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    laurentius

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    Everything posted by laurentius

    1. Doesn't zuzüglich mean 'to add' which would bring the number to 560 awards between 1884 and 1918? This number would mean 12,41 awards per year for Mecklenburg-Schwerin (423/36) and 9,78 awards per year for Mecklenburg-Strelitz (137/14). This seems logical, given that Mecklenburg-Strelitz was a tad smaller than Mecklenburg-Schwerin. A number of 560 seems more logical given their frequency of appearing on the market but is far off from other sources (also to be found on this forum). I wonder what the reason is for these different numbers? Is there anyone who could eloborate on the 'nachverliehungen' as far as 1941? Kind regards, Laurentius
    2. That would mean we now have three different numbers, ranging wildly between 423 and 1672 (a factor of four!). I must say that 423 seems low, given the frequency with which these pieces appear on the market. They aren't common, but certainly not as rare as the number 423 would suggest. Are the rolls from Mecklenburg perhaps incomplete? On the other hand an argument could be made for such a low number given the fact that the two Mecklenburg grandduchies were largely agricultural and some of the least developed areas of imperial Germany. An abscence of artists, industrialist and a larger upper-middle class would explain why so few of them would have been awarded. Does Nimmergut give a differentiation between awards to native Mecklenburgers and others ( I know of atleast 13 Dutch recipients and an Austrian colonel)? Kind regards, Laurentius
    3. Hello Dave, Thank you for your reply. If i read your message correctly this would mean that conveying a message of unity was the primary reason with the economic situation as a secondary thought? Do you know why they ceased producing pieces with the gold letters (G,E,B, standing for Georg, Ernst (I and II) and Bernhard)? Kind regards, Laurentius
    4. Dear fellow collectors, Whilst researching the Saxe-Ernistine House Order I wondered what the reason was for the combined institution of a House Order across several Thuringian duchies (being Saxe-Altenburg, Saxe-Coburg and Gotha and Saxe-Meinungen and Hildburghausen)? The name suggests, and this is also written in some sources, that it is a clear reference to their common ancestor Ernest I of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg (nicknamed 'the pious'). I wonder if there might also be an underlying, unmentioned, economic reason for using the same decoration. Surely this would allow for decorations to be made (somewhat) in bulk allowing for better prices at the jewellers? Was this done purely out of respect for Ernest the Pious or was there indeed an economic incentive? Kind regards and thanks in advance, Laurentius
    5. Dear fellow collectors, I was able to purchase this unmarked Greifenorden Ritterkreuz (although clearly a Rose production). When doing my research I stumbled upon two different numbers for the total amount of awarded crosses. One quotation was roughly 1000, the other was the far more precise 1672. Does anyone know why these differ and which one (if any) is correct? I wonder if the number 1000 accounts for the Ritterkreuze, whilst the number 1672 might be the total amount of awards (knights, commanders, grandcommanders etc.) Thanks in advance and kind regards, Laurentius
    6. Here is my humble contribution. Nothing spectacular (although I am happy with the RAO4 by Friedländer&co from Berlin). The bar is combattant for 1864 and 1866 but non-combattant for 1870/1871. I wonder why, does anyone have a suggestion? Kind regards, Laurentius
    7. Perhaps in preparation of the Olympics? I couldn't find any more information on him, he could have worked anywhere in Germany. I might contact the German police, maybe they know something.
    8. That is early. His certificate of award says 15-06-1923 whilst the note in the documents of the Dutch chancellary of orders has it written down on 25-01-1923. Do you know why this might be?
    9. Dear fellow collectors, I was recently able to purchase the Commandeurskruis (commander's cross) of the Order of Orange-Nassau awarded to the Dutch mayor Gerard Abraham Willem ter Pelkwijk. I was aware at the moment of purchase that this piece had belonged to a large group containing amongst others five different European orders together with six Dutch orders, two medals, miniatures, books and other documents. It came from the former collection of Frans Riemersma. This grouping was sold on 13 januari 2022. After the auction it was split up and sold separately. I want to know whether anyone is aware where some of the pieces have ended. Attached you will find a picture of the piece now in my collection (recognisable by the red velvet in the crown), a picture of the grouping at auction and a picture of Ter Pelkwijk himself. Kind regards and thanks in advance, Laurens Stroek
    10. Thank you for your help, I might investigate a bit further. Kind regards, Laurentius
    11. Thank you for this information. Does it say why he got it? Seems a bit odd that a German police commissioner should receive such an award. That is before the Swedish Orders went dormant in 1975 right? Kind regards, Laurentius
    12. Dear fellow collectors, Since a few days I have a Wasa-Order 2nd class in my possession which belonged to a certain H. Meixner. He worked as a Kriminalhauptkommissar with the German police. I wonder if anyone could help me find the date of the award and any possible pictures of him? I've tried google, but alas it redirected me to more famous members of the Meixner family. Any help would be appreciated. Kind regards, Laurentius
    13. Dear fellow collectors, I wonder if there is a list of Danish recipients who received the Dutch Order of Orange-Nassau between it's foundation in 1894 and 1940? I'm especially looking for recipients of the Officierskruis ( Officer's cross). All help would be appreciated. Kind regards, Laurentius
    14. It's the Bulgarian order of Military Merit. It's red enameled and has a tendency to reflect. This is why it appears that the middle of the arms have a different colour which might lead some to conclude a Finnish rather than a Bulgarian decoration. The last two are both Bulgarian in my opinion. Kind regards, Laurentius
    15. Dear fellow collectors, When we discuss orders with the crown fixed directly to the cross what kind of time period are we looking at? Is there any information regarding the change to the 'reversed V'? Kind regards and thanks in advance, Laurentius
    16. I'd like to think that too, the value would be much higher than the price I payed. I doubt it sadly. The painting is of fine quality (hence the reason I bought it) but it's not quite up to Magnus' standard. It seemed to me more likely to be a portrait of him, especially given that he was mentioned in a 1844 article of the Staatsanzeiger in the same (but somewhat unreadable) paragraph as recipients of the RAO3schl. We have established with Andreas' help that he had the Order of st. Michael. There must surely be more? Kind regards, Laurentius
    17. Thank you Andreas, The reason I asked is because I bought this painting for my collection. It shows a man, I think around 50-55 years old with a lovely miniature chain. The painting has a small plaque inscribed with 'Ed. Magnus 1842'. These five decorations, of which three have been identified seem to me as honours which could have been bestowed on a painter. Hence my question whether he had received the RAO3schl. It could be a self-portrait, it could be a painting by Magnus of someone else or it could be a painting not made by Magnus but put in a frame which belonged to a painting by Magnus. Frameswapping is not uncommon, especially with the finer frames we see in the Biedermeier period. I am still looking for the decorations bestowed upon Magnus, we now know he has the Order of St. Michael, which is not shown in the painting. Regardless of who he is I am also trying to figure out his decorations. These are my guesses so far: - Prussia: Red Eagle Order 3. class with schleife - unknown, a medal, probably Prussian - unknown, a cross with swords, silvery colour with blue centre - Russia: Order of St. Stanislaus - Russia: Order of St. Wladimir It seems odd to me that the Order of St. Stanislaus should take precedent, as I thought that the Order of St. Wladimir was higher. Maybe an indication for which class he received? I usually refrain from chains so my knowledge in this field generally comes from their 'big brothers'. I doubt that it is a self-portrait since I didn't read anything about Magnus spending time in the military. If the little plaque is correct this man may also be too old to be Magnus. Kind regards and thanks in advance, Laurentius
    18. Dear Andreas, Thank you for your help. If I read the document right Magnus became a knight on the Order of St. Michael in 1858? Very interesting. I didn't know about this bavarian connection. Kind regards, Laurentius
    19. Dear fellow collectors, I am currently conducting research on the painter Eduard Magnus. I have reason to assume he was awarded the Prussian order of the red eagle third class with schleife (RAO3schl) somewhere during the 1840's. I have scanned the Preußische Staatsanzeiger but the results where inconclusive. He was mentioned in a 1844 article regarding the RAO but it didn't clearly state that he had gotten it. I would also appreciate any information on other decorations received by Eduard Magnus. It is not unlikely that someone who received the RAO3schl had other decorations. All help is appreciated. Kind regards, Laurentius
    20. I'm glad to say you are wrong, because this bar is a rare little bird. When it comes to Lippe there were two states: Lippe-Detmold and Schaumburg-Lippe. Due to a succession crisis in the 1890's which required the 'guiding' hand of Emperor Wilhelm II there was still some animosity at the start of WW1. This is the reason why cross-Lippe awardings and recipients with decorations from both states are rare. I can't guarantee an identification, but I believe it is worth a try. Won't be many people with this combo and you could cross of those with additional decorations that do not show up on the bar. Kind regards, Laurentius
    21. I went there last november, only the medals of Empress Auguste Victoria were on display (not to downplay these marvellous pieces ofcourse). Nothing of the emporer, apart from five uniforms. All other items were stored somewhere in a 'safe' location. Kind regards, Laurentius
    22. Common misconception amongst non-imperial collectors but not true. The medalbar with detachable medals was often an economic solution rather than a statement of rank. Kind regards, Laurentius
    23. There are two kinds of collectors in this world. You have the phaleristic collectors (people like us) who collect to widen the knowledge of the field, who love the interaction with fellow collectors and who chase that high we feel when we buy something rare. This kind of collecting (in the area of medals and decorations) is atleast two centuries old. One of the most famous collectors was Prince George, Duke of Cambridge (the cousin of Queen Victoria). He died in 1904 and he managed to form a huge collection (which has been sold off during the last ten years), this would not have been possible without a network to buy those decorations (although his status as a German prince and a British duke surely helped). Than we have the other type of collector, the trofee-hunter. Usually soldiers who seek mementos of their time in war. They don't have a particular decoration in mind but rather take what they can get. Orders, decorations, medals, shoulderboards, even the little pips on the uniforms aren't safe. This kind of collecting is much older than our 'civilised' way of collecting. It is this type of collecting that usually leads people to become phaleristic collectors. The majority of the collectors started because their grandpa/father/uncle/neighbour brought something back from the war. This leads to an interest which can lead to a big collection, if the passion is properly formed. Given the way the European courts work I would expect this to be true. This doesn't mean they have entered the collector's market. Many of these orders are still being circulated within those families. The quality is great so it's not a problem some of these pieces are 100+ years old. Decorations were made in the 'neutral' countries both during WW1 and WW2. The Dutch Order of Oranje-Nassau was produced during WW2 in Portugal (these pieces are known for their rough quality) and by Spinks in London. Certain Serbian and Romanian orders were also produced in France during WW1 when the mints in their respective home countries were unable to function. Lastly the picture of the medals on the steps of the Reichstag. Kind regards, Laurentius
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