slava1stclass

To all:

Let's not forget our two "Pyramid Men" from a similarly named sister thread.

Regards,

slava1stclass

As many of us have been struggling with the dying days of our active Soviet collecting, I thought this thread might be worth a "bump". So we can all quietly weep?

Sic transit gloria . . .

Ed,

C'mon now, don't be so dour. Carpe diem!

Regards,

slava1stclass

To all:

A very nice photograph of A. Ye. Badayev. He served as Chairman, Supreme Soviet, RSFSR from 1938-1944.

Regards,

slava1stclass

I notice an number on the reverse, this being 1526, would this be the recipients number?, also I notice no Hallmark, would this be normal with soviet decorations, once again I I proffess my ignorance but genuine curiosity.

regards

Alex K

Alex K,

Correct. This serial number is linked to the awardee. The gold Orders of Glory 1st class do not bear a hallmark.

Regards,

slava1stclass

3) Are they made of solid gold (Genuine Question)? if so there is obviously some intrinsic purely mettalic value therefore I would expect a premium on their value

regards

Alex K

Alex K,

Yes. It is roughly an ounce of 950/23 karat gold.

Regards,

slava1stclass

A complex question:

1- What it represents = three consecutive acts of extreme combat gallantry.

2- That it can be (and has been) researched.

3- Intrinsic value (gold).

4- That a lot of folks (especially in Russia) have the money for something like this.

To all:

To Ed's points let me add:

5 - The first class was only awarded for acts of valor during the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945). More specifically, from the date of the order's institution in November 1943 until hostilities against Japan ceased in August 1945.

6 - It is an exceedingly rare Soviet military valor decoration. It was only awarded some 2,600 times. In reality, even fewer first class awards were actually presented/are available. This is due to the fact the gold first class order was not presented when the recipient was KIA - either as a result of performing the act of valor that resulted in him being awarded the first class order or during combat action thereafter (and before the first class order could be presented).

Regards,

slava1stclass

And a single! Though it is researched. Oy!!

Ed,

At this rate, one can only wait and see what the current asking price for a Full Cavalier/Knight set might be.

Regards,

slava1stclass

To all:

Currently listed with an asking price of $17,500.00 - an aggregate 2,200% price increase since 1992.

Regards,

slava1stclass

To all:

Yet further confirmation why the prices of Soviet ODM will not be coming down anytime soon.

Regards,

slava1stclass

World's Most Expensive Cities

In 1998, Moscow was in crisis. More than 100,000 Russians took to the streets as a slew of banks ? and the life savings of millions of citizens ? went bust.

But just a decade later, the global commodities boom has made Russia flush with cash, and Moscow has become a pricey place to live.

That's the finding in Mercer's 2008 Worldwide Cost of Living Survey. Moscow tops the list with a score of 142.4, up 6% from last year ? and 42% higher than New York, the most expensive city in the United States. The Russian capital is followed by Tokyo; London; Oslo, Norway; and Seoul, South Korea.

As for Moscow, prices in the Russian capital show no signs of dropping. The global commodity boom continues to fatten the pockets of local tycoons, and the ruble has appreciated 8% against the dollar since January.

Moscow is home to 74 billionaires, the most of any city in the world. Its three wealthiest citizens (Oleg Deripaska, Vladimir Lisin and Roman Abramovich) each possess fortunes in excess of $25 billion. And Russia's super-wealthy are just getting started: 13 of the country's billionaires are under the age of 40.

...and another.

To all:

For those of you suffering from Full Cavalier withdrawal, here are a couple of sets to whet your appetite.

Regards,

slava1stclass

To all:

The ranking in Post # 1 above remains valid as of 17 July 2008. The distinct lack of Full Cavalier sets available for sale in the West continues.

Regards,

slava1stclass

To all:

85-year old Full Cavalier Boris Skachkov fell prey to three "Gypsy" women who entered his Moscow apartment under false pretenses and stole his Full Cavalier set, two Orders of the Red Banner and Medal for Bravery.

His tearful account is seen in the following link: http://www.kp.ru/daily/24130/351043/

Regards,

slava1stclass

To all:

Regimental recon scout I. A. Neumerzhitskiy.

Regards,

slava1stclass

To all:

I have since identified the officer wearing the U.S. Distinguished Flying Cross in post #22 above. He is HSU Captain P. G. Yakubovskiy.

Regards,

slava1stclass

To all:

For those of you who didn't pick up on it, the officer to the right is MSU Konev.

Regards,

slava1stclass

This is back of the Photo.

All the best

Nesredep

To all;

It reads:

Photo Mumm

Kiel, Wilhelminenstr. 11

Ecke Bergstrasse

Regards,

slava1stclass

To all:

Beyond his ODM, note the very distinctive branch insignia - one you don't see all too often with this uniform - Supply Corps. He would later rise to the rank of Army General.

Regards,

slava1stclass

To all:

While not my focus area, I came across this photo and thought you might be interested.

Regards,

slava1stclass

Paul R,

Please see this thread: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=2104...mp;#entry200707

Regards,

slava1stclass

To all:

Another very nice photograph of an unidentified Soviet Guards Tank Colonel who was awarded the American Legion of Merit in the degree of Legionnaire.

Regards,

slava1stclass

To all:

One last look before they went to a Soviet museum for safekeeping.

Regards,

slava1stclass

To all:

Here is another item from the Russian State Depository for Precious Metals' collection.

Regards,

slava1stclass

To all:

While Mongolia is not my interest area, this image was much too nice to ignore. It was taken on July 15, 1948.

Regards,

slava1stclass

There's your lady

To all:

This is not the same lady depicted in Post #1 above. I have since determined the lady in Post # 1 is HSU Nadezhda Popova. Both she and HSU Natalya Kravtsova nee: Meklin (Post # 7), however, served in the 46th Guards Air Regiment. Popova was still alive as of May 8, 2006.

Regards,

slava1stclass