Graf

Hi New World, The boxes are as you suggested Prince Alexander./early Prince Ferdinand period It is speculated that, although most of the Bulgaria Order for Bravery during Prince Alexander period,were made in Russia, that in the later stages of his realm some of the decorations were made in Austria, mainly by the Austrian firm Schwerdtner. It is very likely that the boxes could be for the earlier models, however also some left over boxes could be supplied with the later model Prof Pavlov in his book is showing such a box to be for the early Prince Model.-page 17 see picture I am proud owner of two of such boxes including the one with the violet velvet. Interesting fact is that they are different in size, which makes me think that the smaller size is for a lower grade Order like 4th Class, although i am housing in it the early model of Real Silver Soldier's Cross, and the bigger one is for the 3rd Class Also those boxes are with push buttons locks Here are the boxes next to each other Also the boxes compared with the later model boxes for 3/4 Class Orders Graf

Dear Members from the Austrian Section, We need help and more information regarding the Mark (*) -asterisk on the Austrian and other countries Award made by Austrian Makers I collect Bulgarian Awards and decorations and many of them are Austrian made Few of them have this mark My knowledge is that this is the Mark for Bronze/Brass I also read that it was customary used during the war time for awards made by Brass, which were later replaced by Gold and Siler/Gilded ones I posted as much information on the thread -Bulgaria Red Cross Badge You can read this Here is some information from Military dealers from around the world-,Austria, North America and UK -FRANZ JOSEPH ORDEN, Ritterkreuz mit der Kleindekoration zum Offizierskreuz mit KD. AE - vergoldet und emailliert, im ovalen Bandring Sternchenpunze(Starmark) Note: AE is Bronze/Brass, AR is Silver AU is Gold -Military Merit Order 3rd class (Commander) with original full length ribbon. WW1 period (late Ferdinand issue). Most likely of Austrian manufacture (probably Schwerdtner). Suspension eye marked with a 'star punch' which was customary for Austrian decorations marked for replacement in gold/silver gilt after the War. Ultimately, we are uncertain why the mark is there (for this is not an Austrian decoration) but interesting never the less - undoubtedly of War period manufacturing. Gilded Note: This is Bulgarian Award - Order of Franz Joseph Knight badge in bronze gilt with star hallmark Please give us more information on the topic Graf

Hi New World, The temporary status applied only for the Austrian Awards I am not familiar with the Awards That was passed as information to me The asterisk is the mark for Brass and I am 100% sure about that If you are not sure about this information take your St Alexander Award to a jeweler and test it Here is some information from Military dealers from around the world-,Austria, North America and UK -FRANZ JOSEPH ORDEN, Ritterkreuz mit der Kleindekoration zum Offizierskreuz mit KD. AE - vergoldet und emailliert, im ovalen Bandring Sternchenpunze(Starmark) Note: AE is Bronze/Brass, AR is Silver AU is Gold -Military Merit Order 3rd class (Commander) with original full length ribbon. WW1 period (late Ferdinand issue). Most likely of Austrian manufacture (probably Schwerdtner). Suspension eye marked with a 'star punch' which was customary for Austrian decorations marked for replacement in gold/silver gilt after the War. Ultimately, we are uncertain why the mark is there (for this is not an Austrian decoration) but interesting never the less - undoubtedly of War period manufacturing. Gilded Note: This is Bulgarian Award - Order of Franz Joseph Knight badge in bronze gilt with star hallmark However, perhaps we can ask the Members in the Austrian Section who are more knowledgeable for more clarification Graf

Hi New World, I have few Red Cross Badges and Bulgarian Orders that are marked with this sign. Actually if you look one of my badges is similar as eMedals badge and is marked with the same sign The sign means that the Badge is made from Brass There are fe Bulgarian Orders -Austrian made - that are marked with this sign Many war time Austrian Orders were made from brass and marked with the star,or more correctly called asterisk(*) sign and were considered as temporary awards that later were replaced with corresponding correct gold or silver gilded ones Graf

Latest arrival in my collection Graf

Hi Ilief, i do not have many boxes and Documents however other members can contribute to your site If you want i will try to take pictures in a methodical order. How do you want them - single pictures or group ones by periods? Graf

Hi Le Collection Phaleristique Thank you for the opinion. It is very valuable The Fake 1st Restoration is long back sent to the dealer The shocking thing is that I advised him about the findings and despite that he listed the LOH again...and nearly triple the original price It is still on sale. i will not disclose his name..bu Buyer Beware i am helping the members by showing the facts and the opinions of other memebers BTW you are the second person who mentioned that the 1st Restoration Orders are due to mistake by LOH maker. Very Interesting fact BTW My Collection of the 2nd Empire Luxury miniatures is steadily growing Graf

Hi Balkan Collector, Thank you for the comments I like the Hero of Socialist Labour Star because it is very simple in design and yet has a very powerful presence I will try to list couple of more Sets with different type of Documents. in the near future Regards Graf

Typical Set for the Hero of Socialist Labour Star with Order of Georgi Dimitrov and Document Graf

Hi New World Thank you for the comments Graf

Here are some of the boxes for the Hero of Socialist Labour Stars - first picture- the left light red box is the 1st Model -it has only the 9.IX.1944, the one on the right is next model -second picture - most common boxes for the following models Stars - third picture two luxury boxes given to VIPs Note the Big box could combined box for the Hero Star and the Order of Georgi Dimitrov,, which is given with the Star or in many cases only for the Hero Star

Hi Balkan Collector, Thank you for the comments I hope the Classification i used is the most correct one Not many books cover in extend the Socialist Awards Graf

For a little bit difference I would like to share my Hero of Socialist Labor StarsFrom top left to bottom right- 1st Model (1)- 2nd Model with three different Mint Marks on the back (6)-3rd Model with Mint marks on the side of one of the arms in means of Number 0 (2) : 1(2) and 2 (3)- Wearer Copy -marked R (1)The numbers in brackets represent the number of StarsOne of the Stars from the 3rd Model is double marked with number "1" I will post also different models boxes related to the StarsRegards Graf

HI Ilieff, No problem Here are couple more pictures Just as information this is a Star of the 1st Class of the catholic Order

Hi Igor, Congrats for the Group if you managed to get it The mark Silber is not strong indication for Godet Most of the Bulgarian Stars were made by the German Firm Zimmermann As the New World stated the Star was made during the King Boris III period and later was converted to a republican Model by altering the central medallion to comply with the new rules Here is the same Star before being converted Graf

Hi Ilieff, i am still exploring your site Very nice. It could be nice to add the Special Aniversary1937 Model with flat reverse medallion for both the Civil Merit and the Military Merit Orders, Both are from the Royal Period and in my opinion deserve a place in your site. Just a suggestion. Graf

Hi I llieff, Great Work. As you said I must have taken a lot time and dedication Well Done. i hope the members with their comments can help you to fine tune some of the sections and/or to add more info to it I have to got very slowly bit by bit to consume all the information before i can give you any constructive comments. For the moment just to show you those pictures of the "Third Type' red Cross The Box is with the King Ferdinand sign that means it was made during his time Hi 99F It appears that Ilieff work cover only "Royal Orders" It appears that the Vicariate of Sofia and Philippopel - Order of Saints Cyril and Methodius does not fall within the scope of your work. This Order was not a Royal one and Prince Ferdinand asked the Vatican Vicariate to stop giving it because it will clash with the new Official Royal Order It is very rare one and not many people know about it. Very interesting fact is when i was in Bulgaria last September i visited the current catholic Head of the Bulgarian Head in Bulgaria Catholic Church in Sofia. He did not know about the Order i promised to send him some information and pictures Graf

Thank you for the nice comments Cheers Graf

One more miniature

Hi New World, Congrats on the lovely Set Very rare box for this class BTW Have you noticed that most of the boxes from from this model have rounded corners as well. I suspect the Firm Schwertner was given the contract to make most of this awards from this model, especially the 1st class

Hi 92F I suppose, although they are not marked , to be by Schwertner The only marked are the Stars on the back. Some boxes are marked by this maker some are not. Hi Ilieff, I published the Crosses only because they are distinctive from the other Models Here is the 1st Class Set, The 2nd Class will follow Yes the ladies cross without the crown is bigger than the one with the crown. Both 5th Class crosses with the crown appear smaller The 5th cross without the crown is by Rote and is featured in Prof Pavlov book as item 202 as the next model. In my humble opinion i think that this cross belongs to the late period of Princely Model, because it comes with a Princely box and has, apart from the Lion, very similar features as the first model. I have my collection on different places and i have to look for the other 5th Class without the crown from this model It is interesting that during this period there are crosses from the next King model that the makers used the first model crosses with King crown. In his book Prof Pavlov stated that such crosses were made as early as 1900 after the Order for Military Merit was introduced -see pictures of 1st Class Cross and the 5th Class -both with king Crown but with Princely Crosses Therefore it is very difficult to make a sharp cut of any period and Model -

Dear Members i would like to share my Collection of Crosses of the very 1st Princely Model of the Bulgaria Order for Civil Merit The only one missing is the 6th Class with princely crown, which is extremely rare One of the Officer Crosses is with machine made oak leaves, which is the 2nd type of this model Graf

Thank you Ruiz, The Bulgarian miniatures are relatively rare. I collect miniatures, mainly from the countries I have the Standard size Orders and decorations. I am still chasing a Bulgarian Miniature with Diamonds. They are extremely rare and i hope one day i will get a hold of one of them. So far I have seen only one in a published Bulgarian book by Todor Petrov - "Bulgarian Orders and Medals" -page 105 Regards Graf

Thanks Ilieff, thank yopu also for the information. It is interesting mark that needs more research. The German Iron Crosses 2nd Class miniatures usually are marked with numbers for the Silver content like - 950, 900 and 800 Here is my last miniature- Red cross -listed in other forum as well I hope this year will bring me more miniatures Graf