Graf

This is the Maker sign

This is closer veiw of the central part Graf

This is closer view Graf

Hi , Thank you for the information. I bought it from Bonus-Eventus.be It was listed for 850 EURO i managed to get a better price The Star is still on their site Yes that is wht worry me that it could have been switch of the central part If so, it could be vere old one since the patina on the whole Star is even and old Graf

one more Graf

Sorry, wrong photo This photo was taken in the last few years of his life This one is from his years as a Ruler of Bulgaria

Yes, Ferdinand was quite interisting person When you compare the Orders from his period with the ones from his son Boris III you can realise how much he liked the glomour By the way he spend qite a bit from his family wealth for transforming the capital Sofia into europian city. From the photos that exist it is obvious that sometimes he had carry significant part of his collection for display

Thank you New World, I did not forget the First Class with this beautiful green enamel I just wanted to show these rare luxury examples with Diamonds - variations from the Standard Orders Graf

This is the reverse of the GO Graf

Hi, I just added to my Leopold collection this very nice GO Star by Wolfers I would like your opinion Stars made by Wolfers are usually with crowned Lions and the red enamel is translucent with specific "texture" uderneth This one has non crowned Lion and plain red darkish enamel Graf

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_12_2011/post-12584-0-79050300-1324472903.jpgHi, It is me again The WW2 Police items also have the initials BDP --Bulgarian Governments' Police

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_12_2011/post-12584-0-98986800-1324297647.jpgHi , i was away The Order of St Alexander is very complex You can discuss for ages I was looking for more Variations for this Unique Order

Hi, This is the rarest locking system ..in my opinion

Hi, It looks like early post WW2 ..Peoples' Militia buckle H, the Bulgarian eqivalent of N,. is Initial for Narodna (Peoples') M is initial for Militia Bulgaria Royal/Kingdom Police items had the Initials DP D is initial for the Bulgarian word Durzavna (not sure about the spelling) which means Governments' P is initial for Police

Hi Saschaw, Thank you for the information It is of a good help. Actually I paid $300 at that thime, which was less than 250 EURO, therfore it looks that it was the right price. Since an Original Star costs much more I keep this one for the moment I hope other members will come with more information Regards Graf

Hi, I just noticed your posting of the 1st Class by Rothe Yes, It is the interisting fact....he made the First Class with this "French" crown, however he made the Scond/Third Class Crosses with the "Austrian" crown. I suspect that the Third Class I listed with the "French" type crown could be an early piece or trial one or exception..who knows. Regards Graf

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_09_2011/post-12584-0-24134900-1315650463.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_09_2011/post-12584-0-22099100-1315650498.jpgHi, Thank you for the nice pictures. Yes, This is the Rothe made Order with typical Austrian type crown as we see mostly on the market for sale..or in the books The loop above the cross is clearly marked by Rothe. Most of the time the ring between the ribbon loop and the cross is marked as well by Rothe. That is why I posted this Commander Class, altgough it is made by Rothe, the crown is different. By the way I found pictures of the Commander - First Model, Second St.Petersburg Type -1886 The cross on my first posting has the same features minus the crown however It has ribbon loop as for the Officer Class instead. I also noticed on Ebay.com a Knight of St Alexander - French made in a black box for sale by a Bulgarian Dealer Asking price $1999 ???!!! The Order is the same as the one from my First Posting minus the crown ( which was the case for the Officer Class and the lower Classes as well) Regards Graf

Thank you for your information. It is of a great help. I susspected that the first Officer Cross on the picture was a Commander lacking the crown. I am not sure whether it was converted to Officer Class at early stage by the wearer or later on. For the French one I like your idea that could be Makers trial model - The Order came from France with a French Legion of Honour Ribon. It might be taht the recepient to be French National and as you said requested the crown to be added to the cross, in my opinion I favour the idea of French maker trial Order. ..who knows. That these pieces are interesting, because their not the Standard ones in the books.. what is their market and collectors value? ..who knows Regarding the Commander of St. Alexander, which is marked by Rothe, my question is whether Rothe made in an early stage Orders with as you menioned Hessian Crown as one on the picture of my posting from 31st of August. Most of the Rothe Crosses appear with the other type of crown - posted by NEW WORLD Member on 31 of August as well. Both of crowns are known as princely type, however the one I have posted is seen predomiantly on St Alexander Commander Class made by French makers the one posted by New World is seen mostly with Rothe made ones

Hi, Thank you for the information. I do not have Prof. Pavlov book I have few other book, however they show only the Standrd pieces. Yes, The crown on the Grand Cross of pre 1908 model made by Rothe is the same sahpe Emedals has one for sale for $5500 All Rothe 2-3 Classes i have seen had the typical Crown of the Commander you have posted I assume that could be few pieces of 2-3 Classess made by Rothe with the Crown of the Commander i have, Reasons ?!!! The small problem is that The Cross is clearly marked on the loop by Rothe , however the marks on the ribbon loop of the crown are not very clear, therfore i cannot identify whether the Crown is by French maker or By Rothe On the other hand the patina of the Cross and the Crown is the same, therfore it is in favour that ther are made at the same time. Regards Peter

Hi, I have problem resizing the pictures As a Basic Member i have restriction about the size of the files I have to upgrade to get better Benefits Anyway this is closer view of the Crown in question Pay attention on the crown and compare it with this from Emedals The Cross is the same by Rothe (marked on the loop) Regards Graf

Hi William, Thank you for the post. I agree with your comments I know the Emedals Commander - It is the Standard Austrian Model we know I meant the Commander on the smaller images I will post them again Regards Graf

Hi, Thank you for the reply. Cross 1 is Russian made - It is Second St. Petersburg Issue - 1886 It is Silver gold plated Not marked Interisting fact is that has the size of Commander Class, however the features are for the Officer Class Cross 2 Is French made - The crown as I mentioned in my first mail is a French crown which never had the ribbons/penadia/arms on the side This type of crowns you can see on Belgium Order of Leopold made by French makers in the period 1880-1920. In 1908 The King Ferdinand introduced the next model of St. Alexander with The Kings Crown I assume that this paricular Cross was made around this period The Cross has the features of the Princely Model till 1908 . My speculation is that the French maker atached the crown to match the 1908 Model without knowing that ths model will have Kings crown with ribbons The Cross came from France with ribbon for Officer of French Legion of Honour with Rosette However this is my theory ..the story of the Cross could be different. That is why I listed them as a topic Both Crosses 1 and 2 are not standard, or at least are not in any book I have seen. The same is with The Commander Cross I listed as well ( The small format pictures) It is Austrian made by Rothe , however the crown is French Style Is it an early Rothe ? or a Hybrid The Rothe Commander we know is the one on the bigger pictures with distinctive Austrian typy Crown. Regards Graf

This is the reverse view Graf