pieter1012

Colin, thanks for the information about Dunn's awards. regards, Pieter

Hi Colin, very nice and realistic model of Dunn. Did you make it yourself? According to Honour the Light Brigade of Lummis, his VC and medals are in his former highschool in Toronto. I wonder if they are still there. Rgeards, Pieter

Paul, that could indeed have been the case, didn't think of that. In the period till 1814, as far as I know, the nominee would first be notified of the Emperor's decision by an avis provisoire from the Chief of Staff Berthier. Later, the official award document would follow. So it could well be that in 1815 there was a backlog of Legion d'Honneur documents that still had to be issued. For interest of the reader, I have enclosed here a copy of such avis provisoire for a nomination in officer LdH in 1811. Funny thing though, is that with the 100 days the numbering of the documents apparently started again from no.1. Included is a picture of an award document from the 100 days period of 29 May 1815 and is numbered 2,866. Also, the document mentions the date of nomination, so, it could actually have been issued much later. The document is simpler than the document from the first period, but still signed by the Grand Chancelier, comte de Lacapéde. To compare, I have added a document from the first period, dated 1809, numbered 21898 (although I am not sure of the 1, could be a narrow 9). No date of the nomination by Napoleon is mentioned. Much is written about the Legion d'Honneur itself, but on the (for me at least) interesting aspect of the documents, very little has been written. Of course any additional information on this subject is most welcome. regards, Pieter

In studying the history of the Legion d'Honneur during the First Empire, it is hard to find details on the number of LOH's awarded during the so-called 100 days, from 20th March till 22d June, 1815. As the Palace of the Legion d'Honneur was burned by the communards in 1871, many archives are lost. However, a figure of around 6,000 is sometimes mentioned in books on the LOH (of course for the battle of Waterloo no LOH's were awarded). This seems to me quite a high number, if one considers that during the whole period from July 1802 untill April 1814, around 37,000 LOH's were awarded. If any member has read about another number, I would like to hear that. If 6,000 is more or less correct, poor Grand Chancellor of the Legion d'Honneur, Comte de Lacépede, must have had a busy 100 days, signing all the award documents for these LOH's. regards, Pieter

Perhaps also mention should be made of the French Chasseurs d'Afrique who formed up after the Light Brigade started the charge, and attacked the Russian batteries on the Fedioukine Heights on the noth edge of the valley. They succeeded in capturing the guns, thus greatly reducing the amount of artillery fire at the retreating Light Brigade. I agree that, largely because of Lord Tenyson's famous poem, the Charge of the Light Brigade has received more prominence and attention in the battle of Balaclava than the actions of the Heavy Brigade and the Thin Red line. On the other hand the charge of the Heavy Brigade was successful, partly thanks to the British horse artillery that at a crucial moment pounded the Russian cavalry with 24-pounder guns. And the Highlanders of the Thin Red Line were equiped with Pattern1853 Enfield rifles-muskets that had terrible firepower, not realized and under estimated by the Russians. Cardigan had to charge his cavalry, without any infantry support, through a valley straight into a battery of Russian guns, contrary to the practice of war, as Cardigan himself commented. Pieter

Hi Jonas, thank you for your link to trumpeter Lanfried. You may know there was some controversy among the survivors whether the charge was really sound. Indeed Nunnerly left the regiment on reduction of the army in 1857 and became station master in Chesire before joining the Lancaster Hussars. His medals are in the 17th Lancers Museum. Regards, Pieter

For those interested in the Crimean war of 1854, 25 October,will always be remembered as the day that the charge of the Light Brigade, under command of Lord Cardigan took place. Being today the 25th October, I want to show an old contemporary painting I have of Cardigan leading the charge. Bought this painting many years ago in London from an expert in the study of the Light Brigade, who also taught me a lot about this historical event. It must have been hanging for many years in an officer's mess, because of the cigar smoke that had settled on it. I had it cleaned by a professional antique painting's restorer and looks quite nice now. However, it is difficult to take good pictures without reflection with a simple camera. I also added for your interest the french Medaille Militaire document, awarded to Sgt. Nunnerly of the 17th Lancers, for bravery during the Charge. If any other forum member has items related to the Charge of the Light Brigade to show, we may start here a new thread on this topic. Please enjoy, Pieter

Upon the ascession of Queen Wilhelmina to the throne of the Netherlands in 1898, the German Emperor renamed the Husaren Regiment No.15 into Husaren Regiment Königin Wilhelmina der Niederlände. During the Ist WW the regiment served some time at the East front and I am sure many iron Crosses were awarded to this regiment. However, I have never seen an Iron Cross document named to someone of the Husaren Regiment Königin Wilhelmina der Niederände. If a member has one in his collection I would love to see it and perhaps he would be so kind as to show it at this thread. Thanks and regards, Pieter

I have a Prussian Iron Cross second class document for the 1813-1815 war, that was issued on 23d October 1816. Although the document is in a poor shape, and has been restored at the backside, I thought it might be interesting to show, as it was signed by king Friedrich Wilhelm exactly 200 years ago today. The text reads; Wir Friedrich Wilhelm von Gottes Gnaden Konig von Preussen, haben dem Premier Lieutenant Stuerz, vom 14ten Schlesischen Landwehr Infanterie Regiment, das eiserne Kreuz zweiten Classe verliehen, und ertheilen demselben uber den rechtmassigen Bezitz dieser Auszeichnung das gegenwartige Beglaubigungs Schreiben mit Unseren eigenen Unterschrift und beygedruckten Koniglichen Insiegel. Berlin, den 23ten Ocober 1816 hope you enjoy it, Pieter

Hucks, thanks for your comment. I didn't know there are not so many award documents signed by general Blaskowitz around. As I wrote earlier, I bought it because it is an Iron Cross document awarded for actions in The Netherlands, as from April 1945 Blaskowitz became commander of the German forces in The Netherlands. regards, Pieter

Some time ago I bought this Iron Cross Citation from a reputable dealer in Germany. My interest in it was the connection with my country; it was awarded just before the end of the war for actions in The Netherlands. I compared general Blaskowitz's signature with some other documents on internet and it looked OK. Also, the general feeling of the document gives me confidence it is an original, but any comments by more knowledgeable forum members will be appreciated I also enclose a postcard I had already, of the surrender of the German army in The Netherlands by Blaskowitz on 5 May 1945. He is sitting on the right side in the middle. At the far left end of the table is Prince Bernhard of The Netherlands, commander of the Dutch liberation forces. Thanks and regards, Pieter

922F, thanks for your additional information on the connection of Arthus Bertrand with Bokasa I remember visiting Arthus Bertrand many years ago at Rive Gauche, a store in old fashioned style and the only one it had. Now it has several luxurious stores in Paris. I recently visited its main store at Rue Royale close to Place de la Concorde, the shop full of expensive jewelry; orders somewhere in a corner. Probably as a result of the fortune it made from Bokasa. Well, Roman emperor Vespasianus already said pecunia non olet. Pieter

I would say a nice third type (1808-1812) chevalier Legion d'Honneur with reasonable enamel damage. As this order was worn almost daily on the uniform by the military, most pieces have enamel damage. regards, Pieter

What about "emperor" Bokasa? He created many ordres, or was Arthus Bertrand the lucky one? Pieter

I remember Mr. Joslin well, and although I was a very modest client, he was always friendly and helpful. Pieter

Hi Alex, I realize its usefulness as spacefiller, but for myself I shoo away from replica's even if they are made by an official manufacturer of a particular order. Like Rothe made, from their original dies, collector's copies of the Hungarian St Stephan order, well into the 60's.The only difference is that these copies are not made of gold but are silver gilt. I'd love to have one of these beautiful orders in my collection, but the originals are very rare and very expensive. However, instead of buying a collector's copy, I'd rather wait till the national lotery smiles to me. But of course this is my personal opinion. regards, Pieter

Hi 922F, thanks very much for the information on possible makers of the Hungarian order of Merit. I didn't know the books about Hungarian orders, although unfortunately I cannot read Hungarian, the pictures will be interesting. regards, Pieter

Stuka, Spink & Sons is a long established firm that many years ago was, as far as I know, the only firm in London that next to British orders and medals, also had a large selection of foreign orders and medals for sale in their offices at King Street close to Picadilly Circus. The orders and medals were stored in wooden cabinets with drawers. One could freely spend hours going through all the drawers admiring the contents, as the staff was always friendly and helpful. Spink also published a monthly Numismatic circular with many orders and medals for sale. I think after it moved from their historic premises in King Street, it ceased selling orders and medals from stock and concentrated on auctions as it does today. Alex, personally I don't think the prices Spink asked for their foreign orders and medals were especially high. But in those days there was no internet nor ebay, so it was difficult to make comparisons; I had to make my own judgement before deciding to buy something. But I can add that I never regretted a buy I did at Spink, and they are still part of my collection. Of course there were several other firms and auction houses of repute, such as Sotheby's and Christie's that had regular order and medal auctions, that one could use to estimate value of orders and decorations.. regards, Pieter

I also have no specific theme or structure, although I limit myself to orders and medals, including their award documents. The Netherlands, being my home country, has always my interest in the field of collecting orders and medals. As I have lived and worked quite some time in Japan, I had the opportunity to add to my Japanese collection. Having been posted in London too, gave me the opportunity to get rid of my money at Spink & Sons that used to have a shop in King street, much to the annoyance of my wife, who compensated by becoming a favorite customer of Harrods (just joking). regards, Pieter

Alex, I also like this order, it is elegant and made of good quality. I especially like the Saint Stephen's crown on the case. After all, from 1922-1946 Hungary was officially a kingdom, under regency of admiral Horthy. Regards, Pieter

Alex, I don't know about France, but I'm doubtful whether the Hungarian government would have commissioned an Austrian firm like Rothe to make them. In the early twenties the relations between the two countries were bad, to say the least, because of Deutsch Westungarn. Of course they could very well have been made in Hungary. By the way, here is my Hungarian Merit Cross. As I wrote earlier, no marks at all. Regards, Pieter

Alex and Stuka, I don't think there are any maker's marks on the pieces. Peter Czink doesn't mention any manufacturers of either the Cross or Order of Merit, and as far as I know the cases have also no maker's mark inside the lid. I have a set of the Cross of Merit, in case, and without any marks. Pieter

Hi Alex, nice samples of the Hugarian Order of Merit. You may know that when this order was established in 1922, it was originally called Hungarian Cross of Merit. In 1935 the name was changed into Hungarian Order of Merit and then also some subtle changes were made in the design.The green enamelled wreath of the Cross of Merit is a little more detailed three dimensional and the three mountains under the crown and double cross have a pebbled finish. The mountains of the Order after 1935 have fine diagonal lines. On the Cross of Merit the central red enamel disk is more convex, and has either a plain or pebbled finish under the green enamel that runs along the edges of the cross. With the Order of Merit under the green enamel a laddered design can be seen. The reverse remained the same for both versions. I have this information from an excellent article by Peter Czink on the history of the Hungarian Cross and Order of Merit, published in November 1999 in the Magyar Front. regards,Pieter

Paul, the backside of the postcard indeed says; acquired by the Friends of the Iolani Palace in 1991. As you mention Sotheby's, do you think this is the collar which was given by the king to French President Grevy in 1881? The other known ones were to Tsar Alexander III, Emperor Meiji and Queen Victoria (hers is shown in the book Royal Insignia, and I presume the other two are in the Hermitage and the Imperial Japanese Household). I always thought that it was the king's collar and acquired from the former Royal family of Hawaii. It means then that the collar of king Kalakaua would still be missing. Pieter

Alex, many thanks for the nice picture of Mannerheim's Sword order. I don't remember King Kalakaua's uniforms being shown at Ioliani palace, but in the Throne room a number of his orders and perhaps also some of Queen Kapiolani's orders were displayed. Unfortunately it was not allowed to take any pictures. However, in the museum shop I bought a postcard of the ultra rare collar of the order of Kamehameha, which was displayed in the palace (copy enclosed) regards, Pieter