laurentius

Dear fellow collectors, I am looking for a list of awards received by Wilhelm Ritter von Leeb. The Wikipedia-pages in several languages all include some awards, but none of them seem to be complete. I would also appreciate the citation with his MMJO and any pictures of him wearing his decorations. Kind regards and as always, thanks in advance, Laurentius

I'm not one for boxes of documents. I'd never take a tattoo, but if I did it would most likely be the Brad Pitt quote ''What's in the box?" But, given the circumstances and the rarity of the MVK1 in all it's classes, I understand your joy. Kind regards, Laurentius

Well, it is a Godet Zweitstück, so it ain't too bad.

Dear Maxblue, I know that reason, it is sheer beauty due to good craftsmenship and design. Common with silver-gilt and gold pieces. Silver-gilt is cheaper, and therefore often a bit thicker. Gold is more valuable but I personally prefer the silver-gilt pieces, they are a bit more weighty whereas gold pieces almost always feel light. Kind regards, Laurentius

Dear Deutschritter, thank you for your responses, I wonder though, is the man with the helmet in the second picture Von Leeb? The facial characteristics seem off from the side. Kind regards, Laurentius

yes

Whether the decoration comes with or without a four-pointed star (plaque in Dutch). Kind regards, Laurentius

Dear fellow collectors, I was wondering if it was possible to find out whether Generalfeldmarschall Wilhelm Ritter von Leeb received the Heeresbergführer-abzeichen? Given his advanced age I wasn't sure if he received it. All help is appreciated. Kind regards, Laurentius

The second cross looks a bit like the Dutch Military Order Of William. A white enamelled cross, balls on the end of the cross arms and something in the centre which looks to be a piece of flint and steel. There also seems to be a crown, sadly obstructed by the first cross. Kind regards, Laurentius

Dear 03fahnen, I read your message and I'm astounded by the sheer amount of information. I don't know how to thank you. Your help is most appreciated. Kind regards and thanks again, Laurentius

The centre seems to be enamelled so it could also be a 1st class cross, have you tried that?

Dear Oscar, If it's currently on sale it won't be identified, we don't want the hard work of forum members to go into the pockets of ebaysellers. Kind regards, Laurentius

A very nice portrait ArHo, you don't often see the Ernst August-Orden, especially on someone so young. He's also wearing his Langensalza-medal wrong, this would make a fine addition to the Mistakes in Wear-thread. Kind regards, Laurentius

I hope I didn't give the impression that these collectors I was referering to were trolls, but rather collectors who keep to theirselves and don't want to share. I agree, we should be happy to be joined by a knowledgeable collector, especially since the fora become less and less active.

Although some collectors might be surprised that such a source of knowledge might have gone on some time before being noticed here at the forum, it would be wise to consider that there are many collectors like that. Sadly enough there are people who buy from auctionhouses and read reference-material and literature and for them, that's it. No contact whatsoever with collectors, perhaps apart from strolling around the forums every once in a while, without saying anything ofcourse. Rather spooky, an excellent subject for this time of year with halloween so closeby. Not to suggest ofcourse that Stefan is like this, he has been kind and supporting ever since his recent arrival, a fine addition, without a doubt. Kind regards, Laurentius

An Ottoman award I believe, I'm terrible with the names though.

I will not judge what the other collectors have said, but I will say this. When the Hohenzollern bar was first shown others and I identified it, after that identification it was sold (and it turned out John wasn't the seller). However, given the information that this bar had belonged to a reigning prince the price would have gone up to the benefit of the seller. The bar would also have become more desired for eventual buyers. An identification took place with the misunderstanding that the bar was in John's possession. It was only logical of me to think this, since it is a common rule not to ID medal- or ribbonbars on sale at that moment. Someone benefited from the work of forum members, which is not supposed to happen. This is the reason for my annoyance. I didn't respond, for two reasons. Firstly I wanted to wait what other collectors might have to say. Secondly because I didn't think that this matter was to be resolved privately, given the attention it had gotten in this thread, especially for the reason you mentioned. If the facts were incomplete a collector reading this in future might come to think bad of people who weren't supposed to be thought badly off, simply because a part of the argument is missing.

A lovely article about the order, but it doesn't say anything about the swords, rather than that they can be placed on top or through the cross itself. There must be someone out there with the answer. Kind regards, Laurentius

What I find interesting is that the Order of the Star belonging to Komtur has the swords through the cross, whereas Vince's Order of the Star has the swords on top of the cross, almost like the German 'am Ring'. I know this a stylish decision (like with the BMVOx). Could anyone tell me when this change happened and when? Does Komtur or Vince have the earlier version? Kind regards, Laurentius

Wasn't this bar for sale as a modern composition with original ribbons and awards? I might be mistaken but the combination seems a bit outlandish. Kind regards, Laurentius

A small, albeit very nice medalbar. I wonder how unique it is? I've seen Romanian orders before on German pre-ww1 bars, but the Order of the Star is an uncommon one to be sure. I can only recall seeing one or two photo's of officers with this particular order. The Romanian Crown Order on the other hand seems to be more common. Would there be any collectors out there with awardnumbers to German officers? Kind regards, Laurentius

This is a blatant lie, in the past you have asked for ID's. At the bottom of my comment you will find the Hohenzollern ribbonbar thread, where I, together with other collectors helped to identify. Much to my surprise and chagrin I found out that CCJ had purchased it from you not long after the identification. Not a single member of this forum that helped you received compensation for that help. The collecting world is a small one, it is impossible to sell things without collectors finding out, as Rick already said in the late 90's. I don't know about other collectors, but I remember this incident all too well so it won't surprise you when I say that you won't receive any help from my part with identifications in the future.

Simi makes a good point here. I remember when several members of this forum together with me identified a ribbonbar which belonged to the Prince of Hohenzollern. Rick Lundstrom before his early passing already stated that identification is something members of this forum are more than willing to do for the good of the community, but not if it's sole purpose is to enrich a collector

Very nice, reminds me of a painting of a Dutch Papal zouave which can be viewed in the Basilica of Oudenbosch in the Netherlands. It was the gathering place of the Dutch Papal troops. The town still has a zouave-museum and several monuments. I'll have a look in my gallery to see if I have any pictures. Kind regards, Laurentius

I find it rather peculiar that Charles Edward, Duke of Albany (later Carl Eduard, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha) isn't mentioned in the guestlist (his mother is, his father had passed away before the jubilee). Claudio owns one of his ribbonbars so we know he did atleast receive it. This may show us that the list is incomplete, although I must say that for a Wikipedia-article the document is well-written and has proper links to the many noble attandees, which is usually problematic given the tendency to have several princes at different times with the same names (thank God Prince Heinrich XXXIII of Reuß wasn't on the guestlist ?). It's a lovely miniature bar, and I hope we find the owner. Kind regards, Laurentius