Stogieman

"This fellow looks more like a generic Anthony Quinn. Even the ribbon has become coarser and more like some sort of clothing-weave. No Albanian Medals found here (our local population was entirely Catholic and got out by the 1920s) for the past five years—and I’ve been LOOKING. Now got 5 all at once at my local show. I blame Eric."

Rick Research Sayeth: "In Eric Schena’s book on Hoxha regime awards, this is #31—the Medal of Labor (Medalje I Punës), Type2 on Type c suspension, so fairly late (1980s?) but not near the end of the Communist dictatorship. Eric illustrates a Type1 Medal on earlier Type a suspension, which was clearly modeled after Enver Hoxha himself. Obviously this later type on the final two smaller Type c and Type d ribbons was a completely new medal die as well."

Rick Research sayeth: "It has been 5 years since Eric Schena’s book on Hoxha regime awards came out, but I’ve finally amassed a haul of five all at one local show (see other threads). These are the first I’ve seen—and because of Eric, I’ve been looking for the last 5 years! Here are Eric’s #11, Medal for Bravery (Medalje Per Trimëeri) on Type 1a ribbon suspension. 2,973 awarded up to about 1980 for WW2 action, but this is the earliest type suspension, as is Eric’s #30—the Medal for the Liberation of the Country (Medalje Per Clirimin e Atdheut). Just goes to prove that having a reference book available encourages collecting."

"Since the reverse is blank, only a close-up of the obverse: For those of you without Eric’s Albanian awards book, this is on his Type 1b ribbon suspension. Circa early 1970s? 22 awarded, for distinguished action as a WW2 partisan. According to Paul Hieronymussen’s 1967 “Orders and Decorations of Europe in Color” (which had to make do with drawings of Albanian decorations) this Order was worn on the RIGHT side…?" Thanks to Evil Ricky for posting this since I am offline. Rick Research.

Rick Research Sayeth: "First let me blame Eric Schena. This is all his fault. If he hadn’t written a book about Hoxha regime awards I could never have been lured into any of this. OK, because I’ve been offline since February 2010, don’t know whether this has ever been covered here at GMIC before. Eric’s # 9, “Urdhëri i Flamurit” in his 2006 “The Decorations of Socialist Albania: An Introductory Guide” doesn’t illustrate this Order, just a description. Just picked this up at my local (!) show—"

"Since the reverse is blank, here is a close-up of the obverse: Obviously modeled on the Soviet Order of Glory, I wonder if it was required to have the 2nd and 3rd Classes before getting a 1st Class—or could these be awarded independently of any or no other class held?" My thanks to Evil Ricky for posting this since I’m offline. Rick Research

A voice has reached out to you from beyond Cyberspace. So Sayeth Rick Research: "I blame Eric Schena for coming home from my only local show with a handful of Hoxha regime awards. If Eric hadn’t written “The Decorations of Socialist Albania: An introductory Guide” in 2006 this would never have happened." "Here is his #13 Urdhëri Ylli I Kuq, 1st Class (“gold”), awarded 87 times. Unfortunately the enamel on both lower arms is chipped, but such rarity excuses condition. It is on Eric’s Type 1a suspension. It’s that odd non-tarnishing “gold” alloy—anyone know what the metal actually is?"

From a different documented group, we have a nice RPR 10 Year svc medal, a very clean WW2 Victory Medal and a Soviet Victory medal with the original silk ribbon intact!

Document for above Order, again, same recipient.

RPR, 1964 Order 23 August, Cased, documented

Document for the Labor Award, 1957 (same recipient as Star V.)

RPR Order of Labor, Early style "Monarchy" case, with document. This is an astonishingly refined and delicate piece.

RPR Order of The Star, Fifth Class, Cased with Document.

RPR, 1953 Jubilee Medal, 10 Years of The Romanian Army

Greetings All, finally finding time to post some images. Here's some earlier RPR items to enjoy. First up, the 1952 Jubilee Medal, Cased

Thank you gentlemen. I appreciate the details!

Per Dr. Research, he is happy to confirm your research/identification, the bar is unique to Herr Doktor Schmitt. No other possibility, he's been working on the peacetime rolls! :jumping:

On the phone with DR. Research, Dave, he says hello! He's been working on the Ernestime PT Roll.. he's hunting....

Hi David, that's a fantastic bar!

Well, I'd have to say that's about one of the oddest combinations of ebay offerings I've ever seen. I'll put forth this... Imagine the ribbon bar without the devices added...

Local award medals for??? Very pretty pieces.

Tarsadal Badge with case. Not sure what this was awarded for.

Another early piece, Stalin Iron Works, 1951. Second Class Award. Case is pretty rough but I'm happy to have it!

A set of promotion stars in a presentation case:

Nice Border Guards Badge: