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A complete line of such 'collector replica copies' exists and includes insignia of a wide variety of awards [at least 20] from Portugese Christ to Austrian Iron Crown, from Italian Crown to French Legion of Honor, from Romanian Star to German Order of Merit. For 'modern' awards, the ribbon accompanying these is very close to original in quality. Comparable to the German Gode replicas but finished on both sides and somewhat better quality. Sometimes in the plastic cases described and sometimes without. Do not know origin or manufacturer. In my experience, they first appeared at Beograd airport shops a few years ago, after the crude White Eagle and Karageorge keychain replicas were on offer there. The "R" mark indicates they are replicas, allowing for seller disclaimers! Not sure where they are made but they appear on French and Italian eBay more frequently than on U.S. or U.K. eBay. Not sure of the exact number of awards that this type replica 'represents', but the variety is growing.

Once again, thank you Nick for this excellent research work and fine images!

Nick, Thank you for these Wonderful images reflecting a devoted and sincere "labor of love". Believe the first award on bar in post #57 & #58 is a Chile Order of Merit officer--note the condor bird suspension, rosette and apparent female head in the center medallion. The rare piece shown in posts #59 and #60 this thread lacks a suspension 'bird' and the central medallion detail appears different than #57/#58.

Thank you, Graf! Interested members may wish to look at page 3 of GMIC thread: Bulgarian Order of St Alexander -Two Variatians? A very brief discussion of some apparently altered/modified Bulgarian czarist Order insignia exists there. Castings of very rare Bulgarian medals are reported, examples include the Alexander accession medal and Ferdinand 25th year reign commemorative medal.

Nick, You are out-doing yourself!! My cordial thanks for your post 50 close-up. Prime Minister Giichi Tanaka certainly appears to wear a Bulgarian St. Alexander Order star. While I cannot make out individual letters, this opinion based not only on general star format but motto ring borders plus motto letter spacing and wreath spray. Perhaps he received it while in Russia after the First Sino-Japanese War??All the very best!!

Thank you for posting these images. Are these always interesting things from one Bulgarian eBay vendor who usually has several jeweled pieces on offer? Curious [or not] how all the 'diamond surrounds' look the same in terms of size and rather crude finish? Sometimes his decoration cases look newly made? I cannot imagine any 'modern time' dealer or collector removing crossed swords from a St. Alexander first class star--such stars are just too difficult to find compared with the civil, or even swords through center variety. While swords have been removed from Military Bravery insignia many times to 'achieve' the rare medical type badges, cannot imagine 'sword through center' removal given the much greater availability of civil insignia. These 'rarity' factors would seem to preclude such changes. On the other hand, if someone has 5 or 6 of the same pieces, maybe they would try to diversify. It seems well known and documented that large stocks of unissued Bulgarian royal decorations remained in central repositories in Sofia and Varna, at least. There seem to be many 'spare parts' from the same source. Some of these have made their way onto the collector market since the late 1940s-early 1950s until present. It also seems likely that in the past, varient Bulgarian St. Alexander insignia existed--see Werlich for a St. Alexander lst class star with swords on ring and swords in center. [He shows even a 'Red Cross Order star'!!!] Klenau offered a commander with swords and swords on ring in 1969 and again in 1973. One could construct a story that the Chancery had many unused sets with swords on ring and needed civil type sets so rather than obtain more civil sets their technicians altered swords on ring or swords sets. This certainly happened in other places including some of the German States and pieces made in the UK for other countries. A late St. Alexander commander with swords on ring awarded to a Soviet general appears as follows: Cross directly attached to suspension loop with swords on ring component piece 'threaded' through the suspension loop. A simple typed paper conferring the award accompanies this piece. I will attempt to get an image of this pair for this thread.

Again, fascinating images!! Sincere thanks for posting these, Nick! It appears that Prime Minister Giichi Tanaka wears a Bulgarian St. Alexander Order star below his Striped Tiger star. Is it possible to verify that award?

I'm sure assembling these images required much research and diligent work. Your effort merits utmost admiration and respect! Do you know whether any of these individuals' groups remain intact and/or possibly displayed? Sincere thanks for sharing these magnificant images!!!

Robin, Have you seen K-G Klietmann's "Medal Collector" article on the shield? Believe it was published in the early-mid 1960s. It has an image of the signed design concept sheet. Probably the same document as yours...I could look for the article if you wish. Likely document ex-Klietmann via Blass to you.

Too true--some still remember when U.S. military pundets mocked Soviet and related, especially North Korean, military services for 'armor-plating their generals' torsos with medals'!

First, I believe that Nick’s suggestion to establish a thread for sharing images of persons [Japanese and others] awarded Imperial Korean awards is a terrific idea. Written accounts & decoration groups suggest that, in addition to Japanese nationals, at least one U.S. minister to Seoul, Danish and/or Swedish businessmen, a French consul or consul-general, several Balkan states’ [military?] officers, and Russian officials received Imperial Korean decorations. Surely other foreigners also qualified for them. Images of these individuals actually wearing the insignia would be truly interesting. On the question of Jean-Bedel Bokassa’s ‘self-awarded’ decorations……….. Bokassa most certainly was not a saint but he wore just one Order that he created and ‘through action of the Central African government’ [viz. himself] received. Whether he loved ‘bling’, was insecure, or whatever the cause, he apparently also enjoyed showing off his awards. Bokassa’s hardware display was not much different from those in images we scrutinize in attempts to discover what decorations 1880s-1920s personalities held, invidious comparisons notwithstanding. His other awards include mainly ‘3rd world’ African, Asian, and Middle Eastern nations’ honors but at least one of the exact same caliber as Marquis/Prince Sanetsune Tokudaiji -- the French Legion of Honor. Many governments likely decorated Bokassa with the aim of appealing to his personal vanity/obsession and thus influencing him or for reciprocal award acknowledgement and some may have had other motives. It is worth remembering, however, that Bokassa won a Black Star of Benin chevalier and later a Legion of Honor chevalier plus other French medals and decorations while serving as a French soldier.

Wonderful---seems to have Imperial Korean award amongst others. Thank you for posting this great image!!

Thanks, Mervyn, for posting this interesting badge & document. Amongst other research resources, type BOSE in GMIC's search function for more information on the INA & "Free India Movement"--see especially posts by Ed Haynes. Dr. K.-G. Kleitmann published perhaps the first English language study on Azad Hind in the 1950s--he himself received the Azad Hind decoration supposedly for designing the award. Ed provided citations for Azad Hind awards.

You are certainly welcome. If the green outer case lid has what looks like an "O" as the bottom character, then it is a 5th class case and likely originally accompanied your Osmanie Order.

A somewhat damaged but genuine 5th class Ottoman Osmanie Order with reverse central medallion 'rotated' about 90 degrees. Probably in a Medjidie original issue case....compare with the last image in the first post above. The outer case lid may have an inscription like that one. If the bottom character is the same, then it is a commander case and likely belongs with your Medjidie badge. Almost certainly made in Turkey.

You appear to have a somewhat battered but genuine 3rd class Ottoman Medjidie Order missing the reverse central portion & with a wire [?] replacing the suspension hinge. The cravat loop is incomplete [cut] and the obverse center [which may be gold] is a bit 'rotated'. Many manufacture variations exist, especially in regard to suspension attachment methods. Usually, Turkish-made made pieces' reverse centers have an inscription like that in the second image, first post. Infrequently, this is on a seperate piece of metal. Foreign-made pieces sometimes have a plate with the maker's identification information on the reverse center. Copies of this award certainly exist. Yours does not appear to be a fake; I'd guess that it was made in Turkey.

'Private' decoration of the Belgian-Spanish Association. Brevets/diplomas name award 'authority' as Asociacion Belgo-Hispanica. Supposedly a 'tribute' to historical and EU generated links between the two nations. Appears to have a five class structure. Established in the mid-late 1990s? Manufactured by De Greef and possibly Fibru [Fibru-Fisch] of Brussels. In 2007-8, De Greef's rue du Midi shop window display included a commander badge, a star and several miniatures. A decoration associated with Belgium's Flemish community exists but this is not it!

Owain, I agree that the work quality of these mystery stars and badges appears to be pre-WW II & likely pre-1920. Rothe certainly made Ottoman Osmanie insignia; the badge suspension could well be a 'repurposing' of an Osmanie related existing die. Marks [stamps] on the star pin are hard to decypher for me. I'd expect a "Rothe" and a "Wien" stamp. Cannot make out the mark nearest the pin hinge where I'd expect the "Rothe" stamp. The next stamp may be a "Wien" stamp. The next 2 small punches are a blur. Marks on the star reverse disc seem to be a lozenge [probably an Austrian metal finess indicator] & above that a repeat of one of the blur stamps. Some countries [e.g. France] require [d] that imported silver & gold items be 'controled' for metal fineness. The indecypherable stamps may be such marks? I've found Haus-, Hof- und Staatsarchiv staff in Vienna quite willing to assist; someone may be able to visit their 'Minority Place' office and review the Rothe archive for possible information???

Owain, The house of Rothe traced its business origin to 1834. Under the 5th generation stewardship of sisters Susanna und Elisabeth, the house continued an order insignia [and jewelery] trade at its Kohlmarkt 7 Vienna shop until a few years ago--maybe as late as 2008. They furnished new Golden Fleece insignia for the Hapsburgs and 'officially' retailed Vatican, among other, awards. The sisters sold a fair amount of second hand insignia and old stock pieces/supplies to collectors and museums. Depending on circumstances, the house supplied 'collector copies' of various awards from at least the 1950s-'90s, some complete with hallmarks dating from late 1880s to 1950s. Known mainly for reproductions of Imperial Austrian Orders, the firm could make insignia of any decoration from their extensive holding of dies. They produced Serbian, German and Italian 'States', Imperial Mexican and many other national award as well as society insignia 'restrikes'. Some of these were marked as copies and some not--some had 'correct' hallmarks and some not. Enamel and metal hand finish quality usually are the best guide to time period production for these items. The sisters were charming, quite unassuming and very friendly; they dealt with inquiries most courteously, taking obvious but quiet pride in their family history and traditions. They graciously offered traditional Viennese coffee and sweets during lengthy visits. Grand ladies indeed. I believe that Elisabeth died in 2008 or thereabouts. After the shop closed, the Austrian state records bureau [Haus-, Hof- und Staatsarchiv] inherited and now conserves Rothe's document archive. Dealers bought Rothe's small remaining insignia stock as well as manufacturing dies; these have trickled onto the collector market ever since.

Your image, indeed, appears to depict Wilhelm zu Wied. No complete verified list of Wilhelm's lifetime awards known to be published to date. Quite possibly he received additional decorations before and during WW I and, as Eric's post from C. Buyers 'Royal Ark' notes, he certainly got some after that war. For more, see thread [among others]: Albania- Wied era medals in Southern European & Balkan States: Non Communist Era Started by James Hoard, 05 Feb 2009 Last Post by Artan Lame, 04 May 2012 , .

Eng Leong of Singapore [aka Royal Insignia and other similar names] supplies The Most Honorable Order of the Crown of Jahore [Darjah Mahkota Johore Yang Amat Mulia] insignia since the late 1990s, if not before. This firm manufactures many other awards as well. Workmanship is of highest standard, including 'hot enamel' and hand metal finishing even today. The insignia images posted by drclaw above appear to depict Eng Leong manufacture based on the decorative element between the motto inscription words. [Marked Benson pieces have more distinct 'flower/crosses'.] Wing Commander E.H. O'Toole wrote a "Medal Collector" article published in the 1960s fully describing this Order. This Order includes specific insignia for its officers. O'Toole and Haji Abdul Mubin Sheppard provided detailed information in their Malayan Orders and Decorations published in 1962. According to O'Toole, Benson stopped making this insignia in 1960. That said, neither O'Toole/Sheppard nor Eng Leong personnel nor other published sources [e.g. Werlich, Burke or 'Royal Ark'] report any 'first type' insignia for the Order. O'Toole and Sheppard note that they had full access to all statutes and records concerning their work. GMIC post Royal Abu Bakar museum, Johor includes images of decorations displayed there. No 'first type' insignia for this Order appears there or on exhibition at the museum. [Last personal visit, April 2010.] I seem to recall a mid-1960s OMRS article, maybe by O'Toole, citing the Order statutes indicating that the insignia design remained the same 'since 31 July 1886'. Pictures of Sultan Abu Bakar, the Order's founder, available via Google show him wearing a collar like that in drclaw's post. The sash accompanying Hermann Historica's insignia is not correct for the Order of the Crown of Jahore--correct colors shown in drclaw's image. That's not to say sashes cannot be substituted. A photo of a star similar to the first image above appeared in a mid-1960s Klenau auction listed as 'unknown Arabic award'. Without conclusive documentation for an Order of the Crown of Jahore insignia change, it appears that the pieces in question cannot be attributed to that Order. Owain's post [#5] shows a medal with design elements similar to the unknown star. That certainly suggests an avenue for further research.

A J. Lattes [of Cairo] case likely of Faud kingdom era perhaps for either a Medal for Meritorious Actions [founded 1916-17], a Medal for Devotion [founded 1920], or a Medal of Benevolence [founded 1927-28]. All were 3 class [gilt, silver, bronze] medals. Judging by the medal 'nest', Medal of Benevolence seems the best candidate. Fahmy Bichay said that his family firm used the name J. Lattes initially because a 'foreign name' sounded more prestigious than an Egyptian one.

Stars Below sash: Top Uganda Order of Source of Nile. 2nd row Chad Order of National Merit, Burkina Faso Order of Merit [2nd version] 3rd row UNKNOWN Malta Companion of Honour of the National Order of Merit with collar Mauritania National Order of Merit

Thank you both--saw one of these in a Tokyo collection about 10-12 years ago without ribbon. Owner described it as a palace security guard award, whether for being a member of the guard or for superior service unknown.

An attractive piece with apparently undamaged enamel [often a problem, especially with the centers]. Judging by the suspension above the crown, your badge was not one of those converted from breast wear to neck wear. The crown type is another good 'date of manufacture' marker. Though yours appears British-made, some 45mm size insignia were made in France. Your piece may be Garrard-made. Contemporary cases and ribbon [silk ribband!] may be found in auctions both on-line & in person. Dealers may also have old stock pieces. http://www.ribbonssh.../international/ offers modern made CMG neck ribbon in the wide size at a reasonable price. British dealers sell the same thing plus the narrow 'under collar' ribbon also used with miniatures. Spinks or Cleave http://www.cleave.com may be useful for a modern case & ribbon, though many collectors report 'not useful' experiences with both. Peter Galloway's 2006 The Order of St. Michael and St. George provides full details & illustrations of the Order's history and insignia changes. The OMSA library, co-located with the ANS library, has a copy as do a few major metropolitian libraries. A copy should be available through inter-library loan if one is not to hand.