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    ilieff

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    Everything posted by ilieff

    1. Since we're on the topic of golden medals, A Bulgarian collector posted on his facebook page a couple of rare birds: Golden medal of merit from Battenberg period (SOLID GOLD, which is assumed to be the sole example known) and golden medal for the Royal wedding of 1893. Notice the enamelled crown on the latter, too. A masterpiece indeed. I haven't seen any other example of this sort.
    2. Very interesting example indeed. Well done, Vazov. Just wanted to say that the radial pattern is featured in the first [Battenberg] emissions of the order, so it's not a new thing for the order, in general.
    3. Igor, What Graf mentioned is pure [yet plausible] speculation, please don't take it literally, as most of us have been speculating in this thread lately. Being high-ranking officers would not mean that they were given special issues of orders for bravery. This is proven by the above photos and my similar research (which can actually indicate that lily crosses were being worn by ranks as low as majors). As I said before, I am prone to think that these are private issues. However, I cannot understand the logic of having brass/bronze orders with lily - I assume that if people can afford a private issue order, they'd understandably order it in solid silver instead.
    4. I think I found it. General Kantardziev appears to be wearing a 'lily' order (images 1 and 2). According to Wikipedia, he has been given the award for his deeds in the war with Serbia in 1885. Actual decoration took place after the conflict ended (perhaps in 1886). Another general - Ivan Popov is pictured under number 3 and the corresponding zoomed-in image of his order under number 4. Unfortunately, there are no better quality images out there in the internet, so I cannot be certain for either of these cases. What are your thoughts?
    5. Paja, Even though the award is not fully in front view on this image, I think it is Russian award instead.
    6. I am pretty sure no.2 is featured in Pavlov's book, too. Unsure whose is that order though. Also, in Petrov's book there's [what appears to be] a silver sample with lily of the '1915' type, so that is yet another variation.
    7. Hi all, Thanks Graf, I did notice myself that the pattern looks similar and I am prone to think that these are French-made issues but unless I see a maker's marking on a 'lily' order, I'd consider it as 'to be confirmed'. I've made this comparison collage of the 'lily' IV class orders. From the images I've seen here, at museums and online, there are at least 6 variations with lilies (depending on the swords; shape of the lily, lion etc.; material used; size; notches etc. ) Quite a lot of variance out there... Ilieff
    8. It's probably due to the close family relations with the King, rather than any particular merits, even though that, as per the Order statute, it can be given to people with great merits to humanity, in general. It's a bit slippery when it comes to philanthropy, you know
    9. Hi new world, Information in this regard is present in most of the books on Bulgarian orders, including Pavlov's one (Who is actually citing Petrov). In T.Petrov's books, it is also mentioned of the 'legend' of how the 1st class 1st grade (Grand cross) was 'unintentionally' created when it was presented to Emperor Alexander II of Russia. In order to prevent any confusion, think of the 1st Class 1st Grade as 'Grand Cross'. Due to the low number of official 1st class 1st grades (I only know of 4 examples), any conclusions will be pure speculation. T.Petrov had access to the two earlier samples kept at the Military Museum in Sofia, while Prince Romanov had access to the King's collection which includes the two badges worn by King Ferdinand. Due to this fact, both authors give different measurements to the size of Grand cross badges. I, personally, consider that there are no major differences between the badges of the two grades (Stars are a different story). Of course, there are minimal variances in size, material and style but this is due to the different manufacturers, rather than intentionally set sizes and shapes. In WW1, the King has officially unified the sizes of both grades (as per Pertov again) to 61mm. However, I have no idea what's the logic behind this, as practically nobody can be awarded the 1st Grade anyway. It might be just a way to set a unified size for the 2nd Grade going forward. Thanks,
    10. Hi, Actually, the order sash should be worn over the left shoulder (the rest of the Bulgarian Grand cross awards are instead worn over the right shoulder). However, there are earlier images of King Simeon (as a teenager), wearing it over the right shoulder. I assume it was down to the lack of knowledge and suitable advisors at that time. As for the sash and collar combination - it is an interesting choice indeed, but not the only example (as per image below). Plus, being the grand master of the order itself, King Simeon can do as He pleases. Lastly - the breast star with swords and diamonds. That is also an interesting choice. My assumption is that there is no other suitable breast star to go with the collar, as the other diamond Alexander star is most probably used by Queen Margarita (Giovanna before her, etc). By the way, both stars can be seen on my website.
    11. Hi all, I wanted to share this recent photograph with you without having to open another thread, sorry for the off-topic. Official portrait of King Simeon on the occasion of His 80th jubilee.
    12. hi new world, I get your point. Perhaps we see it from different perspectives, hence we got to different conclusions. You said it right - the book is already 15 years old and a large portion of the information has been deemed as out-of-date. I'd like to see these mistakes corrected in the new edition (even though it cannot be purchased freely either). In terms of it being the best catalogue out there - it's only partialy true. It really depends on what you intend to use it for. If you collect generic awards, like e.g. Ferdinand/Boris Orders of Merit, then it's perfect. However, if you are interested in the earlier Battenberg awards, like Igor; the history of the system itself or, say, the Red cross badges in particular - then Pavlov's book is of little use. In essence, it's a good reference but I don't think we should overrate it, simply because it has no other 'rivals' out there. Can you please explain what do you mean by 'Pavlov's classification system'? I think I am confused. Please note, I am not undermining Pavlov's work. I admire his attempt to cataloguize the whole system of distinctions and I wish him well.
    13. Prof. Pavlov's book is too overrated. Its price has been high since it's launch in 2002/2003 and I am sure such high price has been artificially maintained (one way or another). Do not forget that Pavlov is a professor in Economics and [should] knows how to sell his stuff.
    14. I've just came across this interesting example, sold at ebay.at. At first, it appears to be a generic cross with missing ribbon. However, when I looked closer, it is a bit different. The obverse is generic - the usual horizontally positioned crowns and central medallion. However, the reverse is identical to the 'rare' model shown in Prince Romanoff's book. If my assumption is correct, then we have an example of a third type of this cross or at least a sub-type of either of the known ones. @Petar Keserdzhiev , could you please post an image of the reverse so we can compare? Thanks,
    15. Thank you for the scans, Petar. Igor, information about Battenberg period awards (in general) is next to zero. I doubt that any of the current books can provide you with a detailed knowledge in this regard.
    16. This is a great find, Petar. As far as I know, apart from the position of the crowns, there are also visible differences in the centre of the cross. These are especially clear on the reverse. Looking at the ribbon - it looks as if someone has manually drawn the green stripe by hand (being quite wavy, washed away at the edges and not centrally aligned). Is this the case? If yes, this can suggest a later alteration. Also, I don't think this has been given to a lady (if given at all), Graf. Firstly, the 'straight' ribbons are strictly for males and secondly, as far as I know, the lady ribbons for this particular medal did not differ in width (like other Bulgarian decorations do). Have you noticed the clearly larger ring? There certainly must be a reason for it. Ilieff
    17. Would it be possible for someone to post in here a couple of sample pages from this book please? I cannot decide whether it`s worth buying it, considering I am not fluent in German.
    18. A few more - portraits of former participants in the Voluntary Corps (1877-1878)
    19. I assume 992F meant any other decorations, beside the ones shown.
    20. I can't really say with certainty but I suppose that he did not. Actually, Stoyanov (major back then) was sacked from the Air Force (without the right of a pension) following the aftermath of the Hungarian revolution in 1956. Priot to that, the State security agency was following him constantly as they suspected him of being 'not too loyal to the communist cause'. Even the code name of his file was named 'Fritz', as a hint for his good relation with the Germans during the war years. After 1956 the war hero has to work as a construction worker, then at the local thetre. Eventually, he was employed as a tourist guide (due to his good language skills) in the Rila Monastery where he actually wrote his memoirs. @new world Thank you for the link. More interesting things about his decorations. The media in Bulgarian inaccurately portraits him as having earned all classes of the Military order. He has been given the Order of Military merit V class but for some reason this decoration was not displayed at his funeral. I assume that Stoyanov has tried to remove all the 'unsuitable' royal awards back in the day, as we can't see crowns on either of them. This is the case with the 3rd class, which clearly has been given to him with crown (once). And if you wonder why he wore the commemorative medal for the Balkan wars with black stripe in the middle - that's because of his father who died 5 months prior to Stoyanov's birth.
    21. Hi new world, As the theory goes, since the inception of the Third Kingdom, the Bulgarian Monarch is automatically allocated both 1st and 4th Classes of the Military Order. I am not too sure what's the reason behind it, but I assume it might be just another feature which has been copied over from St.George's Order. An interesting example of this rule is the fact that Prince Alexander I, during His state visit in Russia, displays the 1st Class of the sole (at that time) Bulgarian order, utilising His position as head of state. Only months later he is officially recognised for His deeds in the Russo-Turkish war (1877-1878) and awarded the 1st class, this time for His merits and not for the position he is currently occupying. It is funny though, as I am thinking The Prince would have had to present the order to Himself. Perhaps he used a mirror. Next in line, Ferdinand I is often seen (especially in the earlier period of His reign) displaying both the neck order and the 4th class on His chest. It's highly possible that he used several badges and not just one, as is the case with His 1st class badges. He used His position as Monarch to display the Military order, so it might be slightly different to the general rule which applies to generic decorations we all are familiar with. By the way, the heir to the throne (in this case Boris of Tarnovo) has been given an officer rank since His birth, as some suggest, just to be eligible to be decorated with the 4th Class of the Order "For Bravery". There are several photos of Him as child having the badge on His chest. Surely he could not have possibly earned it on the battlefield at this age. And later, as King Boris III, He was never seen wearing 1st class, nor Grand cross. He only displayed the 4th class which He has by right and the two grades of the 3rd class He was presented with during the Balkan and Great wars.
    22. Hi all, Allow me to share with you some interesting information about General Stoyan Stoyanov - a WW2 Bulgarian ace, pilot instructor and later deputy-commander of the anti-aircraft system of Socialist Bulgaria. Due to the limited involvement of Bulgaria during the initial stages of the war, the fighter pilots were the first to actually engage in combat with the Western allies. Stoyanov and his fellow fighter pilots were defending Bulgarian air space from the American and British planes which were bombing the oil refineries in Ploesti or simply bombing the capital Sofia. On 1st August 1943 Stoyanov shoots down an American B-24 and another B-24 is damaged severely. Six days later, he is invited to the Royal palaca where King Bors III personally presents him with the 4th Class 2nd Grade of the Order "For Bravery". According to the mainstream sources, this is the first decoration of a Bulgarian officer with the Military order after the end of the Great war. Soon after that, he is also decorated with the Iron Cross 2nd Class by the German command (a scan of the actual document is available on Wikipedia). In the period between August 1943 and September 1944 Stoyanov scores 15 air victories which earns him the 4th Class 1st Grade of the Military order. Date of decoration not currently known. After the Communist coup in September 1944, Stoyanov continues to be a pilot instructor for the new Bulgarian pilots. At this time, he already has the effigy of a living legend for the Bulgarian air force. In November 1944, gen Vladimir Stoychev takes part in the decoration of all surviving pilots near Sofia. Stoyanov is promoted to major and decorated with the 3rd Class 2nd Grade (again, the date of actual decoration is unknown), thus becoming the sole Bulgarian officer to receive three orders "For Bravery" during the Second World war. He has a very interesting and dynamic life. If you are interested I can share some info. In 1972 he manages to publish memoirs which have been greatly censored by the communist censorship. His book has been re-published several times since but is still very rare to find (I haven't been able to read the book yet). In 1992 he is officially promoted to general by president Zhelev. On 13th Match 1997 Major-General Stoyanov passes away. He is honoured with a military funeral with the whole General staff of the Air Force attending it. On the photographs: - Stoyanov shortly after being decorated with the Iron Cross - Stoyanov's decorations on display during his funeral (understandably, his German decorations are not on display)
    23. That's what happens when people wash their ribbons along with the white laundry. On the serious side, there are a number of reasons why the colours might differ from ribbon to ribbon: 1) Ribbons do lose their colour with time, especially if kept in not very suitable places. Thus, a red ribbon might look orange afrer just a coulple of decades. 2) Different makers used different suppliers of ribbons and often they varied in their colour/tint. Numerous examples throughout Europe. 3) Poor materials used - e.g. during wartime years, the materials used tend to be of a lower quality (being cheaper), hence the colouring could fade away more quickly, compared to other examples. 4) Etc. etc. I am not an expert in foreign decorations, but my suspicion is that the top ribbon on the above image is a replacement/copy ribbon actually, while the 'organge' one appears to be a genuine one. Please correct me if I am wrong.
    24. Original awards were NOT 'casted'. They were minted (press-stamped) and because of this, their reverse and especially edges are very smooth and straight - something which is a huge give-away for fake decorations (which are usually casted) whose reverses are covered with little holes (due to the trapped air while casting) and the edges are more rounded due to hand-sanding the imperfections of the cast. This is visible on the above images too. Even so, I've seen some obviously faked stars for sale, which do have a smooth texture on the reverse. This makes me conclude that either (1) they used original parts/bases OR (2) that professional machines and/or dies were used for the production itself (which is really bad if true).
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