Yankee

You guys are good, thought this would be a toughie. It is a case for the Griffin Knight by Rose. Didn't know the cases were identical to the Wendish Crown since it was a much more rare award. I assume it would be safe to say the order is more rare then the case in both orders from Mecklenburg. What did one have to do in order to receive a crown above the cross? As I understand from the O&E catalog they were made in silver, bronze-gilt and white metal-gilt. Would the bronze-gilt issued pieces be considered WWl issue or before. Also lately I have seen a number of Wendish Crown breast badges in silver & wondering if they were only issued for WWl or just later copies for the collector. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Sincerely Yankee

Dear Gentlemen Who could dwell here

If the WAR in Iraq continues 4 more years very good possibility to see the Euro at 2 dollars. Short the dollar you just might make a fortune........... & then you can buy lots of medals at any price.

Hi Ed & Paul R Understand what you guys mean, saw not too long ago on another site how a fine order was desroyed in attempting to clean. Sincerely Brian

Hi paul I remember the old Faustin lst examples you had in the last ANS auction. Was not aware that the Legion of Honour was more scarce, would have thought opposite since the Faustin l ranks as a higher order as I recall. I know you to be expert in this field, thanks for that. Are there any records in the numbers issued? I have seen another example of an even older Haitian piece that was offered by Liverpool in their 98 catalog & that too had a silver boot or strap in the exact same location. It is safe to say that the strap/ boot were never orginally part of the order but only used as a repair. Perhaps both pieces repaired by the same local jeweler. Since I have not seen another piece it is very hard to compare. Sincerely Brian

Hello Gentlemen Here pictured is the Haitian Legion of Honour founded by Emperor Faustin 1850-59. Are there any experts on restoration, that would know if the silver strap was removed, would it open a pandoras box? Does anybody have a print of one to show how the upper arm joins the crown? Thanks Sincerely Yankee

Hi SPM These Gentlemen certainly due look South American, maybe the Bavarians employed soldiers of fortune in their 1866 conflict. I think you hit the nail on the head and their part of Maximillian's officer corp dressed in European style uniform. They are fascinating fotos. Any chance could be Austrian uniforms? Sincerely Yankee

Hello Gentlemen Enjoyed viewing all your Czarist shoulder boards , had no idea it is such a vast field with each board displaying a different unit & surface style. If anybody should find themselves visiting the Winter Palace ( across from the Hermitage ) in St. Petersburg Russia, I suggest a visit to the Guards Museum truely a marvel ( located by the columns & parade ground) where many of the uniforms can be seen including some that belong to the Czars. I remember the shoulder boards being ornate & the uniforms were in pristine condition. Sincerely Yankee

Thats a good one, very funny

Thanks Wild Card, it would be amusing if the case turns out to be more desirable then the order itself.

And I thought this would have been one tough cookie to crack. Hi SPM You are correct it is the case for the Ernst August knight. Actually it is for the exile type made by Rothe 1866-78 solid crowns. Inside is built for the trifold ribbon. It could be for either class ( no distinction on outer lid )however what sleeps inside is a knight ll class. Hi Andreas You aced it. How'd you do that..... Sincerely Brian

Who could possibly live inside.

Hi Ed Unfortunately I do not have an example of the ribbon worn medal, perhaps another member does & kind enough to post it. The few books I have only show the table medal Sincerely Yankee

Hi 922F Wowww excellent information, one of the lesser known medals. Only a 100 awarded that explains why they are so difficult to come across. Interesting to note they were handed out in gilded bronze. I suppose with the Balkan wars raging at that time he decided to be economical. This must be the rarest of the Ferdinand l medals under his reign. Thanks Sincerely Yankee

Hello Gentlemen Here is the all elusive medal for the silver jubilee of Tsar Ferdinand I. Does any member know how many were issued in silver & bronze? Were any ever struck in gold for the aristocracy? Thanks Yankee

Hello Gentlemen Knight of the St.Stephen ( not mine ) One of the most beautifully designed. Can any member give a time frame to this one?

Hi Alex Also had the bad luck to get a lemon and it was a sickening feeling at that. However at the same token I was grateful when other collectors informed me that it was not what it should be. I guess you can't sugar coat words when telling someone they have a fake.

Thanks very much Andreas for posting those beautiful zoomed MVO examples. Should be OK now to know the difference from a good one and a forgery. Sincerely Brian

Ahhh your " last sentence in my posting " was for Alex K. I am sure he is pleased. Good collecting Sincerely Yankee

Saschaw thanks for making us aware, really disgusting somebody is taking 4th class examples and turning them into 3rd class, destroying the badge in the process. Can any member post an orginal gilded 3rd class piece so the newer collectors don't get burned.

Dear Gentlemen I was amazed to learn that there are copies being made of the MVK. Does this include those beautiful MVO's too? If there are as a novice Bavarian collector should I be concerned on the quality? Hi Franken75 I hope you reconsider about not wanting to participate in any more posts. As a member I am very happy to learn from other members, never doubting their knowledge and insight. I'm sure there are others who feel the way I do. I hope you will continue to share your expertise. Sincerely Yankee

my apologies, it is the third I can't identify. Caught my mistake, in the center is the William

Hello Gentlemen Today received a much awaited foto of Oberst Schuch from the Bavarian State Archives. Now I can rest and put a most aristocratic face on this group. I'd like to thank Dave Danner & Glenn J for their kind help . A special word of thanks to David M for walking me through the process of obtaining a foto without his help my quest would merely be a dream . If you will notice on the foto Oberst Schuch has three orders and the Iron Cross 2nd class. Now I am confused as I understand he only recived two orders the MVO Knight 1st class & William Knight. This I can identify on his tunic. Can the one in the center be a long service decoration ( seems to have crown ) or what can it be? Sincerely Yankee

Hi Christophe I suspect a lot of those items you have displayed for us to view are simply to fool collectors and it works. There are some very high quality copies not just in the higher grades but the lower classes as well all in GOLD which are not pictured. The ones pictured do not seem to be a threat to advanced collectors but for one who is just starting out can be. I must say some of those copies look good especially the lower ranking orders from the picture that is. Unfortunately with the high prices on Russian items these days it pays for the forgers to go into this line of business. Hallmarks mean nothing for they fake that too, thanks for sharing those fotos. Sincerely Yankee