922F

Magnificent group in excellent condition...sincere congratulations!! Interesting that his Bulgarian Military Merit Order knight lacks war wreath but is on war ribbon in the group.

Michael, Sorry my comment #2 above transposed 6th class insignia descriptions. 'Actual' observed insignia description seems as 5th class with enamel center and 'star' points, 6th class with an enameled center but lacks enamel on the 'star' arms. Pieces sometimes called 6th class or 'varient' have no enamel at all. Statutes in French and Arabic exist somewhere on web but cannot locate them now--maybe in a Sabretache or related document? When class structure expanded (1855 & 1898?) insignia design changed. http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nichan_Iftikhar#Insignes_de_l.27ordre_et_leurs_ports offers the following data ca. 1898-1957. Les insignes se composent : d'un insigne, une étoile en argent à dix branches à décors de pointes de diamant, avec une étoile superposée à dix branches émaillées et alternées vert et rouge. La bélière est formée par un nœud en argent. Le centre d'émail vert porte le monogramme du bey régnant. d'une plaque, qui reprend la forme de l'insigne à vingt branches non émaillées. d'un ruban vert aux deux liserés de rouge. Le port s'effectue de la façon suivante : Grand-cordon comprend un cordon passé de l'épaule droite à hanche gauche portant un bijou à l'extrémité, ainsi qu'une plaque portée au côté gauche ; Grand officier comprend une plaque portée au côté droit ; Commandeur comprend un insigne porté en sautoir ; Officier comprend un insigne porté sur la poitrine gauche, avec un ruban à rosette ; Chevalier de 1re classe comprend un insigne à branches non émaillées [my emphasis] porté sur la poitrine gauche, à un ruban ; Chevalier de 2e classe est identique à la précédente mais sans émail au centre [my emphasis]. . According to this description, Knight lst class has a ribbon without rosette and unenameled 'star' points but an enameled center and Knight 2nd class has a ribbon without rosette and no enamel at all. However, almost all knight lst class insignia seen with bestowal documents (1920s-40s) have enameled star arms and centers. c.f. http://www.expertissim.com/decorations/tunisie-ordre-de-nichan-iftikhar-o130110.html?parent=L25vcy1vYmpldHMtZC1hcnQtZXQtYW50aXF1aXRlcz9xPW5pY2hhbg%3D%3D#image and http://gmic.co.uk/index.php/topic/34641-medal-nichan-iftikhar-ou-nichan-al-iftikhar/ So the difference between officer and knight first class grades appears to be just a rosette on the ribbon Also, most knight 2nd class insignia seen with bestowal documents (1920s-40s) have enamel centers with unenameled star arms. This indicates the difference between knight lst class [enameled 'star' points] and knight 2nd class no enamel on 'star' points. Most persons decorated with this order bought their insignia which likely accounts for possible confusion. Ribbons could easily be changed in any case. In sum, the1898 statutes will answer your question, when we find them!

5th class statutorily with enamel star rays & center, no rosette on ribbon, 6th class without any enamel. Pieces exist without enamel star rays but with enamel centers--usually with "Ali" monogram: said to be 6th class or manufacturer varients.

I believe it is the Bulgarian Military Merit Order 4th Class with Crown. Correct--different in that it is mounted on a Bravery Order ribbon [signifying direct action war service] rather than the usual ribbon [for military merit] though the badge lacks a [war service] wreath. Suspect whomever mounted it simply used 'on-hand' ribbon stock. That this badge lacks the wreath buttresses a medical or other non-direct combat officer recipient theory. ​A very fine bar!!

This piece perhaps more of a double cross dragon?

Thank you for these images--absolutely first class! A most complete exposition on these awards. Interesting that the ribbon bars included with cased order insignia do not appear to mirror the full size ribbon design.

Simply wonderful information and images!! The designs and ribbon colors admirably incorporate themes from historic Serbian awards while introducting elements clearly indicating and encouraging the nation's positive forward-thinking and goals. Sincere thanks to you, Paja, for sharing your valuable resources with us!!

Thank you for this extraordinary information!! Are the statutes publicly available in printed/illustrated form and if so where? Who designed the awards? Do you know what firm manufactures the decorations and prints the documents. Sincere thanks for a very worthy effort!!

Massive set Nick!--in every sense of the word. Will check mine [in a few days] to see if it bears the "V" mark. Quality of enamel work is low sometimes resulting in 'pop-out' although gilding usually excellent. These are not easily found--congratulations!

Is this all silk, rayon or......?? Professional dry cleaning usually works.

Sloppy eater -- forgot to pray before dinner? Trying to make a quick profit by selling relics?

Missed Ulsternam's 2007 query. Cejalvo of Madrid had at least two contracts [early and mid 1980s] to produce Equatorial Guinea decorations. Pins on the reverse of two of the above stars suggest Spanish workmanship. In 1996, a Malabo source informed that decorations would be manufactured in Paris, presumably by Bertrand, but no solid confirmation of that ever received. Burke implies that Bertrand made insignia for the National Order, at least.

Marks usually found on reverse of star body, at tips of star rays, on pin [either side], on pin hasp, upper or lower pin hinge, or on reinforcement work. Center, quite possibly of gold, may have a small mark on side of monogram. 70 X 90 mm diameter size could be either grand officer or grand cross.

Happy to be of assistance. This quality and style suggests you do not have a fake. As to period of manufacture, probably 1890-1900 [based on reverse crown reinforcement & Wolfers' address] not later than 1910. Though I do not see any in your posted images, you may wish to closely examine the piece for silver, import or other markings that may help define manufacture dates. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_the_Immaculate_Conception_of_Vila_Vi%C3%A7osa for more information on the order. Most likely, you have a Grand Cross or Grand Officer star--diameter measurements run from about 75 mm. to 90 mm. Usually larger stars equal grand cross grade.

Guillaume [G] Wolfers [& Cie.] of Brussels produced award insignia from the 1850s-1960s{?}. The company still exists and manufactures/sells silverware, jewlery and associated items. Currently known as Wolfers Frères, the following websites have some information regarding this firm: http://bijoutierwolfers.be/fr?WT.mc_id=dp_ and http://www.adin.be/en/explanation-on-wolfers-by-adin-antique-vintage-and-estate-jewelry.htm. Jacobs' Court Jewellers of the World provides the firm's history connected with decorations and names some of the items produced by it. Reportedly Fibru [later Fibru-Fisch] and/or DeGreef obtained dies and other material related to awards and decorations when Wolfers exited the medal business. In addition to Belgian, Wolfers made French, Luxembourgouis, Persian, Portugese, Sedang, Spanish, plus many other countries and entities' decorations. Usually, their work is of high quality, like your Villa Vicosa star.

Remember that Regent of Hungary, Miklos Horthy, revived the Order of St. Stephan in 1938 and appointed a number of men to the Order. These included leading Hungarians [Cardinal Seredi and Prime Minister Teleki de Szek & Horthy himself plus perhaps a few others], Goring, Ribbontrop, supposedly Marshal Antonescu, and maybe others to the Order. Perhaps the display includes the award to Goring or a representation of it.

Hope that everyone is 'at ease' before viewing this remarkable image of Lion & Sun 'holder" Roger Djupvik, the Grand Sword Bearer of the [certainly original, valid, and special] Order of St. Stanislaus!!! Interestingly enough one GLEN HOLE.......[no comment!] serves as "Grand Master' of this Order.... [http://faketitlesandorders.wordpress.com/2014/06/10/the-imperial-order-of-st-stanislas/#comments]

Nick, #23 -- outstanding image!! Felix's fantasy finery?? Collar & large 'flat' star w/red Maltese Cross most likely are SOUVERÄNER TEMPELHERRENORDEN IN DEUTSCHLAND; red Byzantine Cross at neck--a fake Constantinian Order, maybe 'The Imperial Supreme Military Orthodox Dynastic Constantinian Order of Saint George (Byzantium)'; Sash an 'Ordre Signum Fidei' varient--cannot make out badge, disremember the pink enamel neck cross w/black eagles but maybe an 'Order of St. Tatinia' Honor Cross?? White bordered Maltese Cross below that may be an 'Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch' though a couple other 'independents' use that same badge format/design. Curiously, the lower left star beneath Iron Cross lst class looks like a Brazil [republic] Order of Merit grand officer star.....this based on the Rose Order type design. Given the others on display here, that identification may be quite incorrect.

Thank you Nick--GREAT IMAGES, as usual. Years ago an exposition of portraits of the Armenian Patriarchs of Jerusalem contained many interesting photos. Found one, Yessayi Garabedian [1879?] below:

Seem to recall a biography entry [not his autobiography or a Lowell Thomas] that recounts a meeting between Luckner & Ferdinand of Bulgaria. Luckner described himself [as usual, unclear whether modestly or in self aggrandizement?] as a simple sailor, 'by Joe!!'. Ferdinand presented him with a Bravery Cross as well as a Bravery Order as a result. Given Luckner's reputed typical attitude, he chose to wear the Bravery Cross rather than the Order. Cannot retrieve a citation and do not know whether this tale is true. However, such a circumstance could be similar to that between Emperor Dom Pedro II of Brazil and Russian Grand Duke Aleksander Mikhailovich in 1887 [reported in Once A Grand Duke, 1932, p. 98]. Dom Pedro II intended to present Aleksander an Order of the Cross but Alex asked for the Order of the Rose instead. Dom Pedro gave Aleksander both. A few sources state that Luckner 'enhanced' his actual award entitlements. He may have received additional decorations in the 1930s and afterward. An example, Luckner reportedly acted as Grand Master of at least one "Order of St. John, Grand Priory of America of the Sovereign Order of St. John of Jerusalem" from 1962-66.

Look on reverse--perhaps a maker's mark by CORO [French costume jewelry maker that 'inherited' award dies] or similar manufacturer.

Thanks New World, beat me to it. Could you identify the signatures [orders secretary and registrar], please? Great document--auctioned a few years back??

Would give translation a try

Bulgarian czarist award structure can be confusing; brief overview follows: What we call in English [& most other languages} the Bulgarian Order of Military Merit is, according to original statute, the military division of the National Order of Merit founded in August, 1891. This National Order of Merit was structured into a typical 5 class award with an associated cross and the highest grade being called 'first class'. By 1900 crown suspensions could be added to the lowest grade and cross for added merits. In May, 1900, the National Order of Merit was partitioned into two divisions, one for military and one for civil activities. Differences between the two divisions include use of red enamel for military merit vs. white enamel for civil merit; replacing oak sprigs between arms for civil merit with crossed swords for military merit and use of white green red ribbon for civil and yellow, black white ribbon for military. War decoration distinctions for the military division [laurel/oak wreath surround central medallion] came into use ca. 1916 during WW I. In 1933 [some say 1923] both divisions obtained what we generally now call the 'first class' grade ; a star badge and sash. However, as the pre-change highest grade had been named first class so the former first class [badge sash star] highest grade became termed grand cross. All 'Military Merit Order' insignia have swords between the cross arms. Main differences in appearance between Grand Cross and First Class insignia: Often/Sometimes Grand Cross insignia is a bit larger in size Grand cross 8 point star body is silver with 4 gilt rays appearing between 4 principal points -- first class 8 point star body all silver Grand Cross sash about 100-105 mm wide First class sash about 90 mm wide. [sash color distribution a bit different for first class grade from other classes] Believe there's a detailed discussion of these differences elsewhere on GMIC--see also Petrov's and Pavlov's works [excerpts on-line] on the subject. Hope this helps you understand the differences in insignia/grades.

Pierce, is this a document for his Bulgarian Grand Officer, Civil Merit Order or his first class Military Merit Order? Not sure if he had war decoration on his Military Merit Order & document would reveal this.