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I am simply astounded at this heretofore unknown to me treasure!! The story behind this item excels even its exquisite craftsmanship. Deepest thanks for sharing this story and source!! Regarding our discussion of 'unknown' physical insignia, a recent e#ay lot offered what appears to be possibly a damaged [missing either the obverse coat of arms device or just a damaged center cross but by same maker as usual insignia] star to the Montenegrin Red Cross Order, 3rd or 4th type. Below images of usual badge and the recently offered 'star'.

Regarding the 'set' imaged in Vazov's post 17 above, I saw only limited portions of the Goodwin collection and do not remember this ‘set’ at all. Given my interests,would think that I would recall seeing it or reading of it if I ever did!! However, Robert Werlich owned a somewhat similar ‘star’ in 1966-67. He said that he acquired it, perhaps in 1965-6, at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul in a lot of 10-12 high-ranking Balkan States awards sold by the same vendor. He may have listed in for sale in one of his 1967-68 catalogs; I cannot find the one in which it may have been enumerated, if that ever happened. His catalogs did not contain illustrations in any case. Alas, I could not afford the $150 price! Werlich’s ‘star’ certainly did not have a Schwertner backplate or any other marks; I believe that the star body was of a somewhat different shape [like a Romanian Crown star?] and silver, not gilt and silver. I do not recall whether the badge mounted on it had year dates or a pearled ring around the motto. The reverse pin had a more sculpted, traditional shape as found on most genuine Bulgarian stars. I have never seen another example of this sort of ‘star’ until now. As to the instant pieces, as New Word and others suggest, it might seem reasonable that if the ‘star’ has year dates, the badge would also. Further, one might expect that the sash badge would be at least as large as a first class badge. All contributors note other various ‘unusual’ aspects of these pieces, including overall quality, finish and starting price! Yet, we know that any number of ‘odd’ Bulgarian insignia configurations exist and have done since the 1940’s at least. The McKay Collection at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington contains, for example, the infamous Bulgarian ‘Order of the Red Cross Grand Cross set’ [badge & star illustrated in Werlich’s Orders and Decorations of All Nations, page 78, part of the collection since at least 1952]. Graf Klenau Auctions offered at least one related sash in the Red Cross colors in 1967-‘69. Werlich also illustrates a [misidentified] St. Alexander lst class star with swords and swords-on-the-ring from the same McKay collection. Several National Order of Military Merit commander with княз type suspension crowns or Civil Merit commanders with ‘Hessian’ crowns have appeared for sale over the years. Some possible but unlikely scenarios like an individual from a country that traditionally awarded swords plus sword-on-ring who received a Bulgarian award had insignia made to reflect their imagined honors or someone with delusions of grandeur expecting to impress superiors commissioned such insignia. It is also undoubtedly true that collectors with specialized interests could have insignia made for their imagined superior grades of Orders. An example: From the mid-1950’s thru late 1960’s a ‘Grand Cross Club’ existed in the U.S.A. composed of collectors like Goodwin, McKay, McNamara, and others who competed to ‘collect’ high rank awards. ‘Finding’ some supposed top class award from a then relatively unfamiliar country clearly would be a coup!! Aside but perhaps related note-- A French maker [maybe Bertrand?] manufactured copies of Haitian Imperial awards supposedly for the National Museum of Haiti in 1952-3 using original dies and fired enamel. Etienne used them to illustrate his 1954 published book. These copies were made of silver gilt, not gold. Nonetheless, several high-profile collectors [including some of the gentlemen named above and others like Kai Meyer of Holte and Colonel Deltcheff of Paris] managed to obtain hollow gold badges and 950 silver stars now almost indistinguishable from those made 100 years earlier! I’ve mainly given up trying to determine exactly what these things represent—are they dealer or collector assembled ‘mules’ or reconstructions, indicators of an awardee’s self-promotion, adaptations to national classes by foreigners [swords plus swords-on-ring], complete fantasies or trial pieces? Or perhaps a heretofor unknown official varient?

Similar to the curent German Cross of Honor for Bravery, if that's not it.

I suspect that Ferdinand disliked Menini's Order primarily due to its name and his possible perception of associated Roman Catholic influence or infringements in Bulgaria. Ferdinand intended to create a supreme Order for Bulgaria [and himself] using the same Saints' names. Remember the Tsar's troubled long term relationship with the Roman Catholic Church—likely a contributing overall negative factor towards Menini and his works from Ferdinand’s point of view. Here is the cover of Orden und Ehrenzeichen [June 2011] containing the article mentioned post 18 above. This issue may still be available directly from the DGO or from second-hand dealers or eB#y. Unaware of copyright protection I will not reproduce the contents. My German is rather poor but it appears that the article's Clerical Cyril & Methodius commentary indicates that Ferdinand detested Menini's ‘usurpation’ of the Saints’ names. The article describes Friedrich and Margarethe Krupp's contribution of thousands of marks towards Catholic charities, schools and so on in Bulgaria. Friedrich apparently received a St. Alexander [class unknown to me] around 1900-08--probably for armaments related ‘merits’. Margarethe’s award [document dated 16 March 1908] possibly reflects Menini’s recognition of her contributions to Catholic interests…and or a thumbing a nose at Ferdinand!!

First Graf, high congratulations on obtaining your set!! Magnificent pieces!! Seem to recall an article in the German Society journal regarding this Order and an award to Frau Krupp or someone of similar status published some years ago. Perhaps the lady received the first or second class as there was an image of a star on the cover of that issue. Will see if I can retrieve it; it may have had information on award eligibility and procedures. Dr. Paprikoff commented in the 1970's that Ferdinand actively discouraged Bulgarians from accepting this award--commentary that might be repeated in that same article. These miniatures may have been part of a collection possibly originating from a manufacturer's stock. I believe that Rothe's Kohlmarkt shop had similar items [displayed only upon request] in the late 1980's. The auction catalog offering them had a number of similar star/badge combination sets.

Owain published an article in JOMSA, Volume 56, Number 2 pp 33-36 describing these two medals and information on the service ‘campaigns’ they represent. You may find it online at: http://www.omsa.org/files/jomsa_arch/Splits/2005/58836_JOMSA_Vol56_2_34.pdf and http://www.omsa.org/files/jomsa_arch/Splits/2005/672153_JOMSA_Vol56_2_37.pdf. The one with crown suspension & green/white ribbon is the 1945 Malaria Medal. The other with green ribbon is the Cholera Medal of 1947. Both recognized service during these two major nation-wide health challenges. Somewhere I may still have an Egyptian miniature group which includes them. I am unable to find these medals listed in an official order of precedence or an Egyptian Gazette citation instituting/concerning them.

Rara Avis, Owain!! Your Fahala Order mini is only the second I know in a private collection!!

If the Orchid Blossom is correct, then other potential award candidates may include Japanese, Slovak [Special Grade of the Order of Prince Pribina according to http://www.axishistory.com/books/76-slovakia-general/slovakia-general-militaria/905-order-of-prince-pribina-slovakia], Croatian, and, maybe among others, even Hungarian honors. Carol II had a Bulgarian Cyril & Methodius, disremember whether Michael got one while in Romania. Polish White Eagle maybe a ancillary to the various Romanian-Polish Alliances, suggesting award exchanges with other allies, e.g. Little Entente partners. Somewhere a post here mentions that HM received a German Eagle Order.

Here are some perhaps interesting miniatures by French, British and Egyptian manufacturers.

Gentlemen, Keep in mind that deposed/exiled King Ahmad Fuad of Egypt continues to award honors, including the Order of Ismail. ELM certainly supplied samples and may have produced a 'run' of Ismail insignia destined for him. Possibly, other present-day manufacturers do/did the same. Several sources suggest that Ismail miniatures offered via evay have similar origins—items for purchase and use by those granted such honors, with the excess escaping onto the collector market. That evay seller also supplies miniatures for other official and ‘royal exile’ decorations. These include several Vatican and Italian State awards plus Imperial Russian Order full size and miniature insignia at least. Whether such pieces may be described as fakes, restrikes, genuine, or other representations of Ismail Order insignia appears up to the observer. Rusty, Owain’s miniature insignia design/execution simplification comments seem on point. The use of miniatures in Egypt conformed with usual [generally European] standards. Most often, miniatures would be/are worn at ‘black tie’ occasions as well as special celebratory events. Lapel devices signifying the award would usually be worn for every day attire if used at all.

Thanks for the correction--Princess Clémentine probably would have worn other awards as well...

Image below, among many others, suggests that Post 10 appears to be a portrait of the formidable Princess Clémentine of Orléans, Ferdinand's mother. He is reputed to have composed the inscription on her gravesite memorial, "King's daughter, no Queen herself, yet King's mother." This may explain her award display.

Rrumbullaku's Dekorimet [see earlier posts for full citation] page 83 seems to be the only source that gets all three classes right. He includes poor quality images of all 3 classes plus their description. HEROI/HEROIT {Hero} lst class neck badge & star as worn by King Zog in the image above. THERORI {Martyr} 2nd class is a neck badge similar to HERO class but with the Skenderbeg Crown replaced by an ornament that looks like an upside down fleur-e-lis. TRIMI {Brave} 3rd class is a neck badge similar to THEROR design but the wreath and swords are NOT suspended from the eagle's talons. Other usually accurate sources [Klietmann and Lame] indicate that TRIM insignia is the same as the Bravery Medal. According to Rrumbullaku's documentation [via Arthus Bertrand archives?] this is incorrect. I know of only 3 complete HEROI/HEROIT sets, one THERORI badge and one TRIMI badge--one of the HEROI/HEROIT sets may be an unissued specimen. Bertrand made and marked at least one run of the insignia, maybe in 1927-8.

Alex, Your post 98 query looks to be Bulgarian Officer's 10 year service cross. Also, the medal I could not ID earlier appears to be a MECKLENBURG-SCHWERIN 1897 Memorial Medal for Grand Duke Friedrich Franz III though ribbon seems incorrect {c.f. Polish White Eagle???}

The Kretly stars seem a real curiosity. At one point they were posited as trial pieces for the Catholic Order and again as trials [with the motto ring] for the alleged 1920's Russian exile Order {see FAKE BULGARIAN ORDERS ON THE MARKET, post 193. Liverpool listed a star of this Kretly type with the "K" and Byzantine/Russian crown center]. One expert suggested that they were Second Class First Division stars. Note that they have a 'rounder' outer circumfrence than Meyer stars.

New World--simply a fantastic and extremely rare set!! Absolutely correct case for this award. The outer lid bears the arms of Archbishop Roberto Menini, O.F.M. Apostolic Vicar of Sofia and Plovdiv [1885-1916], who founded this Order in February, 1905 to recognize contributions to the Roman Catholic Church in Bulgaria. Pope Pius X sanctioned the Order later that same year. Men and women, Bulgarians and foreigners, all could qualify for this honor. Supposedly organized into 3 classes with First Class being a badge, sash & star; Second class, 1st division, being a neck badge & star; Second class, 2nd division, neck badge only; Third class breast badge worn on trifold ribbon. All insignia known made in Vienna by Meyer and so marked. First and Second class cases most often[3 of 4 I’ve seen!] have Menini’s arms on the outer lid but none of the five third class cases I’ve seen display the arms on the lid. Tsar Ferdinand tried to 'influence' abolition of this Order to pave the way for his own Order of Cyril & Methodius through many stratagems--all of which failed. When Menini died in 1916, however, this Order became 'obsolete'. Insignia of the higher grades is quite difficult to find, especially cased sets. I know [1959 to present] of only one cased First Class set plus 2 uncased sets, two cased Second Class with star [New World's, likely ex-Klenau auction ex-Robert McNamara collection] and one uncased set. Badges for Second Class with star insignia usually seem to be the same size as First Class sash badges while Second Class [without star] badges seem to be the same size as Third Class badges but fitted with a cravat loop. I recall seeing maybe 10-12 Third Class badges being offered for sale over the years but do not know how many were the same items being resold. Several articles on this Order describe it in more detail but none to my hand at present. Again, New World, what a wonderful and rare set!!!

If Alex seeks the identity of the three "?" medals: last appears to be a Medal for the Yambol-Bourgas Railway, 1890--likely gold class next to last, a Saxe-Coburg-Gotha Commemorative Medal for the Silver Wedding Anniversary of Duke Alfred and Grand Duchess Maria, 1899 Next to that--can't recall i

New World, Good questions.....Finishing details like the loop may well have changed during subsequent manufacture--especially if some insignia originally had a trophy of arms or Ladies' bow suspension as Klietmann states. The "K" could be for either Kiril or Konstantine and the Russian appearing Crown could also represent a Byzantine Crown. Both possibilities support the options in posts 191 and 193 above.

Hi Graf, If you are an OMSA member you may see the images Klietmann mentions at http://www.omsa.org/files/download.php?file=JOMSA_Vol10_4.pdf&stream=true&year=1959 page 5. Somewhere I have images of at least the Liverpool star and a couple of the badges as well--can not say when I'll locate them! I have NEVER been able to trace the organization that Klietmann mentions in spite of many efforts. There was a story [maybe published in a 1960's-70's Sabretache?] mentioned by Colonel Delchoff [a French collector died in the late 1970's-early '80's] that these pieces related to a 1920's-'30's Russian exile group associated with Grand Duke Kiril of Russia in Paris. However, that ribbon was identified as a dark salmon/brown color. Rothe had that ribbon in stock from about 1960-86.

Greetings! Item in Graf's post 186 described by Dr. Klietmann [in the 1950's] as insignia of a private Order based in Paris. By chance, found Dr. Klietmann's notes published in "The Medal Collector" issue for September-October 1959, page 12. [Fair use copy] O. OF SS° CYRIL & METHODIU8 - ADDITIONAL COMMENTS BY DR. K. G. KLIETMANN REFERRING TO THE ILLUSTRATIONS ON THE LOWER PORTION OF PAGE 5 OF THE JULY-AuGusT 1959 ISSUE, WHICH SHOWED SOME UNUSUAL BADGES IN THE COLLECTION OF DR, GOODWlN, THE FOLLOWING CAN BE SAID: THIS IS THE BADGE OF A PRIVATE ORGANIZATION FOUNDED IN PARIS ON NOV, 24 1952~ WITH THE NAME NOBLE ASSOCIATION CHEVALERESQUE DE LA CROIX DE CONSTANTIN LE GRAND [NOBLE AND KNIGHTLY ASSOCIATION OF THE CROSS OF CONSTANTINE THE GREAT]. THE STATUTE IS SIGNED BY DON RIUS BERNARD~ PRINCE OF THESSALIE. THE BADGE PICTURED ON THE LEFT IS WORN BY ALL MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION FROM A SKY--BLUE RIBBON. MISSING ON THE BADGE IS THE TROPHY (FOR MEN) OR THE ENAMELLED LADIES BOW~ SIMILAR TO THE CROSSES OF THE 0. OF MALTA. THE STAR ON THE RIGHT~ WAS" TO BE AWARDED FOR SPECIAL MERITS IN THE CAUSE OF THE ASSOCIATION~ AS PER THE 8TATUTES~ AND WAS CALLED hPLAQUE DE MERITE~(PLAQUE OF MERIT). THIS ASSOCIATION MOST LIKELY DOES NOT EXIST ANY MORE° THE BADGES WERE MADE IN PARIS. Inferences that the private society design copies a Bulgarian precursor seem accurate if Klietmann's report is correct. Liverpool Medals had a star for sale some years ago as did Patrice Reboul. Among other places, several badges may be found illustrated in old [1970's-'80's] Klenau auction catalogs.

Based on ribbon appearance and general cross format, his last award most likely the Order of the Oak Crown of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

Thank you for posting this precious image!!

First 3 are 'private' awards, usually buy your own diploma and insignia. See https://www.comitedentente.be/membres/confédération-européenne-des-anciens-combattants-c-e-a-c/, https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croix_du_combattant_de_l'Europe and https://www.encouragement-public.org/ and related sites for details. Last is an official BE award usually for long service. Given substance of the first three, perhaps self-awarded. .

Yes, dangerous for the unsuspecting. From musical instruments to Orders...... Do not forget the sash!!

Paul Kaparoff [kap73p@aol.com] has a wide variety of ribbon for sale including some Pakistani, Indian and Indian State stock. He may have these Sitara e Harb ribbons on hand.