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Graf, Superb selection of beautiful pieces - well done! Owain Graf, The group illustrated below was sold to me as a early / mid-19th century LDH trio........close inspection reveals otherwise! Owain 1. France – the Decoration of the Lily 2. Spain – the Order of Isabella the Catholic 3. Brazil – the Imperial Order of the Southern Cross

Thanks Graf, This time another LDH led group - all pieces in gold - superb workmanship - no details of the recipient but appears to be a post WW2 senior civil servant or diplomat. Regards, Owain

Graf, Further to my posting of an image of Fournage's miniatures I detail below some information and further images. Owain From online research Guillaume Auguste Fournage was born in the 14th Arrondissement (Seine District) of Paris on 21 May 1901 and died at Frejus, Var, on 13 August 1991 – Frejus is a department of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in South-Eastern France. He joined the French navy in 1919 and was appointed ‘Enseigne de Vaisseau’ 2nd Class (Midshipman) on 1 October 1921 at Cherbourg. He was prompted to ‘Enseigne de Vaisseau’ 1st Class (Sub-Lieutenant) on 1 October 1923 and on 18 January 1929 he was promoted to the rank of ‘Lieutenant de Vaisseau’ (Lieutenant). On 1 January 1932 he was at Cherbourg and later promoted to ‘Capitaine de Corvette’ (Lieutenant Commander) and thereafter to ‘Commandeant le Croiseur Auxiliaire’ (Commander Auxiliary Cruiser) X10. Fournage was appointed a Knight of the Order of Honour on 28 June 1934 – see certificate below, and his rank is noted a ‘Lieutenant de Vaisseau’ (Lieutenant). He was promoted to Officer, 4th Class, of the Order on 11 November 1946 and his certificate – see below, when issued was dated 14 March 1947 – his rank is noted as ‘Capitaine de Frégate’ (Commander). Both certificates note his date of birth as 21 May 1901. According to the vendor Fournage was also a lucky man as during his service in the Far East he served on the ill fated French Submarine Le Phénix. Le Phénix was a 1500 ton first class large patrol submarine - commissioned on October 21, 1932. As part of a tour, the submarine sailed from Toulon with her sister ship, the submarine Espoir, arriving in Saigon on December 16, 1938. On June 15, 1939, during an attack exercise, the submarine sank off the coast of Annam with the loss of all hands – some 72 officers and other ranks. All attempts to refloat the submarine were in vain and the exact cause of the sinking was never determined with certainty. Fournage was fortunate that his service on Le Phénix submarine was over before this calamitous event. Whilst Fournage’s chainette of miniatures does not include any campaign medals his orders and decorations attest to a distinguished career.

Graf, Lovely piece. Further to my picture of Ehrsam's miniatures here are my notes. Owain 1. Ordre National de la Légion d'Honneur - National Order of the Legion of Honour – Commander, 3rd Class - 5th Republic issue 2. Ordre National de la Merite – National Order of Merit – Commander, 3rd Class 3. Croix de Guerre 1939-1945 – War Cross 1939-45 4. Médaille de la Resistance - Resistance Medal 5. Croix du Combattant Volontaire de la Resistance - Resistance Volunteers Combattants Cross 6. Croix du Combattant - Combatants Cross 7. Médaille Commémorative Française de la Guerre 1939-1945 - Commemorative Medal for the 1938-45 War 8. Ordre des Palmes Academiques – Order of Academic Palms – Officer, 2nd Class – embellished with diamonds 9. Ordre d’Économie National (1954-61) – Order of National Economy – Knight, 3rd Class 10. Médaille d’Honneur du Travail du Ministère du Commerce et de L’Industrie (2nd Type) - Ministry of Commerce & Industry Medal of Honour for Work – in silver for 40 years service. 11. Ordo Militaris et Hospitalis Sancti Lazari Hierosolymitani - Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem – Knight Commander, 2nd Class 12. Étoile Civique – Civic Star, 2nd Class Medal 13. Croix d’Honneur Franco-Britannique 1940-44 – Franco-British Honour Cross - Gold Cross Jacques Joseph Adolphe Ehrsam was born in Paris on 22 February, 1917. Further to obtaining a degree in law at the Faculty of Law in Paris he continued his studies obtaining a Diploma from the Paris School of Business. Subsequently he worked at the Ministry of National Economy. During the Second World War he served with distinction and in later life was interviewed* and responded as follows: The Légion d’Honneur is awarded for distinguished services. How did you earn this decoration? “It should have been awarded to the guardian angel who permitted me to survive six years in the army, six months in the maquis and two months in the Red Army.” What were you doing in the Soviet Army? “The French government sent us on a mission to recuperate material from factories and ports, seized in France by the Nazis and moved to Germany and the Baltic ports, in other words inside the Soviet zone. Once we reached Kaliningrad (Königsberg), our little group of three found ourselves engaged in combat in a war zone facing an S.S. tank division. That’s when I realised the importance of luck: shells falling into the mud without exploding, bullets whizzing past without touching us. The men and material available to us seemed limitless. We didn’t repair, but replaced them. We saw carts that appeared to date from the days of Gengis Khan, there were endless convoys of camels from factories in Siberia bringing us relief supplies. I was also struck by a strange mixture of kindness and cruelty in those Soviet officers and their men. My military career terminated with the rank of Commander of the Red Army.” (* “Jacques Ehrsam, commandeur de la Légion d’Honneur Un destin exceptionnel”, par Christian Barras, La Vie a Crans Monatan – Crans-Montana life, Edition No.44, Summer, 2003.) At the end of WW2 Jacques was considering two possible careers – public service or to follow his family into business as an employee of Singer France – he took the latter course. From 1961 to 1972 he was General Manager and assistant to the President of Singer France and in 1972 became President of the Company following in the footsteps of both his father Maurice and grandfather Adolph. Jacques retired from Singer in 1982. From 1967 he was President of the Union of French Manufacturers of Sewing and Knitting Machines. He was also an Administrator of the Federation of Mechanical and metal processing industries. From 1967 he was a member of the Paris Chamber of Commerce and industry becoming President of the Chamber in 1979. In later life he lived in the Valais region of Switzerland and became President of the Vaud-Valais Committee of Mutual Aid between members of the Légion d’Honneur, Swiss Section and he was also Head of the Légion d’Honneur Bicentenary Commission. Jacques Ehrsam died, aged 101, on 5 June, 2018.

Graf, Superb pieces. Another group - attributed to a Captain Marc Fluhr. I detail my notes - research below. Regards, Owain. 1. Ordre National de la Légion d'Honneur - Officer, 4th Class National Order of the Legion of Honour 2. Croix de Guerre 1914-19 – War Cross 1914-18 with gilt, silver and bronze citation stars 3. Croix de Guerre des Théâtres d’Opérations Extérieurs – War Cross of Theatres of External Operations 4. Médaille Commémorative des Évadés 1914-18 – Escapees Medal 1914-18 5. Médaille Commémorative de la Guerre 1914-18 – War Commemorative Medal 1914-18 with clasp ENG VOL “Engagés Volontaires” (Committed Volunteers), 6. Croix Des Services Militaire Volontaire – 3rd Class Volunteers Military Service Cross 7. Annam – Order of Dragon – military award 1886-96, Commander (3rd Class) 8. Médaille d’Honneur du Ministère de l’Hygiène, de l’Assistance et de la Prévoyance Sociale – 3rd Class Medal of Honour of the Ministry of Health Assistance and Social Providence 9. Médaille d’Honneur du Ministère du Travail et de la Prévoyance Sociale – 3rd Class Medal of Honour of the Ministry of Labour and Social Providence 10. Belgium – Order of Leopold II – Knight (5th Class) 11. Belgium – Order of the Crown – Knight (5th Class) 12. Belgium - Croix de Guerre 1940-45 – War Cross 1940-45 This particular group of miniatures was purchased mounted in an old and decaying frame and stuck on the reverse was a faded typed note listing the miniatures under the heading: “Decorations du Capitaine Marc Fluhr, né le 28 Juillet 1888 à Thann (Haut Rhin)” (Decorations of Captain Marc Fluhr, born on 28 July 1888 in Thann (Upper Rhine)) Thann is a town located in the department of Haut-Rhin in the Alsace region the north east of France. It is to the northwest of Mulhouse near to the French Swiss border at Basel. Further to a search on the internet Marc Fluhr graduated in 1907, as one of thirty-seven graduates, from what is now known as the Ecole Nationale Superieure d’Ingenieurs Sud Alsace – an establishment which was set up in 1861 to train engineers for textile industry. His service during the Great War is self-evident from the awards he received and, if possible, deserves further research. It appears he was a volunteer and acted as an interpreter. Further internet research reveals that during Second World War, whilst living in Belgium, he had a link to the Belgian underground network which led resistance against the Nazi occupation. In Etienne Verhoeyen’s research on the Belgian resistance network in the Limoge area reference is made to Fluhr who, living in Brussels, was the Secretary-General of the French School, Boulevard Poincaré and Director of the French Chamber of Commerce. Fluhr is noted as being a Reserve Captain and an agent of the French 2nd Bureau and thus a point of contact for leading members of the Belgian resistance in the area. The 2nd Bureau was the French external military intelligence agency from 1871 to 1940. The research notes he was FFC (Forces Francaise Combattants) Captain for the Belgian ‘Mithridate’ network from early 1943. In a post-war declaration Fluhr confirms that he played a role in the French 2nd Bureau from before May 10, 1940 while living in Brussels. He had had an agent in Ostend and vaguely recalled that the 2nd Bureau installed a transmitter on an Ostend fishing boat. The inclusion of the 1940 Belgian War Cross with a Bronze palm indicating an Army level citation would infer that Fluhr’s work during the war was formally recognised. The Belgian orders may also be from this period.

Graf, Lovely detail. I attach another group - possibly to an inter-war diplomat with awards from Spain, Egypt, Serbia, Malta, Italy, Tunisia Romania, Belgium and again Romania. The purple edge stripes on the last award - Order of Cultural Merit, 1st Type (1931-40 King Carol II obverse) Knight 2nd class, indicates that it was awarded for literary merit. Owain

Graf, Nice to see a bejewelled Legion of Merit - looks like a beautiful piece. Owain

Odin, It is the T'ai Federation Order of Military Merit - see link below http://www.indochinamedals.com/tai_and_nung/index.html Kind regards, Owain

Clayton, I attach images of the Gallantry & Bravery medals - miniatures Sultan Qaboos issue - made by Spink. Owain

Clayton, From my research the Omani awards system dos not differentiate between Offices & Other ranks for gallantry medals. The highest award is the Gallantry Medal (less than 20 awarded), then the Bravery Medal then the Distinguished Service Medal. The latter can be made for: Distinguished service over a prolonged period. An act of outstanding gallantry at risk of life but not in the face of the enemy. In the latter instance the khunjar emblem is added. To my mind your uncle was in the face of the enemy but he was evacuating injured rather than individual combat so perhaps this was a distinction applied in assessing the award. However what is important is that you have the citation and it clearly demonstrates the valour of you uncle. Owain

Clayton, Congratulations on tracking down the citation - a great success. It adds so much to the context of the group. Well done, Owain

Ilja, After some research - a circular silvered medal with fourteen scalloped rims inside of which is a smaller circular pattern with seven scalloped rims. In the centre, in two lines, the Arabic inscription, بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم (Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim) In the name of Allah, The Most Gracious and The Most Merciful (In the illustration the inscription is unclear but I think this is correct) جواهر بن محمد القاسمي (Jawahir Bin Muhamad Al Qasimi) Jawaher Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi The medal is suspended from the ribbon by a gilt rectangular bar bearing the Arabic inscription, جائزة رواد العمل الاجتماعي 2020 (Jayizat Ruaad Al Amal Al Ijtimaei 2020) Social Workers Pioneer Prize In 2020 the wife of the Ruler of Sharjah, Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Muhammad Al Qasimi, Chairwoman of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs in Sharjah, was awarded the State Social Work Pioneers Award. This was awarded to her by the Sociologists Association on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Association in the Emirate of Sharjah. I believe this to be a single one time only award. Owain

Clayton, It looks great - well done - a treasured heirloom. Owain

Gentlemen, I attach a 2 page PDF of an exhibit I compiled last year on some Zanzibar miniatures for the OMRS Miniature Medals Branch. Regards, Owain OMRS Miniature Exhibit 080522 Zanzibar.pdf

Graf, This time some LdH groups with seniors UK & USA awards: LdH group with a British CBE & DFC plus a USA Air medal - senior WW2 French Air Force officer? LdH group with a USA Bronze Star - long serving French Officer/NCO wit Indo-China service? LdH group with USA Legion of Merit & UK KBE/CBE (missing ribbon device) - very senior WW2 French Officer with WW1 service? This group only has the orders and gallantry awards - no need for the campaign medals! Regards, Owain

Graf, Two groups...... 1st - Jaques Ehrsham 1917-2018, one time President of Singer France. 2nd - Captaine de Frigate Guillaume Auguste Fournage 1901-? Enjoy, Owain

Gentlemen, I attach the other images that accompanied the aforementioned lot - sadly no reverse of the four jewels. I suspect that the lot all belonged to Bro. R.A. Oval. Owain

Gentlemen, From a group of seven RAOB jewels sold today at a Suffolk auction house - I was the underbidder! Obverse - "Flying Bull Lodge No. 8903" Reverse - Blank Obverse - "Bedouin Lodge Iraq No. 8800" Reverse - "Bro. R.A. Oval C.P." Obverse - "Royal Baghdad Lodge Iraq No.3647 R.A.O.B." with clasp, "Royal Baghdad 3647" Reverse - "Presented to Bro. R.A. Oval C.P. 28.1.58." All three are silver gilt pieces, marked, by F.C. Parry of Birmingham, with date letter marks unclear except the latter which is "H" for 1957. There were four other jewels, generic jewel Kimberley Lodge, specific jewel Yarre or Jarre Lodge West Germany, specific jewel Iraq (see earlier posts) and generic jewel River Jordan Lodge. Regards Owain

Graf, I found another jewelled piece.... Owain And another.......Owain

Good Morning , Some nice pieces - congratulations. I attach an image of the one French groups I have with a diamond/paste LdH. Owainr

Clayton, Great news - and by the sounds of it good timing too! Once you get it and have it set on the group post a new picture. Glad to have been of assistance. Owain

Clayton, Whilst the format of the medals is the same, those issued by Sultan Saeed have his name in Arabic and the Qaboos issue have his name. Your group are of the Sultan Qaboos type. The writing is biro above a ruler hence the 'flat' bottom line. Owain

Clayton, Spink will have no records of award recipients. Qaboos was the only son of Sultan Saeed - Qaboos had two sisters. Owain

Clayton, Glad to have been of assistance. I've looked at my various Oman books and found a chapter of Operation Jaguar in 'SAS Oman' by Colonel Tony Jeapes, 1980, Chapter VII, pages 133-142. No mention of individual names other than the commanders. Also look at Britain's Small Wars website: https://britains-smallwars.com/campaigns/oman/page.php?art_url=jaguar I note you mention 'saved his grandson' -Sultan Qaboos was not keen on the ladies so it is highly unlikely there was/is a grandson! Kind regards, Owain P.S. As Spink made most of the Oman orders, decorations and medal series, and still mount medals they may have a full size gallantry device - no harm in asking.

Clayton, Thanks & I have responded - his award is confirmed in Tinson's book but no citation. Owain PS I attach a similar group of miniatures sold some years ago on E-Bay - no name but I recall it is on another thread in GMIC.