Stogieman

Come come now.... not the first. But certainly one of only a handful around. looks original from the pictures. Here's an example in gold:

Up close & personal, Reverse:

Up close & personal, obverse:

While still an exceptionally beautiful Order to me, the Military issue is not quite as nice as the Red Banner of Labor, to me anyway. Here's a later issued, unnumbered Red Banner to compare with:

Here's the cover of the award booklet:

Here's the case this one came with:

There seems to be a rather large gap between the number in your example and my numbered piece. Perhaps they do not actually go together?

Reverse of the Order:

Hi, this booklet came with a numbered Order (5152) and the case. But I was unsure if an actual "set" as the booklet had no award number entered, despite the 1955 date.

Example of a Second Issue Order:

Perhaps "Excellent Student"??

Photo page:

Hmmm, what do you think of this document?

Hi Petr! I thought we could try and separate the different classes into two threads. One for First Class, one for second? That way we can add and discuss each of the classes on its' own merits. I'd like to thank you again for the link to the Collector site in Russia. I have to depend on a translation website, but the images alone are fantastic and show so many variations, books, cases etc. I was up very late studying them and really enjoyed it! Вы!

Please add in your examples of this beautiful First Class Order, Documents, Cases, etc. !!

Example of the First Class, First Issue:

Instituted by decree of The Presidium of The Great Assembly, on 9th September 1945 Awarded to: Bulgarian and foreign citizens. It may be awarded posthumously, too. Issued in two classes: The First Class has a five-point star; it is of white enamel, gold framed on the edge. The main star is 52 mm in diameter and lies on another, yellow colored star of 54 mm in diameter. In a gold medallion, in the center of the enameled star, is placed an image of Christo Botev's face. Christo Botev was a poet and National Hero of Bulgaria (1848-1876). The image of Botev is surrounded by green enamel ring with the following inscription: "For People?s Liberty 1941-1944". The Second Class has a 52mm. red enamel five-point star which lies on a silver colored star of 54mm. Center details remain the same as above. Types: The first issue was a screw-back order. The Screw-back versions of this award have been observed in two distinct variations. First version has a border to the reverse of the enameled star. The second version, the enameled star has no border. Screw-back versions are made of four individual pieces, not including the screw and screw disc. The reverse of the base star has relief rays. The second issue is on a pentangle ribbon suspension; similar to Soviet suspensions of the era. The portrait of Christo Botev faces more to the right than the first issue pieces. Again, we have four distinct pieces with a small nut on the reverse holding the Order together. The third & final issue is with a left side-view of Botev's face. The Order appears to still be in three pieces, however the reverse of the base star has no assembly nut. These final issue pieces have a "pebbled" or "grained" appearance to the reverse of both the enameled and base star. Suspension pieces use a red ribbon with one or two blue lines on the edge. Artist/Creator: Boris Angelushev The Order was closed in 1989 Ribbon examples are courtesy of Lukasz Gaszewski.

Ceauşescu Now there;s a name from the past that many will rue......

OK, I'll ask the embarassing question.... The difference between RPR & RSR is????????? (Sorry!)

Nah, just hard to type with one arm, under the influence....

Actually.... Yes. The Austrian Order of The Iron Crown has a similar ribbon, but the stripes are closer to the edge. But there would only be one worn, the swords (if used) would be a very different style and sometimes, the "KD aka Kriegs=Dekoration" would be an enameled, miniature set of Laurel Leaves. Photo below, bottom bar as an example

Petr, thanks for the link to the Russian Collector website. Very nice page, with all variations of this order, including both types of screw-backs. Thank you and welcome!! Of special interest to Bulgarian Collectors: http://sammler.ru/index.php?act=Gallery&cat=587

Mice little bar Scott. Especially with the W?rttemberg Medal. Not often found. Condition is really, really nice on both pieces.

I think this is a junk copy, made to deceive collectors. Sorry!

Hi Christer, these are wonderful, Thanks for showing so many varieties. I found the Labor Orders just a little confusing as we have: Order of The Red Banner of Labor Order of Labor Order of Labor Glory That's a lot of Labor-related pieces to study!!