in Estonia. Neither of the above images are good-quality, but document what is available from the Tallinn Museum and these photos do appear frequently on the internet. There is an example of a 2nd Class Grand Officer Order of Ismail in the National Museum of Romanian History in Bucharest (https://www.mnir.ro/portfolio/onoarea-natiunilor-ordine-si-decoratii-ii/). There are no online images of this set, and it is unclear whether it includes both the breast star and neck badge or not. The Inventory # is 126489. The minimal online information identifies this as the Grand Officer Class award, and the diameter of the breast star is identified as 70 mm, confirming that designation. A weight of 82.95 g is given, probably for the breast star. There is no mention of the neck badge and no measurements are provided for that, making out uncertain whether the holding includes the neck badge. Other Egyptian Orders in the collection of the National Museum of Romanian History include: an Order of Al-Kamal (Inventory #: 37459 a-c), probably a Supreme Class of this award as it was conferred on Queen Marie of Romania (1875-1938, last Queen of Romani who reigned from 1914-1927); a Grand Officer Class Order of the Nile (Inventory #: 126490 a-b); and a Commander Class Republic-era Order of Merit (Inventory #: 126491).

Below is a listing for a Sir Harry Smith Medal for Gallantry 1851 from a 4 December, 1991 auction catalog listing of Lot 19 by Buckland, Dix, and (1991. Auction of the Collection of Orders, Decorations, and Campaign Medals formed by A. A. Uphill-Brown: The Property of the Trustees Pasturehill Trust, Luxembourg. To be Held at the Westbury Hotel London W1, Wednesday 4 December 1991 Collection at 11.30 am Precisely. Buckland, Dix, & Wood Auctioneers and Valuers, London). The illustration of the Sir Harry Smith medal is low-resolution, and there is minimal information about the medal except for the summary of the Fort Cox conflict. Above is the illustration of the unnamed Sir Harry Smith medal from this 1991 auction. The hammer price for Lot 19 was £1,500. Although the illustration of the medal is not detailed, there may be some proportional distinctions in the size of the inscription, especially the smaller lettering of "IN THE" within the inferior legend: "FOR GALLANTRY IN THE FIELD" that helps narrow the die options represented by this example.

I may have identified an individual in an unnamed portrait that I posted on this thread on 27 February, 2021. I have tried comparing this individual with portraits of Mixed Courts judges and officials, especially those in the 50th anniversary publication Les Juridictions Mixtes d'Égypte 1876-1926: Livre d'or Édité sous le Patronage du Conseil de l’Ordre des Avocats á l’Occasion du Cinquantenaire des Tribunaux de la Réforme, par le journal des Tribunaux Mixtes. Alexandrie, Egypte, Février 1926. I recently found several photos in an archive of a Minister in the US Legation in Cairo, Bert Fish, showing him with my wife’s great grandfather Pierre Crabités. The Bert Fish Archive is located in the Special Collections of the dupont-Ball Library at Stetson University, DeLand, Florida, where Fish graduated in their first law school class of 1902. Bert Fish (1875-1943) was a US judge and a partner in a successful law firm who made significant wealth in real estate. He retired from law in 1927 after a failed bid for the Florida state senate. He made a large donation to Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presidential campaign and took on a position with the Democratic National Convention. Fish applied for a U.S. foreign service position and took an assignment in Egypt. He was made Minister (Envoy Extraordinaire and Minister Plenipotentiary) of the US State Department’s Legation in Cairo and arrived there in 1933. He served in that role until 1941. He also was the first US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia from 1940-1941 and subsequently as Minister to the US Legation in Portugal until his death. There are many photos of Fish from the archive at Stetson University showing him in various roles throughout his career, and a large number are from his appointment in Egypt showing him with various Egyptian politicians and notable foreigners in Egypt in the early 20th century. There are several showing him with Pierre Crabités, the President of the Appeals Court, Jasper Brinton, and other justices of the Mixed Courts. One shows an American judge whom I feel is the same as the individual depicted in my previous 27 February, 2021 post. Undated image of an unnamed official of the Mixed Courts wearing a bicolored sash and judicial badge over a western style jacket rather than the stambouline coat. I believe that comparison of facial features indicates this is a portrait of Robert Llewellyn Henry, Junior (born 1882, his death date appears to be unknown). If this unnamed portrait is Judge Henry, it would likely have been taken at the time he was appointed to the court in 1924. The bicolored sash is slightly unusual if he was appointed as a judge, these sashes are normally worn by the Parquet and officials (not judges) of the Mixed Courts. This image is from a 28 July, 2018 eBay auction that is archived on the WorthPoint.com website (https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/egypt-vintage-photograph-white-1939040741). Portrait of the District Court of Alexandria from February, 1926. This is a plate from page 192 0f the 50th anniversary publication Les Juridictions Mixtes d'Égypte 1876-1926 Livre d'or Édité sous le Patronage du Conseil de l’Ordre des Avocats á l’Occasion du Cinquantenaire des Tribunaux de la Réforme, par le journal des Tribunaux Mixtes. Alexandrie, Egypte, Février 1926. Judge Robert Llewellyn Henry, Jr. is seated at the front on the viewers’ right in the light-colored suit. This image can be zoomed to compare with the previous photo suspected to be Judge Henry. I included this photo and all of the names of the other individuals in the room in the 5th image of my post of 18 April, 2019. If the previous portrait is Judge Robert Llewellyn Henry, Jr. he would only have been only about 1 year 4 months younger than in the above group photo. Although I have done as thorough a comparison of the previous unnamed portrait as possible with the photographic record of the Mixed Courts at my disposal, I am not 100% certain of the identification I am proposing. The hairline of Judge Henry seen in the February 1926 image of the Alexandria District Court in assembly appears a bit higher than on the previous portrait. The slightly different views of the face of Judge Henry in the 1926 assembly photo compared with the Worthpoint.com offering make comparisons of facial elements difficult. However, there appears to be enough similarity in the nose, mouth, chin, eyebrows, hairline, and ears (see the next photo below). I believe these represent a significant chance that the WorthPoint subject can be reasonably identified as Judge Robert Llewellyn Henry, Junior. The brief information in the 50th anniversary publication Les Juridictions Mixtes d'Égypte 1876-1926 states that he was named to the Alexandria District Courts on 10 November 1924. Other sources also identify him as a Rhodes Scholar in 1904, a former law professor at the Univ. of North Dakota and the Univ. of Iowa, an instructor at officers’ training camps 1917-19, a member of the U.S. War Department Board of Contract Adjustment, and a lecturer at Oxford Univ. prior to his appointment to the Mixed Courts. Like his death, I have found no information about the date when he retired from the Courts. The above photo is identified as dating to April 18, 1935. In the front row is Bert Fish (2nd from L) with Americans Judge Robert Llewellyn Henry, Jr. of the Alexandria District Court (far L), Jasper Yeates Brinton American jurist and the President of the Appeals Court in Alexandria (2nd from R), and James Rives Child (1893-1987), secretary of the U.S. Legation in Cairo (far R). Childs was a career diplomat and a scholar, with 4 of his books about Giacomo Cassanov that focused more on the 18th century rake's scholarly endeavors, mathematical acumen, and life as an adventurer rather than as a promiscuous lover. None of the Egyptians behind the Europeans are identified. They are probably the U.S. Legation’s kavass (armed guards), but the visible faces are not those of Bert Fish’s two personal security kavass. This image can be zoomed for some additional detail. From the Bert Fish Archive in the dupont-Ball Library at Stetson University, DeLand, Florida the identifier of this image is bfp014 (https://cdm17290.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p17290coll1/id/93/rec/112). This photo is copyrighted by Stetson University, DeLand, Florida and may not be reproduced without permission (http://stetson.edu/library/permissions.php). I have received permission to use this image here on GMIC.

I came across the same miniature Order of the Nile as shown above in my most recent post of 27 September, 2022 that includes a photo of the reverse. This comes from a current (?) auction by The Armory of Saint James’s that is listed on the The British Antique Dealers’ Society website (https://www.bada.org/object/egypt-order-nile-1920). Photo of the obverse of the same miniature Order of the Nile as illustrated previously on 27 September, showing the same three broken rays at the superior end of the rayed embellishment. This is a slightly higher resolution (or more focused) image of the obverse of this mini than the one above. Unlike the previous photo of this mini, this image shows damage to the enamel at the distal tip of the star arm in the 8:30 position. When enlarged, the 27 September photo may show a crack in the enamel at the distal end of that arm, Photo of the reverse of this miniature. This shows the unusual full decoration on the reverse of the crown suspension element that is identical to the form of the crown on the obverse. Both this image and the one above of the obverse can be enlarged for greater detail. No maker's mark is apparent.

azyeoman, Here is a link to a 2003 appendix by the US National Park Service with a thorough treatment of issues involved in paper curation. The information is still relevant. https://www.nps.gov/museum/publications/mhi/appendix j.pdf Cheers, Rusty

While checking on addresses of the J. Lattes shop in Cairo recently I came across some additional information about two manufacturers of the Mixed Courts badges. I found a few listings of business addresses for Zivy Frères & Cie. and Rudolf Stobbe that provide some additional background on these ateliers. Zivy Frères & Cie/Jules Cesar Zivy I first posted about the single example of a silver badge made by Zivy Frères & Cie. that I have come across on 24 April, 2019. An advertisement shown in that post (8th photo) identifies the Alexandria shop at 10 rue de Chérif Pacha in Alexandria and two other business locations. A manufacturing location in Paris, 24 rue Buffault (9°), produced some goods that Zivy Frères sold in Egypt. This may include the one example of a Mixed Courts badge that appears to have a French maker’s mark but no Egyptian silver hallmarks (6th photo in the 24 April, 2019 post). That advertisement also identifies the town of [La] Chaux-de-Fonds in Switzerland where watches and clocks sold by Zivy Frères & Cie. were made. I also posted an image of a business card for Zivy Frères & Cie. in that post (7th photo) showing the 10 rue de Chérif Pacha address in Alexandria, the manufacturing address in Paris (24 rue Buffault), and the [La] Chaux-de-Fonds horology workshop. An advertisement for Zivy Frères & Cie., shown in my post of 8 December, 2019 on this thread (3rd to last image) states that they had locations in Paris (no address given) and 10, rue Chérif Pacha in Alexandria. That advertisement also identifies a founding date of 1863 for the business. Another advertisement shown in the same 8 December post (2nd to last image) gives the addresses as 10 rue Chérif Pacha, Alexandria and the Paris address as 4 rue de Chateaudun. This also mentions the watch making workshop in La-Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. The final photo in that 8 December post shows the storefront of Cesar Zivy, who I suspected may have been one of the Zivy Brothers (from: the www.925-1000.com website's Middle East Tradesection: http://925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=53896#p171422). At the time I posted that image of the Cesar Zivy storefront, I did not know where that was located (Cairo was suggested in the www.925-1000.com website, but I had no corroboration of that until now). nor was I certain of his association with Zivy Frères & Cie. These current discoveries of addresses associated with both Zivy Frères & Cie. and Cesar Zivy indicate that Cesar was one of the Zivy brothers. The recent information I have found places this store in Cairo. The only jeweler named Zivy in the broader business of ivy Frères & Cie. I have been able to identify is Jules Cesar Zivy. I have no names of other Zivy brothers. Some biographical information is available about Cesar Zivy, principally that he is credited with founding the Le Nil Masonic lodge in Alexandria. This lodge was dependent on the Grand Orient of France (Raafat, Samir, Freemasonry in Egypt: is it still around? Pt 1. Insight Magazine, March 1, 1999; reprinted in GFN Cyber Mason Vol 5, No 2 =Feb 2010; pp 3-5; http://fsantoke.byethost3.com/gfn-news/feb10.pdf?i=1). Jules Cesar Zivy is identified as a Jewish merchant selling watches during the earliest period of their popularity in Egypt a the end of the 19th and earliest 20th centuries (still principally for identifying times for prayer rather than more secular uses of timepieces - alla franca [alafranga] timekeeping, Kupferschmidt 2015: 235). (Kupferschmidt, Uri M., 2015. On the diffusion of “small” western technologies and consumer goods in the Middle East during the era of first modern globalization. In A Global Middle East: Mobility, Materiality and Culture in the Modern Age, 1880-1940, edited by L. Kosma, C. Shayegh, and A Wisnitzer. I. B. Tauris & Co. London, pp. 229-262). An interesting side note is that the large number of Jewish goldsmiths, silversmiths, and watchmakers in Egypt has a legacy to this day of using certain Hebrew words as a "secret language” employed by metalsmiths and merchants in the markets to communicate clandestinely in front of non-Jewish customers (Huji, Jacky, The secret language of Cairo’s jewelry merchants. Al -Monitor 25 September, 2013: https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2013/09/Cairo-gold-market-jews-language.html). Above is a high-resolution image of an advertisement for Cesar Zivy from pg. 157 of The guidebook Cairo and Egypt: Life in the Land of the Pharoahs, Being a Pictorial and Descriptive Guide to Cairo and the Nile, by Hallil J. Kemeid, 3rd Edition, 1899-1900, Simpkin, Marshall, Limited, London, Printed by A. C. Tenter, London. This online document is from the British Library digital archive: https://access.bl.uk/item/viewer/ark:/81055/vdc_00000005E506#?c=0&m=0&s=0&cv=0&xywh=-309%2C-104%2C2025%2C2348. This advert identifies his shop in the Halim Pasha’s Building (between Shepheard's Hotel and New Hotel) in Cairo, a branch shop on Chérif Pasha Street in Alexandria, the Paris manufacturing location on 65 rue de Chabrol, and the Swiss watch making location in La-Chaux-de-Fonds. It also identifies a store and workrooms in the Crédit Lyonnais Bank in Cairo. Of interest, this advertisement links Cesar Zivy with the rue Chérif Pasha address where Zivy Frères & Cie. was located. This makes a strong case that Jules Cesar Zivy is one of the Zivy brothers of Zivy Frères & Cie. This advertisement also is another that confirms the founding date of the various Zivy Frères & Cie. businesses as 1863. Above is an image from page 65 of the 1899 publication Cairo and Egypt: Life in the Land of the Pharoahs, Being a Pictorial and Descriptive Guide to Cairo and the Nile, by Hallil J. Kemeid, 3rd Edition that shows the storefront of the Cesar Zivy shop in Halim Pasha’s Building, Cairo. This is a different view of the store than the previous image I posted on 8 December, 2019 as the final photo in that post, showing a different view of the same storefront of Cesar Zivy, (see below). Above is the image I previously posted on 8 December, 2019 showing another view of the Cesar Zivy storefront. The configuration of the building is identical, indicating it is the Halim Pasha Building as well (from: the www.925-1000.com website's Middle East Tradesection: http://925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=53896#p171422). This photo may come from 1901, but that date is unconfirmed. Note that the construction of the doors and windows are identical to the above image and the details of the Halim Pasha Building visible in both photos also are the same. Above is a high-resolution scan I made of an invoice from Zivy Frères & Cie. in Alexandria from 29 May, 1926. This identifies the 10 rue Chérif Pacha address, the Parisian workshop at 24, rue Buffault, and the Swiss manufacture of timepieces from La-Chaux-de-Fonds. Underneath the name “Zivy Frères & Co” the Cairo (linking it to Cesar Zivy’s shops) and Alexandria locations are identified, and a facility in Port Said for which I currently do not have a street address. Although I have only encountered one example of a Mixed Courts badge made by Zivy Frères & Cie., these data help better identify this minor manufacturer of these court regalia. Rudolf Stobbe I also found a small amount of information relative to Rudolf Stobbe, whose Mixed Courts badges are represented more commonly than Zivy Frères & Cie. I previously posted three advertisements for Rudolf Stobbe in my post of 24 September, 2019. One identifies that his shop was located at 29 rue Chérif Pacha, Alexandria (3rd photo in that post). The second advertisement for Stobbe (4th photo in that post) identifies the same Alexandria address and a second location in Opera Square, Cairo. The third advert (5th photo in that same post) identifies the Cairo location as his manufacturing workshop address. An advertisement in my post of 8 December, 2019 (2nd photo in that post) also identifies a business location in Opera Square, Cairo and the rue Chérif Pacha, Alexandria location. Both the badges made by Rudolf Stobbe (1st & 2nd photos in my post of 24 September, 2029) and the marking inside the Pierre Crabitès case (the only Stobbe case I have seen, 1st, & 5th photos in my post of 2 December, 2019 on this thread) specify Alexandria as the location associated with these Mixed Courts insignia. The 1908 6th edition of Egypt and the Sûdân: Handbook for Travellers, 6th Edition, by Karl Baedeker, Karl Baedeker Publishers, Leipzig Dulau & CO., London, Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York]; available online on the HathiTrust Digital Library website: https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/008885623), identifies Rudolf Stobbe at Place de la Opera, Cairo (pg. 36 of the section on Lower Egypt (238th page in volume). The 1914 7th edition of Baedeker’s Egypt (available on the Internet Archive website: https://archive.org/details/egyptsdnhand00karl/page/n7/mode/2up) lists Stobbe at Shârie el-Manâkh 28, Cairo (on pg. 41 of the section on Lower Egypt, 245th page in the volume). I have not previously seen this address (very near the J. Lattes shop at 30 Sharia el-Manakh, Cairo) associated with Rudolf Stobbe. An 11 February, 1916 mention in the Supplement to the London Gazette (https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29471/supplement/1650/data.pdf) identifies Rudolf Stobbe only with the 29, rue Chérif Pacha, Alexandria address. Although the above high-resolution image does not have one of the various street addresses associated with Stobbe or a readily legible date, it is an example of stationary of Rudolf Stobbe. The destination is the city of Besançon in eastern France near the border with Switzerland. The red 5 millemes Sphinx and pyramid design stamp is an 1888 issue. The postmark is 6 May, probably 1901. This is from the philatelic website siegelauctons.com (https://siegelauctions.com/2020/1226/pdf/1503.pdf).