Gordon Craig

Igor, Here is an internet translation. The best that I can do. Regards, Gordon Valuable donation from Burgas collector - 14/10/2010 - 18:07 PM.CATEGORIES: SOCIETY National History Museum received very valuable donation referring to the period of the new Bulgarian history. Businessman Janko Stefanov Kesarovski of Burgas donate to fondavete NHM collection of matrices Bulgarian princes and the king's orders and signs, said Violeta Velikova - Senior expert in NIM. He was officially declared one of the biggest donors of Bulgaria. The ceremony was in the NMI and was honored by the deputy. Minister of Culture Todor Chobanov, director of the museum Dr. Tsvetana Kyoseva SCOP prosecutor Nikolai Solarov, senior officials of the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Culture and specialists. The award-high recognition is Janko Kesarovski chairman donation association of the town. Bourgas In Bulgarian museums for the first time joined a collection of ordenski matrices. They are designed and manufactured in world-renowned Viennese company "Rothe & Nefe", punching state orders and domestic orders of European rulers homes. The collection contains 146 number matrices Bulgarian state awards and monarchical character created in the time of King Aleksander I, King Ferdinand I king Ferdinand I and Boris III.Included are the highest awards of the country in princely period - the Order "St. Alexander "Order" St. St. Cyril and Methodius equal to the apostles' since the Kingdom of Bulgaria, medals "For Military Merit", "Civil Merit" badge of honor "Red Cross" Cross "For the Independence of Bulgaria - 1908" royal monograms and crowns for needles.With some the matrices are Minted copies of previously unknown issues and patterns. This refers to the highest state award - the Order "St. St. Cyril and Methodius equal to the apostles "and a thumbnail of the order of honorary signs and their thumbnails needles with royal monogram. The exhibits are very well preserved, only a few have cracks. Matrices are unique historical source of national importance for the history of the Bulgarian state after liberation in 1878. Historically, the reward system is part of the struggle for the establishment of Bulgarian statehood in the Principality of Bulgaria. It is generally accepted Decorations and Medals be taken as symbols presented national identity in a modern Europe. However, despite prohibitions in the decisions of the Berlin Congress and limitations of the Turnovo Constitution Bulgarian rulers create distinctions that are worthy deserving of Homeland Bulgarian soldiers and citizens served and foreign politicians, rulers, intellectuals.Matrices are among the fundamental objects of study and learning and development of Bulgarian phaleristics and heraldry. It is known that the most important heraldic elements - classic Bulgarian royal crown and the image of the lion are designed first and realized as part of the Orders and Medals. They are proof of the professionalism of the authors of these awards, which combines common Christian imagery with signs of European dynasties - Hessian and Coburg rulers elements and medieval Bulgarian symbols. The collection contains: I. Matrices of Order "ST. ST. Cyril and Methodius " Complete the Great necklace of the Order, for complete cutting of the Order and the star and complete set for punching a miniature of the Order. The Order is made under a project of Haier background Rosenfeld of the firm" Rothe and Neffe "(Vienna) the firm "Zimmerman" (Pforzheim, Germany).Unknown model sign the order that features a lily on the shoulders of the cross. It may be made especially for this necklace, which is greater in size than published. The plates of the known ogarlieta sizes are from 24h24 to 34h34 mm mm as opposed to the matrix which has a size of tile 44h43mm. II. Matrices of Order "ST. ALEXANDER " Great Cross of the Order, Star of the Grand Cross of the Order" St. Alexander "Commander's Cross of the Order" St. Alexander "Star Command Mr. Cross and Order" St. Alexander "fitserski Cross of the Order" St. Alexander "Knight's Cross of the Order" St. Alexander "VI class. III. Matrices PEOPLE ORDER "Civil Merit" (BULGARISCHER CIVILVERDIENSORDEN ") represent a full set of Grand Cross - Prof.. Ferdinandova likely prince issue after 1893, a full set of fourth degree - Officer's Cross and additional elements - lion, oak branches and crown. IV. Matrices PEOPLE medal "For military service" and "Civil Merit" (BULGARISCHER CIVIL / MILITARDIENSTORDEN) Group packs matrices Orders "Civil Merit", "For Military Merit" and the order "For Bravery". IV. Matrices honorary sign "RED CROSS" matrices correspond to the descriptions of the honorary sign of the Second Batenbergova issue of 1886 are proposed three ring, a crown, four trim, a cross and two pcs. molds for miniatures. Full kit etc. great sign from 1886 Future detailed studies and historical information will help their precise dating. The problem stems from the fact that in one year - 1886 ordered two issues after less than two in 1888 another. V. The Dies of CROSS "ON INDEPENDENCE OF BULGARIA-1908" contains matrices of two sets of miniatures of the cross that are different in size. VI. Matrices Mark "Red Cross" - Bulgarisches Sanitatszeichen (Bulgarian sanitary badge) Four number matrices for punching a character with unique sizes and three matrices miniature characters. Complete set for punching the sign "Red Cross" - Ferdinandova prince issue of 1892 . Single-sided. Its dimensions are larger than the known specimens are 44h30 mm. Probably minted a limited number of characters for dignitaries. Not published similar sign. It is not known miniature of the sign. VII. Matrices monograms needle Three monogram with the letter "F". Two matrices with decorative ornaments that serve to pad the letter. Two with monogram of Queen Maria Luisa. A monogram of Prince Alexander I. VIII. Matrices for the crown and chief dies images of four sizes princely crowns and two royal. It is possible that the crowns are to honorary signs "Red Cross" or for self use as lined on boxes with gifts, household items on the royal family as boxes of letters, toiletries and more.

Gentlemen, Can anyone answer Zsolt's question about the value of his grandfathers award? Regards, Gordon

Igor, Very interesting addition to this thread. A very interesting medal bar and information on an interesting man. Regards, Gordon

Great photos gentlemen. Lots of new info here for me. cimbineus, Good to have you back with us again. Regards, Gordon

Avsar Ibar, Excellent photos. Really great for reference. Much better than anything in my reference books. Regards, Gordon

Avsar Ibar, Thanks again for this interesting information. Regards, Gordon

Avsar Ibar, Thanks for your quick and informative response. Regards, Gordon

Gentlemen, Is this a Third class of the subject Order? Is this the correct ribbon? Regards, Gordon http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/ottoman-medal-for-compassionate-british-lady-to-go-under-the-hammer.aspx?pageID=238&nID=77387&NewsCatID=385

Demir, Thanks for the comment. I was sure that the Ottoman medals would have been made in Germany because of the dates some of the other medals were instituted. The real question on a bar like this is "Were these Ottoman Empire medals made in the 1930s or are they recent copies?" A very difficult thing to figure out. Dedenhausen, At first glance this medal bar is of interest but after some closer observation it is just a research project. I knew it was going to be discussed on the German forum that you mentioned. A colleague told me he had posted it for comments. I tried to join this forum but the security question stumped me. Everything on the form to join was in English but the security question and it can not be translated the way it is written so my application went unfinished. Thanks for your comments. I wouldn't buy it either. Regards, Gordon

Demir, Thanks for your comments. #2 is a state commemorative award for the 1914/1918 war and is in the correct location on the bar. #3 is a commemorative award issued by the Third Reich in 1935 so the bar would have been made up in this configuration after this medal was received. #4 is the Kyffhäuser award from a veterans organization. The PALASTINA bar would be correct for someone who served in the German Asiakorps and I would expect to see this bar in a medal bar containing three Ottoman awards. Claudius, There is concern about this medal bar in Germany. The clean back, and the material used on the back, is a problem as you have pointed out. The whole thing would be very desirable if it were to have good provenance but that is unfortunately not there. So it turns into a research project. It will be commented upon in some German language forums. Regards, Gordon

Gentlemen, I have seen this artifact on elsewhere and would like your opinion on it. The Ottoman awards were possibly made in Germany so authenticity, IE made in the Ottoman Empire, is not the question. Does this bar look possible to you? Would a silver and gold Imityaz medal have been worn together? Since this is a German bar that question my not be relevant. Any relevant comments that you can make would be appreciated. Regards, Gordon

Paul, Thanks. There seems to be numerous posts on the net re the Ethiopian soldiers in Korea. One I read says that the last rotation of the battalion took their dead back to Ethiopia for burial. I wonder if the first two rotations did the same thing? Regards, Gordon

Jean-Paul, Thanks for the quick response. A reference in a book is of more interest than one in the web that doesn't give a reference for the number quoted. I've come across the number of 5,650 for the Ethiopian UN medal previously. I've also seen the number of 4000 for those made and 3518 issued. I shouldn't have asked if they were standard UN medals because I already know that they aren't. My understanding for UN issued medals is that countries often made their own. For example Greece didn't issue a standard UN medal for Korean. You will be more familiar with these medals than I am. I should have posted the back of the Ethiopian medal in my first post. Here is one now. Regards, Gordon

Gentlemen, I am doing some research on medals for service in Korean awarded to Ethiopian members of the Kagnew Battalion. Specifically where was the Commemorative Ethiopian Korean medal produced; how many were made and what was the normal mounting arrangement for Ethiopian medals? The second Ethiopian medal that I am interested in is the UN medal awarded to Ethiopians. Were they standard UN medals with the Ethiopian clasps attached or was the whole medal, including the clasp, made by a specific firm/mint etc.? How many were made and how many were awarded? Pictures of these two medals are posted below. Regards, Gordon

Jock, The state insignia on the end of the pommel is only on a General Officers dagger. Officers daggers had a hammered surface where yours has the state crest. Generals daggers are gold coloured. Air Force and Army officers daggers are silver coloured. Officers daggers for the Volksmarine are gold coloured. Your daggers has lost a lot of the surface finish on the handle, cross guard and scabbard. This unusual and indicates poor storage. All of the daggers that I have seen in the box are in excellent condition and the finish is perfect. I doubt very much that your dagger started out in this box. I think that it was added later. I'll take pictures of some of my daggers later today and post them to show you what I mean about the finish on the daggers and scabbards. Regards, Gordon

Jock, The only way to tell the arm of service is by the colour of the material on the hanger. The hangers shown here are for the Border Guard. I have a similarly engraved dagger in a white case with Border Guard hangers. Mine is a General Officers dagger with the state seal on the end of the pommel. Regards, Gordon

ccj, Interesting array of Finish uniforms. Thanks for showing us your collection. Regards, Gordon

Brett, Thanks. I have pictures of a group such as you mentioned. I did not post it because I did not have permission to do so. I'll ask if I may post the picture. I found it very interesting. I did a talk on the medal to the Ottawa chapter of the OMRS last week. Regards, Gordon

Gentlemen, The medals referred to here is the German South West Africa Medal in Bronze. The medal was issued in two classes; Bronze for actual participation in battle and Steel for those who assisted in the movement of troops and material to German Southwest Africa including the crews of German shipping lines chartered to ferry troops and supplies to the colony. When some of the leaders of the revolt in German South West Africa escaped into the Cape Colony in 1907 the German Government ask for assistance from the Cape Government in capturing these men. The Cape government assembled a Mounted Squadron under Maj. F.A.H. Elliott of the Cape Mounted Rifles. The mounted squadron consisted of 78 members of the Cape Mounted Police and 27 members of the Cape Mounted Riflemen. Ninety of these men took part in the battle that killed the leader of the revolt. They received the medal with a gold coloured (brass) clasp that said "KALAHARI 1907" in it. The other 17 men received the medal without the clasp. There was another group of rebels who escaped into Bechuanaland and they were tracked down by the British Protectorate Police Force. I do not know how many men of the British Protectorate Police Force were involved in this action but they were also awarded the same German medal but this time with a gold coloured clasp "KALAHARI 1908". I have never seen a KALAHARI 1908 clasp. The men were authorized to wear these medals on their dress uniforms and did so until the start of the First World War in 1914. Regards, Gordon

Dan, This is the Norwegian Sharp Shooters badge. You can find it here; https://axis101.bizland.com/NorwegianAwards01.htm Regards, Gordon

Gentlemen, The medal suspended from the pocket button is the cross for the 11th Italian Army. The ribbon is missing. Many of this type of "unofficial" awards were issued by Italian units during WWII. Regards, Gordon

Uwe, Thanks for this explanation of what the two awards were earned for doing. This sort of information is often unknown about many awards. Regards, Gordon

A very nice early bar. Thanks for posting it. Regards, Gordon

Michael, Woven cap cords were not worn on any forms of head dress in the BW. Only the flat black ones. The coloured cords on your BM cap could be from a couple of different areas; 1-DDR Postal cap, or 2-BRD Railroad cap. I haven't taken the time to go through my reference material to see if I can identify them. That would be an interesting piece of research for me. Regards, Gordon

Gentlemen, Not LKS/LV related but still worn by those that fly. A visor cap from the helicopter unit of the Border Guards. All metal insignia. Perhaps time for some BG stuff? Regards, Gordon