Lukasz Gaszewski

I have an extra question: the first medal is worn on a red ribbon with black edges, while that of the other medal is plain red. Does anybody know if these are the correct ribbons for both classes?

I agree - they are two different medals.

With all respect, but I will insist on Baden - for at least two reasons: 1. the eyelet - typical of Baden's medals. Can you think of any other German-speaking country's medals with the eyelets like that? 2. the ribbon - I will insist that the edges are white, not yellow like in those Anhalt or Mecklenburg medals shown above. Yellow used to come out quite dark on old photos - just have a look at the prince's Militärverdienstkreuz of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. Its ribbon should have yellow and red edges and the yellow look even darker than the red. The sequence of colours on the ribbon of our researched medal (dark with dark side-stripes and white edges) matches the ribbon of the Friedrich-Luisen-Medaille.

Good photos, Bob! You have made me want to visit the museum, when I am in Dresden next time. Still, I think all the museum collections will not counterbalance the loss of the Diamond and Ruby Suits of the Order of the White Eagle, stolen from Grünes Gewölbe last year. BTW: times do change. When I lived in Germany in 1990s it was impossible to see any items with Hakenkreuz symbols on display in public. Even in a museum! Now it seems very different indeed.

I think that despite the lack of the word "order" in its name it fulfills the role of a diplomatic order for foreign nationals in three classes: Grand Cordon, Commander with Star and Commander. Quite strange they did not think of a collar for heads of state. I am glad Donald Tusk is a recipient. The medals of Professional Appreciation, despite being formally a separate award, seem to be attached to the order.

Definitely the same gentleman, a Hungarian officer. He even has the same set of decorations. On the second photo he is in the uniform of a major-general. On the first photo is he is in the Hungarian attila uniform of hussar cavalry, already in the rank of lieutenant-general. I think I have seen his photo before, but I cannot recognize him right now.

Respect!

A different kind of stuff, but notice that the prince's star of the Black Eagle is surrounded by the English Garter.

The photo did not come through. Please post it again.

Well, all those badges looked quite similar. To me they look more like academic or society badges. I am not even sure if the gentleman was a military. He looks fairly civilian to me. If he was a soldier, his orders would probably have swords. The neck decoration is the Order of St. Vladimir 3rd Class and the star is of St. Anne 1st Class. To me he looks like a high-ranking state official (a state councillor or higher), or a university professor.

Well, it does make sense. You can say he got it at the last possible moment. Your idea of the swords on the ring seems sensible, too. Note that on the miniature chain the cross has "standard" swords instead (I am not even sure if miniature crosses of the Lippe House Order with swords on ring were ever manufactured).

Splendid! It is a medal bar for civilian attire, with decorations running from right to left. One odd thing: if Metze was born in 1878 (btw. 1878-1964 does not match with 84 years of living) how could he receive a cross for 25 years of service? Not too young?

A very sad news. RIP.

Judging from the obverse, the oblong eye and the arrangment of stripes on the ribbon, it can be the Friedrich-Luisen-Medaille of Baden of 1906.

On this photo he is wearing a Russian uniform (so is the man behind in the middle). The sash (and upper star) is of the Order of St. Andrew. According to The Titled Nobility of Europe (1914), the Großherzog was the knight of the following orders: Black Eagle of Prussia St. Hubert of Bavaria St. Andrew of Russia Annunciation of Italy Elephant of Denmark Rue Crown of Saxony Grand Cross of the Victorian Order of Great Britain (1907).

Quite common and in all classes. Remember that at that time (1966) Polonia Restituta was the only "diplomatic" order of merit of the country and People's Poland maintained diplomatic relations with almost all countries of the world. Not only those of the eastern bloc. The situation changed diametrically in 1974, when the Order of Merit of the People's Republic of Poland was established. From then on, Polonia Restituta started being conferred exclusively upon Polish citizens, and to foreign nationals in exceptional cases only.

Great, Megan! I felt somehow you would make this offer...

Very sorry to hear it. It was probably the best site about Scandinavian (particularly Swedish) ODMs. Axel did a great job indeed. I archived the site some three years ago, and wanted to do it again now, just before the New Year. Still, due to its size and complex structure the site was a nightmare to archive, so I decided to put it off until after the New Year and then it was already unavailable. You never know what you are going to miss. It seems that what has been stored on webarchive.org is just a small fraction of the original site. Three years ago I archived over 9,000 photos of Swedish medals alone! Axel's passing away is a huge loss to all ODM specialists and enthusiasts. Hopefully the site will be revived one day.

Anybody know?

Does anybody know what has happened to the medalj.nu website? It is one of the most valuable sites regarding Scandinavian ODM. I cannot access it since the beginning of the year. It would be the great loss if the site was down.

I believe that the new system of military ranks was introduced by Lege 80 of 1995: http://legislatie.just.ro/Public/DetaliiDocument/6151 The new rank insignia were generally based on those used before WWII, yet with some modifications. As far as I remember, rank insignia of generals initially resembled those used in the Bundeswehr and they were modified again a few years later.

It is easier with the second photo. The decorations on the ribbons may be as follows: Russian Order of St. Vladimir 4th Class with swords Montenegran Order of Danilo 5th Class Russian Order of St. Anne 3rd Class with swords Russian Order of St. Stanislas 3rd Class with swords Montenegran Obilich Medal (?) The neck decoration is probably the Russian Order of St. Vladimir 3rd Class The stars are from: Montenegran Order of Danilo Russian Order of St. Stanislas Italian Order of the Crown The photo seems to be after somebody's funeral (black armband). If we could find out whose, we could date it.

A perfect shot Trooper_D! Please do accept another cigar from me, too I also thought of the Order of Christ, but the cross on the star looked a bit too different to me. I was also not sure if at that time (my portrait was dated to 1865) the eight-pointed star was already in use. It seems that the painting at the Boskovice palace was exactly that from which my miniature was made. Yes, the other star is of the Order of the House of Saxe-Ernestine (from which Albert, Prince-Consort of Queen Victoria also , originated). To make the things entirely clear, the neck decoration is the Commander Cross of the Austrian Order of Leopold - but I think it is obvious to everybody here. The funniest thing is that a few years ago I myself had the opportunity to visit the palace in Boskovice (which is located north of the City of Brno in the Czech Republic), but I completely do not remember if the portrait was there or not. Anyway, I would be delighted to learn who the painter was. I could not find it anywhere on their site. Trooper_D, Alex and laurentius, thanks once again for your assistance. Regards, Lukasz

Nice to meet you again, too

Hello All, This is the portrait of count Alfons Friedrich von Mensdorff-Pouilly in the uniform of a Hungarian cavalry colonel. I am interested in your opinions about the sash and the upper star. What can they be from? I have some theory but I do not want to impose my view. I will owe a lot for assistance. Regards, Lukasz