Wild Card

Hi notned (Paul), Bob Hunter?s answer is on the money. His remark about Rick Research?s potential book is likely correct as well (I do not know if such a book is in the works, but certainly hope so); but to me has a haunting aspect to it. A year ago this coming Tuesday, I received a call at two in the morning from a sheriff?s deputy in Maryland informing me of the death of Eric Ludvigsen. Eric and I, close friends for over twenty years, were working on a book on the Brunswick House Order of Henry the Lion; and Eric had also started work on a book on the Prussian Order of the Red Eagle with George Seymour (another close friend of twenty plus years who had died three and one half months earlier), all of which is now scattered or lost. Eric had a fantastic mind and in it was more knowledge on Imperial German orders and decorations than most of us have - all put together. Well. What's left, what's available? Please understand that the subject of Imperial German orders and decorations is massive - there are close to one hundred variations of the Red Eagle alone! Therefore, about the only practical way to approach this subject, in total at the present time, is with Nimmergut?s magnum opus. Beyond that, Neal O?Connor?s series on Aviation Awards of Imperial Germany is surprisingly useful to the point that the title is almost misleading - and it is in English. Beyond that, one has to go ,as Bob notes, with the more specialized publications such as such as, by state and author - Anhalt (Scharfenberg), Saxony (Weber, et al.) and Waldeck/Pyrmont (Efler). I hope that this information is helpful. Best wishes, Wild Card

Gentlemen, Unless my eyes are really failing, I think that anyone who served in Vietnam should recognize him; and it's not Uncle Ho. Best wishes, Wild Card

Gentlemen, I would like to ask a question with regard to post #64. Can anyone explain the significance of the laurel wreath on the Military Karl Friedrich Merit Order ribbon? I thank you in advance. Regards, Wild Card

And an old war horse.

One of my favorites - a really unique design.

The Order of the Red Turkey. Great! Thanks Brian and thank you Christophe. Best wishes to you both, Wild Card

And another...

An offering.

Hi Paul, Yes, I received mine about a week and a half ago. There isn't anything that you would want in there though - just kidding. Best wishes, Wild Card P.S. Did you get out to the Bismarck museum?

Hi, There were essentially two versions of this medal. The first, awarded from 1869-1881 has the engraver?s mark (?C. Schnitzspahn F.?). The second, awarded from 1882-1908 is virtually the same but without the engraver?s mark. This is not an unheard of situation in that dies were known to wear out or break, necessitating the need for a replacement which invariably would produce minute differences. For instance, the Hannoverian Waterloo medal is another such case. It should also be mentioned that this Baden medal was awarded on one of two ribbons; the first being plain yellow and the second being that of the Military Karl Friedrich Merit Order. I hope that this clarifies the situation. Best wishes, Wild Card

Hi Everybody! Good guess Stogieman. The Bavarians did indeed stray into red/maroon cases. For instance, the golden Ludwig medal for Arts & Science comes with a maroon case; but in this case, we?re going to go... Hohenzollern! Gentlemen, please meet Furst Carl Anton.

Back to post #18, who's in there? A Braunschweiger?

A little better detail.

Here we go...

Hi Paul, #16 is a first class merit cross to the Brunswick House Order of Henry the Lion. It is gold; the second class cross (post #10) is silver. Both were awarded, with swords, for military merit. I will try to post a picture that will give you a better view. Best wishes, Wild Card

Hi Paul. Which post # are you referring to? Wild Card

And finally - What state am I from... ?

And another, not quite so obvious...

Gentlemen, To continue on the theme, may I present

Gentlemen, While I am not into ribbon bars, I must say that the items displayed here are beyond impressive to the point that they have made me aware of what I have missed during all of these years of collecting. Thank you for the wake up call! Wild Card

Marshal of the Soviet Union Ivan Stepanovitch Konev!

No takers? Let's see who's in the books.

Hi. I have to disqualify myself on this one; but I can tell you that the answer is in these two little books. Have fun - Wild Card

Nice going Soviet, you are correct! Shame on me for the inadvertent hint; but I suspect that you would have gotten it anyway. For the benefit of all, below is a more familiar picture of this memorial. You have to see this place to believe it; and if ever given the opportunity - take it. Soviet, congratulations! The ball is in your court, try to avoid any unintentional hints. Best to all, Wild Card

Now, to keep the ball rolling. Throughout the former Soviet Union there are many impressive memorials to the events and participants of The Great Patriotic War. Pictured below is one of them. Please tell us where it is.