Brian Wolfe

Very nce collection Hugh, something I have seen little of but enjoy immensely.

Thanks for posting them.

Cheers

Brian

Hi James,

It was probably NOT recommended for the King to travel during this time period, given what a prime "target" he would make. The trip to Canada and Newfoundland and probably the United States was likely as much political as anything. By that I mean it was prudent to "remind" us whose side we were on, not if but, when war broke out. That's not a slam at the Monarchy by any means nor a slight towards India, however, the need for American and Canadian support out weighed the risks, I think.

I've never heard the general opinion from India or Indians of that generation regarding the Monarchy of those times. I would be interested in their points of view. I'm sure it would differ from ours. I hope this is not taken as fuel for a topic that will be closed because it is too hot for the forum, it's just my thoughts on the subject, random and unorganized as my thoughts usually are.

Cheers

Brian

PS- Should anyone care (?), I can add a few examples of the royal "hanger-on" badges for the trips to India or of groups containing these medals. But most would, probably, rather see groups to Europeans, and these can better be posted in The Other Sub-Forum?

You only need to ask.

I'm asking.

Thanks for a great post Ed.

Cheers

Brian

Hello Paul,

Thanks for the suggestion.

I never thought about those large flat containers, I'll check them out.

I was wondering if the store where I buy my "top loaders" (for my photo postcards) might have something like them in poster size but have not had the chance to stop in.

I have a map from 1919 showing Europe as it was after WWI and on the back is a day by day account of the war. I had it professionally framed with glass on both sides. It is very heavy and cost too much to start making a habit of that.

Thanks again.

I'll post my findings.

Cheers

Brian

Hello Everyone,

I have purchased two maps of India, one from 1946 (pre-Independence) and one from 1997 of Independent India for comparison. I would like to know how other collectors store their maps as they are now folded and in time will suffer damage from the creasing. I am short on wall space so would the members suggest map tubes as a way of storage?

Thanks for your opinions.

Cheers

Brian

Nice medals Darrell.

I really like seeing what other collectors add to their collections.

Cheers

Brian

Thanks Uwe and Hugh for the information. I usually "hit" the net for information but this time I thought it was for some sort of alliance with another country so I never checked.

Many thanks.

Cheers

Brian

My first GUESS would be that it is a corporate award from a company named "Alliance Fran?aise."

You seem to have Happy Hunting Grounds up there with a variety of interesting items I can only remember fondly from here in Southern Canada back in the early 1980s, sigh.

Hi Rick,

Yep, there are a few places left where the hunting is still pretty good.

However, like everywhere it is getting pick over.

Thanks and cheers

Brian

Here's the reverse.

Thanks again for any help you can give me.

Cheers

Brian

Here is a closer view of the obverse.

Brian

Hello Everyone,

I purchased this medal today and it was simply tagged as "French". The medal seems to be an older one struck from silver. On the obverse is the name "BRENET". There was a Frence artist named Nicolas-Guy Brenet, could this be one of his designs? On the rim's edge is the word "ARGENT" which I believe refers to "silver". The reverse has the words, "ALLIANCE FRANCAISE". I would be interested in knowing what the medal is, what it was awarded for and any other information that may be available.

Any assistance you can give me is greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Brian

Here is the back of the mount.

The pin has been broken off but it is an authentic group.

Cheers

Brian

Hello Everyone,

I just got this in and wanted to show it off. Its a group of five ribbons with one having its medal.

The group was awarded to:

IB522059 PTR. R.KUMAR

The group consists of:

Special Service Medal (1986) Ed stated on SAGONGS that this would or could have had the Suraksha clasp, though no such clasp was ever on this ribbon.

Op (Operation) Parakram Medal (2005)

Sainya Seva Medal (1960)

High Altitude Medal (1986)

50th Anniversary of Independence Medal (1997)

The 50th Anniversay of Independence Medal is named which is not common. When it was mounted it was put up the wrong way around so the reverse is showing. The other thing I noticed is that the High Altitude Medal is cloth rather than the plasticised paper ribbon I've seen in the past.

I am quite happy to be adding a group awarded to a paratrooper to my collection.

Cheers

Brian

I had to add this photo.

It is of the Royal couple as they are leaving the train station in Kitchener, Ontario during their visit to Canada shortly after the Coronation.

Cheers

Brian

Here's the reverse.

Princess Elizabeth is not seen very often on medals of any kind so I am quite fond of this small item in me collection.

Cheers

Brian

Wow is this thread ever going political quickly! I see myself as a colonial to the point of being an Empire Loyalist even though my family first came to Canada from the U.K. in 1799. The last arrived from Prussia in the early 1850s. Still, I missed the "slam" towards the British Empire completely in the past few posts. I do find it interesting that the term "native" can even be applied to the majority of people living in the U.K. as history tells me the original peoples have been displaced over and over again back to the dawn of written history. Here if I called myself a native I would be reminded that I am not a member of the First Nations (Indians for those who don't know better) and that I should not consider myself a "native". Even though my family predates Canada as a nation.

I guess there is a history here on the forum that I don't need to know. To bad to spoil Darrell's post with this political sniping. Would it be out of line to ask that such "putting one in their place", so-to-speak, indeed be reserved to PMs? It really takes the pleasure out of posts like this.

Thanks for letting me put in my two cents worth and I hope no one takes offence by this.

As a way to make it up I am posting a little medal given out during the Coronation in 1937. What I liked about it the most is on the reverse.

I hope you like it as much as I do.

Cheers

Brian

Here are the "reverse" sides of the medallions. You can see the spots of verdigris on the brozne medallion. I noticed that I can remove it, for the most part, with my finger nail. It's on my workbench for now until I get time this afternoon to tackel this problem.

Cheers

Brian

Here is my favourite side of the medallion, perhaps because as that was how Queen Victoria looked like to me when I was a kid.

Just how old is this codger!!!!! You may be thinking. The government won't let you die until they get all of the taxes out of you that they can here in Canada.

The silver medallion is in better condition than the photo shows and I left it in the package that the deasler stored it in as I have not had the time to get to the local coin dealer to purchase a proper holder. There was a box that these came in that I don't have but the dealer supplied a picture of one such box along with this medallion. He laminated the computer image so I've kept it with the medallion thinking that I will never be lucky enough to find an authentic one.

Brian

Hi Ed,

I know there is a tendency, on the part of some, to ignor the former "Empire" out side of the U.K. but the Dubar Medals are a part of any discussion regarding Coronation and Jubilee Medals. Who am I preaching to?!

The only Coronation or Jubilee item I have other than what has been posted is a cased Bronze Medallion and a single silver small version. I have been told the larger cased bronze medallion was given to Senior Civil Servants and the smaller (25 cent coin sized) issue was for Junior Civil Servants. I have not verified this so don't take it as gospel and if anyone can add to my limited knowledge please do so.

I noticed, it taking the bronze medallion out to photograph that ther eis some verdigris starting to appear that needs my attention.

I hope you like my offering, and about those Dubar Medals Ed....

Cheers

Brian

What a great collection!

Thanks for posting such wonderful photos.

Cheers

Brian

Swordguy has nailed it on the head.

All I would add is that you must be very careful when looking for a conservation "expert". There are many, even ones in local museums, who are far from qualified to conserve a fine blade. Some will "give it a go" at the expense of the artifact. Best to leave it alone.

I find that a product named Conserver's Wax works very well, it's expensive but well worth the cost.

Nice blades by the way.

Cheers

Brian

Hi Boris,

That's a handy resource, thanks for posting it.

Cheers

Brian

The owner of the store purchsed this from a compant that either does or did produce full scale models. I believe he has also donated a German fighter (type?) to the Canadian Aeronautics Museum.

Cheers

Brian

Hi Peachy,

That is a great photo.

The spear shaft looks a little long for the traditional stabbing spear yet too short for a good throwing spear, though the blade looks correct. I am wondering if this was the best of both weapons combined into one spear by the owner.

The Assegai is actually a shorter bladed throwing spear that is found throughout Africa, from what I have read on the subject.

The short stabbing spear invented by Shaka Zulu is called an Iklwa. The name is derived from the sound the weapon makes as it enters the enemy's body (or exits, I can't recall which at the moment).

Cheers

Brian

Here is an Assegi that came from South Africa by way of the U.K. to me. Because they are common throughout Africa I can only "hope" it is of Zulu origin as it would be hard to prove.

Here is the reverse, which is in English except for the motto at the top.

Cheers

Brian