Dragomir

Sorry The rank of the awardee was captain. DA

Royal Yugoslavian Order of the White Eagle 5th Class, awarded to Valerio L. Scarabellotto, Air Force lieutenant Dragomir

I have some doubts regarding the badge depicted. First, it bears the coat of arms of the defunct Dynasty, which disappeared in 1903, some 13 years prior to alleged manufacturing. Second, it is the coat of arms of the Obrenovich Royal House, not of the Kingdom of Serbia itself (observe the ouroboros, shield form and the motto). Third, notwithstanding possible errors and lack of knowledge, France of Great War period was not that uninformed or desinformed to struck a wartime ally commemorative badge with wrong armorial bearings, Fourth, whoever did the job was not particularly skilled or informed about heraldry, otherways one could not explain the curious position of the cords binding the mantle (look at the inner part of the mantle!). Dragomir

I do apologize for my (again) belated answer. In my age it is increasingly difficult to keep the pace with you boys. Regarding the group attributed to General Gruich, there was not any photo, but I am enclosing the text describing the group. Best regards, Dragomir

My PC went down two weeks ago, and I was not able to communicate. Sorry! The Sotheby`s Auction I was referring to was one on Setember 12th 1989, and the Auction Lot was numbered 502. The illustration of that Lot follows. The next Lot 503 at the same Auction was attributed to General Sava Gruitch, with 9 decirations on the ribbon bar. Dragomir

The alleged medal bar of King Alexander (Obrenovich) of Serbia is an "Old friend". It appeared for the first time about 20 years ago at Sotheby`s, but provided with insignia as well, and of course with the significant chinese ink written name at the back of the bar. At that time, I went directly to Sotheby`s to check the set, although the composition of the set was obviously ridiculous. I found that several items (Queen Draga Medal, in itself a buffoonery because King would not wear a female award, among other items, were cast! Although the work was very good indeed!). I warned the Auctioneer, they checked the items thoroughly, and the set was withdrawn from sale. Upon my return home, I was summoned to police for interrogation, because Sotheby`s placed Interpol request to investigate the person of the forgerer. I could not help, and never considered that it should be my duty, and the investigation was abandoned in due time. Some long memories... Dragomir

The second one is Iraqi, I think. Dragomir

Dear Serbman, Dear Paul, I am afraid that my influence and connections are far from being sufficient to untangle the mystery of St. Lazarus Collar! I would like very much to contribute, and to the extent that my abilities would allow, I am ready to try. However, I understand very well the standpoint of Paul Wood and the obligation to confidentiality he has to maintain. The hints that were offered in the correspondence so far were most welcome, and I shall try to follow that. What would the result be, however, remains to be seen. If one day the Collar emerges, nobody would be happier than me. Untill such day arives, let us hope! Dragomir

As a matter of fact, it could not be a gift! The Law about Order of St. Lazarus was very, very short, and very, very explicit! That Order was be worn only by the King and his Crown Prince when of full age (for the Crown Prince full age was declared to be at 18, for all others at 21). There were, correspondingly, only two pieces made, and the third one was, allegedly, made in 1940 as a personal gift from Prince Regent Paul to the King Peter II to celebrate King`s coming if age, which was to come in 1941. The said third exemplar was mentioned only in memoirs of the the sculptor Ivan Meshtrovich, and by no one else. Dragomir

Paul, Thank you so much. I can perhaps guess which "Princely Family" is in question (there are three> House of Baden, House of Hesse and the House of Toerring-Jettenbach, although only one of them comes to mind when you mentioned the age of the Head of the House!). However, the way that the insignia came to their possession eludes me. The Law is explicit that the insignia pertains only to the Reigning King of Serbia and to his Crown Prince when he comes of age! Nobody else was entitled to hold it, except as a sort of trust or as a temporary keeper in the name of the Holder. The first example was manufactured by Nicholas & Duncker of Hannau, in 1889. The second was made for Crown Prince George in 1904 (I do not know where), and later was transmitted to Crown Prince Alexander (later KIng Alexander I of Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, and of Yugoslavia after 1929). The third piece was, allegedly, commissioned by Prince Regent Paul as his personal gift for the coming of age of King Peter II. Your information is precious. Thanks again, Dragomir

Dear Paul, I was completely astounded to read that you had the opportunity to see St. Lazar collar in "an European princely residence" some 25 years ago! Out of two known (plus one reportedly made for the coming of age of King Peter II) sets, none was ever seen anywhere after the Belgrade bombing of April 6th 1941. If it is not a secret, may I ask you where that was. Best regards, Dragomir

Absolutelu stunning! Thank you Antonio!

The second is The Most Exalted Family Order of Trengganu. Dragomir

Sorry, it should be translated as GOD PROTECTS SERBS D

It proclaims simply BOG CUVA SRBE, meaning GOD SAVES SERBS Greetings, Dragomir

Drclaw and JapanX, I am much obliged to both of you. The identity of this imposing gentleman really was a tough problem for me for quite some time. Dragomir

Gentlemen, Can anyone help with the identification of this medal. It is brass, 32 mm across. Thanks in advance Dragomir

Gentlemen, Can anyone help with the identification of this medal. It is brass, 32 mm across. Thanks in advance Dragomir

Thank you Caz, that was most kind of you. Dragomir

Gentelmen, Why can I not see pictures in the CAZACK post of April 1? Does somebody have the same problem? Dragomir

Gentlemen, You are quite right, the mistake was mine. Somehow I erroneously attributed awards of von Pittner to Stecher. Dragomir

Gentlemen, This is all very nice, but the photograph shows Danilo III class, not II class as quoted in Register!

If I am not wrong, this is not a new order, but the Tongan Coronation Medal, and the photo stands for Istvan Doma-Miko, Hungarian painter of the Royal family of Tonga. Dragomir

Here it is. Dragomir

Sorry, the picture did not come out. I have no idea what happened. Dragomir