Graf

Thanks New World, Here are few more Bulgarian Miniatures Order of St. Alexander Commander Class -very large mini and a nice first model Knight Class and Order for Military Merit and a nice medal King Ferdinand model and also a very interesting large miniature of the 1914 2nd Class of the iron cross with a mark -king crown and A3. I was informed that this mark was the Bulgarian Import mark for Silver, which means it was owned by a Bulgarian Civil or Military person. Any more information about that? Graf

The Soldiers Cross miniature in this shape is only available in 1957 Model I have seen it in other miniature Group in in 1957 Model The Orders were made at that time in West Germany to replicate the Awards won by German Military Staff during WW2 period This happened when The West Germany Government banned any Awards with Swastika I suppose that the Rule for the Soldiers Cross did not apply for non Bulgarian especially during WW2 period I also can speculate that it was an unusual design for an officer Class ?!! I also have never seen it in this shape in the other Models i will list all of the Bravery Order Miniatures in my collection Also a close-up of the unusual Bravery miliature As you see the quality is not as good as the miniatures made in the earlier periods. Graf

The Soldiers Cross miniature in this shape is only available in 1957 Model I have seen it in other miniature Group in in 1957 Model The Orders were made at that time in West Germany to replicate the Awards won by German Military Staff during WW2 period This happened when The West Germany Government banned any Awards with Swastika I suppose that the Rule for the Soldiers Cross did not apply for non Bulgarian especially during WW2 period I also have never seen it in this shape in the other Models i will list tomorrow all of the Bravery Order Miniatures in my collection Graf

Thanks Paul. I like miniatures I try always to get the matching miniatures to the Full size Orders i collect. I will use this thread to show you some of my Bulgarian miniatures i will start with the Order for Civil Merit

Hi, Here are two very nice miniature Groups from two different periods Both of them are most likely owned by German Officers, however they include few Bulgarian Orders The First Group is 1880- 1918 period It has three Bulgarian Miniatures -Order for Bravery -4th Class, Order for Military Merit -4/5th Class and the 1915-1918 Commemorative medal The Second Group is the 1957 Model of Decorations to a WW2 German Officer It includes two Bulgarian Orders- Very Interesting 3rd or 4th Class Class of the Soldiers Cross of the Order for Bravery and a nice 4th Class of the Order for Military Merit with war decoration Graf

Hi Paul Wood Thank you for the opinion. What shocked me most was the fact that those medallions were not 200 years old as you see on the pictures above. The way the central medallions were made , at least at the early stages even through Second empire is different from those 1st Restoration ones attached to the 2nd Restoration Cross The first thing that brought my attention, when the Order arrived is the fact that a supposedly later Model cross is so much damaged comparing to supposedly earlier central medallions -nearly mint. Second fact the central medallion with the Henry IV is very murky and not as clear as the quality from this period demands. Third fact the loose central medallions and the way they are attached and glued -the glue is not an old one, the loop is modern tin.Also the two parts are glued with a modern epoxy glue. Fourth as you said the the correct "Hybrid' combination should be 1st Empire Cross with 1st Restoration medallions not the one presented -it does not make sense. Here are some pictures of correct construction of medallions from 1st and 2nd Empire with the correct brown and yellow wax Graf

Hi TacHel, Hi Paul Wood, i would like your opinion as well That how i felt as well. Here are two Crosses from this period You can compare the central medallions The 1R Cross is in the worse condition with the "best' preserved medallions To add to the topic the Two parts of the central medallions were glued with a modern epoxy..and also the new loops for attaching to the Cross were glued the same way Graf

Hi TacHel, That how i felt as well. To add to the topic the Two parts of the central medallions were glued with a modern epoxy..and also the new loops for attaching to the Cross were glued the same way Graf

Dear Members, I just want to so share my recent experience with a "rare " 1st Restoration LOH Knight Class As you follow the thread you can noticed that I did seek more information regarding this Model. I came across of one of those "Rare birds" Did I? I managed to buy it. Very excited! When The "bird" arrived I did feel very uneasy Something was wrong. -First the Cross was from the 2nd Restoration Period and very badly damaged. -Second the Central medallions looked very new nearly mint including the reverse one with the crown and the three lilies -Third the medallions were very loose and I managed to detached them with a gentle pool My findings were not very good. I did not feel comfortable keeping it and i return the LOH Was i wrong by returning this "rare bird"? Did i let a rare "rare bird" to sleep from my hands? Judge by yourself I need your opinion Now it is for sale again for a much higher price!!!!! No comments ! Graf

That is a problem, . Till very recently the fakers 's focus was the high end items. Now obviously they are going to low level items. I hope they will not mass produce them I have heard that there is an online Auction site in Bulgaria which is only for the local market ...and that there are many fakes offered there as originals In September i went to Sofia, as part of trip to the Balkans. I went to the market around St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral, because i had been told that there they sell Militaria. i was not very impressed, because the items on offer were mainly very cheaply made reproductions, that cannot fool any collector. Well , we have to keep our eyes wide open. Graf

Hi Ilieff, I will try to list few pictures of of the Order sold on the Auction I did not know this catalogue attracted so much interest I did buy it couple of years ago from a French dealer Graf

Hi Ilieff, Thanks. It look one of them is Silver. I did not have a chance to take pictures, because i was the only visitor at the the time and i have one of the members of the staff with me all the time Yes although, those books are very nice attempt to cover the Bulgarian decorations and Orders they have some weak points. The same i noticed in the Museum - there are few mixed Sets and missing labels plus few other problems,however very impressive display The main problems for us collectors are do you have to follow the books and be safe or we have to buy items using our own guts instinct ..plus the additional knowledge we gained over the years. I found many of the Dealers in Bulgaria not very helpful The Dealers out of Bulgaria do have very basic knowledge. Some Auction Houses try to provide as much information as possible, which does not mean is correct all the time. Graf

Hi Ilieff Yes I have the Catalogue it is from 7th of July 1998 It has pictures of more important Orders in colour and black and white of less important and some do not have pictures. The Top cover features Prince/King Ferdinand Pour Le Merite with Oak leave/Oak leaf I assume if you do a internet research you can buy it "second hand" one If you have problems i can list the pictures Best Graf

Hi Ilieff, Because there is only one Gold made medal known we assume that all of the existing ones have the same attachment. The information about the Bulgarian decorations is still growing For example there is no information about the weight of Medal for Merit made from different materials as we have for many other decorations from Europe that were very well researched I assume that the main reason was that this period from 1944 till 1990 when, i assume was not allowed such a research by the Bulgarian Authorities Also, because only, as you said only one-off pieces were made from Gold for handful people it will be impossible to standardize them. I can speculate that if any other Gold pieces were made there were probably from the Prince/King Ferdinand period As i mentioned in other paces in the Forum. there are still many pieces not described in the books and they are in exclusive private collections For example I have seen the Medal for Merit -Prince Ferdinand Model with King's Crown in Gold, while at the same time Prof Pavlov sates, in his boo,k that only a Medal in Bronze from this Model is known to him to exist About the piece in the Military Museum I am not 100% sure - I visited the Museum in September and i might have mingled my information. i had the impression that i saw this particular one -off Gold medal there. It is featured in few places and books, therefore one can get confused. If you live in Sofia you can check for us. Graf

Here are the Three Classes of this particular model. including the unique one in Gold i just looked also in 173 Kuenker Auction catalogue - there were three pieces sold - in Gold/Gilded, Silver and Bronze On this Auction one of the biggest collection of Bulgarian decorations, owned by Bulgarian in France, was sold The Gold/Gilded one was claimed to be Gilded bronze as the one listed on the second picture now with the box I have not tested mine, however I assume it is the same Gilded bronze, however this gives me the idea to see my local jeweler.

Hi Ilieff, Thank you for the comments and information The problem to prove the last sentence could be difficult, because there is no a united opinion what material was used for the Gold/Gilded Class. There is a only one unique Real Gold medal with Diamonds on the ribbon which is in the Museum in Sofia and is shown in few books. The other information is quite different -some authors claim that the medal is made of Gold, other Silver Gilded and third Group that it is Bronze Gilded. a fact which can open the door for the Fakers The only proof will be to test the Gilding and to compare with one well know Original Gold/Gilded piece. However all of them are stating that most of those Gold and/or Gold/Gilded medals were given to non Bulgarians This particular one comes from a German Dealer with a solid reputation....which in some aspects is not 100% proof that is an Original piece, although is some kind of solid reassurance. I did buy it at the time. without knowing that it is a rare bird, because I liked the princely crown and the mounting ribbon.. In general I keep away from any Medals apart from the Serbian - Bulgarian War ones in my collection.. The main reason is that the medals are much easier to be faked the the Orders with complex construction and different materials used. Graf

Hi , I am not too much in to this medal. However I have only this Gold/Gilded medal of Prince Ferdinand in my collection. i assume, it was removed from a Medal Bar of a German Officer. Graf

Hi Ilief, All His Russian Orders on the Catalogue are with red ribbon. If you are KING you decide the colour you likeh Graf

Hi Paul, Thank you for the Note You are correct -only Ladies I just listed the list of his Orders sold by Sotherby's in London on 7th of July 1998 Only the Royal Family will know how this Order happened to be among the other ones Graf

Here are the rest of the Ferdinand Decorations -Persia, Agdas decoration -Persia -, Order of the Lion and the Sun Grand Cross Military Division - Portugal , Military Order of the Tower and the Sword -Grand Cross - Portugal Order of the Christ and St Benedict of Aviz - Grand Cross Set by da Costa of Lisbon - Romania, Order of Carol I - Collar of the Grand Cross by Paul Telge of Berlin - Russia, Order of St. Andrew Collar of Grand Cross Set by Albert Keibel of St. Petersburg - Russia - Order of St Andrew Grand Cross Set - Russia - Order of St Catherine Grand Cross with Diamonds -Russia - Order of St Alexander Nevski Grand Cross with Diamonds - Russia - Order of St Alexander Nevski -Grand Cross Set by Alexander Kleibel of St Petersburg Russia - Order of the White Eagle - Grand Cross Russia - Order of St Vladimir Civil Devision Grand Cross Set Russia- Coronation of Nicholas II -Moskow 1898 Oficial Silver medals Russia ,Emirate of Bokhara - Order of the Crown of Bokhara -Grand Cross Set Turkey - Order of Nichan Al Imtiaz Grand Cross Set cirka 1905 Turkey Order of Nichan Al Imtiaz - Pair of Gold and Siver medals named to King Ferdinand On this Auction also were sold many Bulgarian Decorations owned by King Ferdinand Most of them very rare Luxury Models in Gold and Diamonds Apart from the Above List I can add: - the Belgium Prime Order of Leopold I Military Division Grand Cordon (Cross) Set Regards Graf

Hi Ilieff The Star of Legion of Honour was Silver made -not Gilded The Gilded Stars were introduced late after WW2 during the Fifth Republic - the currant one As many members of the Forum mentioned he was a Ruler and most of the Decorations were the highest Grades Also being a member of one of the richest Family in Europe with relatives spread as Rulers over the EUrope he must be showered with the Best Decorations available - including many with Diamonds Last bot not least he liked luxury and Luxury decorations, which could be known fact . Here is the list of his Orders sold by Sotherby's in London on 7th of July 1998 - The Premier Austria Order of the Golden Fleece by Rothe of Vienna -bestowed upon King Ferdinand in 1911 - Austria -Grand Cross collar of the Royal Hungarian Order of St Stephen by Rothe of Vienna - Austria - Grand Cross Set of the Hungarian Order of St Stephen with Diamonds - France Order of St Espirit -although this Order was seased in 1830 by the French it remained in possession of the House of Bourbon and i assume was given to Ferdinand as a gift by the one of the current at the time Bourbon family. - Grand Cross of the Bavaria Prime Order of St Hubert by Rothe of Vienna - Germany , Prussia Prime Order of Black Eagle Grand Cross Collar -J. Wagner & Son 0f Berlin - Germany, Prussia Pour le.Merite in Gold with Gold Oak-leaves bestosed to King Ferdinand on 8th of September 1916 as Generalfeldmarschall of the Prussian Army - The Second higest Germany Prussia Order of the red Eagle - Grand Cross Collar Germany, Saxe-Coburg -Gotha Order of Ernestine, Military Division Grand Cross Collar and Badge by Rothe of Vienna - Germany, Saxe-Coburg -Gotha Order of Ernestine, Military Division Grand Cross Set and Badge by Bury & Leonhart of Hanau Germany, Saxe-Coburg -Gotha Order of Ernestine, Military Division Grand Officer Set and Badge by Bury & Leonhart of Hanau Germany, Saxe-Coburg -Gotha Order of Ernestine, Military Division Gold Breast Knight Badge by Bury & Leonhart of Hanau -Great Britain , The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Civil Division , Grand Cross Collar in Gold by the Jonhn James Eddington -Great Britain , The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Civil Division , Grand Cross Set by Garrard & Co -Hungary Order of Vitez Breast badge by Semmelwieis of Budapest - Note Thos Order comes only in one Class. - Italy, Parma, Order of Constantine of St George Grand Cross Sash Badge in Gold and Diamonds and Rubies -Italy Two Sicilies Order of St Janarius Breast Star in Gold and Diamonds and Rubies by Rothe of Vienna King Ferdinand was nominated as Knight of the Order of St, Janarius in 1891 - Monaco Prime Order of St Charles -Grand Cross Set by Halley of Paris - Montenegro, Order of DaniloI by Mayer's Sohne of Vienna Grand Cross Set -Montenegro, Milosh Oblich Medal 1851 Type Montenegro Highest Decoration for Bravery on the field of battle. Montenegro Golden Jubilee medal -1910 Gold Class I will list the rest later on due to time restrictions Here are more pictures of King Ferdinand -

Hi Ilieff, Most of his decorations were sold few years ago in London by his Grandson -King Simeon, Some of them come for sale from time to time Here is his French legion of Honour - Grand Cross -the highest Class -It was awarded to him around WW1 period during the Third French Republic 1870-1940 The Set was on Auction in Gerrnany last year. Third French Republic (1870 - 1940) - National Order of the Legion of Honour (Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur) - a cased grand cross set Large sash decoration fashioned in gold with Marianne bust and year cipher "1870" surmounted by a sculpted wreath of leaves. Eagle head punches in the ribbon bow and suspension ring, the latter with lozenge-shaped maker's mark (crowned "V.L" trefoil). Width 69 mm. Weight 70 g. Included is the five-armed breast star of maker "OUIZILLE LEMOINE ... JOAILLIE DE LA LÉGION D'HONNEUR" in Paris with the new address "RUE ST. HONORÉ 356" on the attachment pin (wild boar head punch mark) and the same maker's mark on the clasp as on the cross. Width 91 mm. Weight 86.2 g. Together with the customised rosette sash and velvet appliqué in an award case (privately labelled) with gold-embossed ("R.F.") leather cover. A beautiful, matching orders set in very good condition. Worn by Tsar Ferdinand I of Bulgaria. Ex Müller Auction 34, Limburg, 23 September 1989, lot 46.

Thank you RUIZ, The problem is that those who bought the Stars will never find this fact till they decide to sell them and the buyer detects the problem. There are many stories about that. There are many collectors out there who do not join any forums and keep the items in their collections without knowing that they have fakes or reproductions instead of the real ones As a novice collector I was one of them. I had few "rare' Orders and Crosses that i did buy on "bargain' prices Gradually after obtaining more knowledge, started sharing experience with other collectors and joining the Forum I found out the truth That is why i started this Thread couple of years ago to help fellow collectors loosing their hard made money for fakes. Some dealers are honest and will never sell fakes, even they show pictures from time to time well known fakes with the relevant information However there are also dealers, on EBay who write articles about fakes but they sale fake themselves Be Aware of those things Follow your guts experience Even there was a story of a WW2 German veteran who was the Knight Cross of the Iron Cross winner. After the war someone managed to swap his Original Cross with a fake. and he kept it till the family decided to sell the KC and it was discovered that it was fake Graf

Sold for 850 EURO plus Com. sold for 850 EURO plus com sold for 580 EURO plus com sold 550 EURO plus com

Hi Ruiz The main problem with the modern fakes is that they do not use the 'old' glass like enamel which is very hard an the transparent type ones have a very nice depth The modern enamel is soft acrylic type and is detected by so called "needle ' test i do not know who introduced it, however it is very useful test. You take a fine needle and very gently push on the the surface =the old enamel will resist while the new "soft one' will let the needle sink and leave a small mark/hole. Do not push very hard in case that the enamel is Original -you can cause a crack into it In some fakes certain parts could be replaced on an original orders to increase the value of the order. For example The Order of St Alexander - The Commander Cross with green enamel could be upgraded to 1st Class by swapping the central medallion - as seen in this thread. It is important to check all the enamel parts Graf