Graf

Nice photos

BTW The 1st Class box listed by Bretzen is from the same Prince Ferdinand period 1891-1908

4th Class box -Officer Class Prince Ferdinand period 1891-1908 Box 130 mm long 65 wide 20 mm high Note the "small roof" on the lid mentioned by New World This features appear in all boxes from the 1st Prince Ferdinand issue 1891-1908 period Note this "small roof " features even on the 1st Issue of the Order of Military merit "with Glass " enamel

Yes I have some of them as well. It will be nice to show the Decoration (optional) inside as well ..from the relevant period. I have seen few examples when the decoration did not match the box 6th Class box estimate period 1891 till 1901 Box 130 mm long 65 wide 20 mm high

Interesting print of Prince Ferdinand with Russian uniform and Grand Cross Star of LOH

Hi Illieff, Uwe question was about this "mysterious" mark featuring on the exact spot above the letter "I' on all classes That made me to look in more details and i came to the conclusion that this is the letter "I kratko" which is after the Letter "I" in the Bulgarian Alphabet This mark, which is more like a "coma" is used above the letter "I kratko", a letter pronounced differently from the letter "I" Therefore this mark is not a manufacturing defect Perhaps i should have not given an example using the German letters. It cause some confusion The other interesting fact is the use of the old Bulgarian in the text I suspect that for both 2nd and 3rd Classes a bronze silvered or gilded was used The other interesting fact is that in the Documents listed by Uwe and myself the cross is written as "Gold" instead of the appropriate Class I assume the "Gold" was referred to the 1st Class. This cross was given to all senior and junior staff officers from garrisons where Prince Ferdinand had passed through Also to some dignities that has escorted him during this trip. Therefore Uwe"s Document is for an adviser, who escorted the New Prince Interesting fact that Denkov in his book stated that the 1st Class is also made from base metal,while actually it was made from gilded silver and hall marked. I recently came across of 3rd Class that was "upgraded" to 1st Class by painting the relevant parts. Luckily very bad job, and also the cross was not hall marked.. However can trick novices collectors I have never seen 2nd and 3rd Classes with 5 clovers, however since in some books it was mention that there is a model with 5 clovers till now i assumed that such issue might have existed Only late prof. Pavlov stated that only 1st Class had the 5 clover model Regards Graf

Hi Uwe, Very interesting Questions First Only the Firm of K F Rothe Vienna is known to be the maker of those Crosses Second I searched the literature and late prof Pavlov mention that 1st Class was known to have two variants Although he have not stated the same for the other two classes it is important to research further. I have both 2nd and 3rrd Class with 4 clovers only as well I think I solved the mystery of the mark on the back medallion This is a mark wcih is put above the Bulgarian letter "I' and the letter is pronounced as "I kratko" That is why it appear on all crosses on the back. The word is written in old Bulgarian with this letter on the back. I am sorry I do not have Cyrilic on my PC I hope Iliev can do for me to become more clear One is for sure for me this is not a defect mark. I checked the Bulgarian Alphabet This is a sign similar to the German "U mlau" if I am correct

Here is the House Order of Saxony I think the design of the central medallion on the reverse of the Ferdinand Cross was "borrowed" from this Order It has 5 clovers on the reverse Do you know any models or variations with 4 clovers. This might bring a light on the topic Marks on the ring of 1st Class

Hi Uwe, Yes I have two 1st Classes both marked with the same marks like yours Both have the same small defect on the reverse central medallion like yours One has 5 clovers the other has 4 clovers on the Coat of arms of Saxony The one with 4 clovers is considered to be second type Why the number of clovers was reduced is a mystery I assume the matrix might had been damages damaged and the new one was made with 4 clovers Here is the second type with four clovers on the reverse central medallion You can see the small defect as well The other 1st Class is exactly like yours (the one in the group photo with the Document) PS Only the 1st Class is marked The other two classes were made from base metal (gilded or silvered)

I am OK with the listing

I agree

Very interesting Thanks

I agree they could have been easy targets

nice

nice

That is true

Hi, It is very nice document Thank you for sharing First it is a very low Number No 90 It is known that 699 1st Class in Gold have been awarded The Document is correct The awarded person was Prince Ferdinand adviser The Name is correct . however without the "u' at the end I suspect that at that time adding "u' was Russian influence after the Russian-Turkish War 1877-1878 and/or could be modern style at the time. Whether this person was VIP one I am not sure I leave this one to our Bulgarian members to find out I have the same document but with much higher number No 844 to an Officer I suspect the numbers are given in order of awarding regardless of the Class According to sources the very first crosses were given to members of the Royal family Ministers of the Principality of Bulgaria and other dignities Total awarded Crosses are 1st Class 699 2nd Class1019 3rd Class 475 Total 2193 PS. I noticed that your Document looks lit was more personally addressed ,fact makes me think that the VIPs were presented with such type of Document Regards

Very nice

It is the last point of your question and explanation This LOH was sold on eBay France i did not buy it Just listed as "interesting" item Congrats -very good observation BTW The seller managed to get very good price from the ignorance of the buyers

Very nice and rare document Thanks

Good point

Nice Photo

Hi Steve, Very nice Documents Especially the second one because it is one of the last one for the medal for merit It is from the republican period. It is similar like mine. The first one is also very interesting, because it is one of the first Communist Documents

Very nice Photo Thanks for showing it