922F

Very beautiful example! Agree with Jeff--was this ex-McNamara? He had two of this type and seem to remember he bought both from Maision Platt [Paris] in the mid-late '60s.

Very Nice!!!

Thank you, Ed, for your willingness to share your expertise at the OMSA convention. I'm sure that those attending the convention will benefit from, and greatly enjoy, your presentation. Preparing and presenting material at this and the other seminars requires serious effort and commitment. Equally, work required to orchestrate and display an exhibit, especially under the specific parameters mandated for OMSA conventions, merits the highest praise. Your example should encourage others to participate by not only attending the seminar but by volunteering to speak about and/or exhibit their special interests at future events. Kudos and thanks for your initiative and involvement! The OMSA convention's George Seymour Memorial Seminar on International Topics will also include a talk by Ed Emmering on French Lifesaving Awards and by another person on a subject still under discussion. The OMSA convention will offer two additional seminars [one about U.S. awards and one on British/Commonwealth decorations].

This is often identified as the Burundi Republic version of the Order of Prince Louis Rwagasore. This order is a thorny proposition itself--it is likely/possible that two orders by that name actually exist(ed). A friend tried unsuccessfully to get info on both Burundi and Rwanda from about 1999-2002. Somewhere there's a write up in either the Belgian collectors' journal (MEDEC), the old French Sabretache or some similar publication. As I recall, first type (kingdom or regency) insignia (maybe the first distinct order) was more elaborate and was a 6 or 7 class set up with three affilated medals. Possibly there was a crown or wreath suspension. The ribbon had green and maybe black stripes besides red and white. McNamara had some insignia he sold to Gustav Tammann. It was sold in the UBS Tamann auction last year. That auction catalog pictures his kingdom grand cross set. The 2nd type (republic) insignia looks like your badge. These were sold in Kenya [by curio shoops--maybe ex-looters?] and by a Belgian eBay vendor. Story was that these were made in either Charleroi or Brussels maybe by Fibru or DeGreef or subcontractors, and either never paid for or left unclaimed. Either a shifty employee stole some and they got on the market or new management "swept them out". There is a square medal of the 2nd design as well but whether this is a knight badge or an affiliated medal is unclear. The republic star that looks like a Rwanda 1000 lakes Order star with a Rwagasore center. In principle, orders statutes and honorees' names must be published in the official journals. In reality, who knows? I suppose you've GOOGLED without success? There is a Google article on Prince Louis Rwagasore. Stair-Sainty has nothing--donot remember if the French Africa awards Book even mentions it.

Gentlemen, Hendrik, thank you for the information on the Cambodian National Merit award; I stand corrected. Maybe there is a blue ribbon for ribbon bar use to indicate such an award??? Claudio, thank you again for sharing this group---I believe your last post is definitive. As to ribbon group construction, it might appear the precedence could be mixed between date of award and rank order. On 7 January 1944, a law extended M?daille des ?vades eligibility to 'escapers [or attempted escapers]' during the 2nd World War. About 39,000 military and civilian personnel received the medal for their efforts during WW II. It could also be retroactively awarded for Franco-Prussian War 'escapers'! Residents of Alsace-Lorraine during the "German occupation of 1871-1918" could qualify for the medal. These provisions according to the 20 August 1926 establishment law and a 1927 decree. [a number of published and internet references provide this information--maybe the easiest to find is www.france-phaleristique.com/somdecos.htm. see below] Croix dM?daille des ?vades (1926)e Guerre des Th??tres d'Op?rations Ext?rieurs (1921) ? M?daille des ?vades (1926) la M?daille des ?vades comm?morant les actes d'?vasion des prisonniers de guerre ainsi que des populations d'Alsace-Lorraine et des territoires occup?s ( ? partir du d?cret du 7 avril 1927 ). Son attribution pour la guerre 1914 -1918, fut soumise ? l'avis d'une commission interminist?rielle si?geant au minist?re de la Guerre, qui d?cerna, ? titre militaire, pr?s de 16 000 m?dailles accompagn?es de citation permettant l'attribution de la Croix de Guerre 1914 -1918 ou des T.O.E. Pour les Alsaciens-Lorrains et les habitants des r?gions occup?es, cette m?daille ?tait obtenue, apr?s avis d'une commission sp?ciale du minist?re de l'Int?rieur. L'ordonnance du 7 janvier 1944 ?tendit son attribution, apr?s avis d'une commission, pour les actes et tentatives d'?vasion, de militaires ou de civils, pendant la guerre 1939-1945. Au 1er janvier 1992, l'on d?nombrait ainsi 38 976 m?dailles attribu?es au titre de ce conflit. profit des ?vad?s. Cette requ?te fut satisfaite par la loi du 20 ao?t 1926 qui cr?a la M?daille des ?vades comm?morant les actes d'?vasion des prisonniers de guerre ainsi que des populations d'Alsace-Lorraine et des territoires occup?s ( ? partir du d?cret du 7 avril 1927 ). Son attribution pour la guerre 1914 -1918, fut soumise ? l'avis d'une commission interminist?rielle si?geant au minist?re de la Guerre, qui d?cerna, ? titre militaire, pr?s de 16 000 m?dailles accompagn?es de citation permettant l'attribution de la Croix de Guerre 1914 -1918 ou des T.O.E. Pour les Alsaciens-Lorrains et les habitants des r?gions occup?es, cette m?daille ?tait obtenue, apr?s avis d'une commission sp?ciale du minist?re de l'Int?rieur. L'ordonnance du 7 janvier 1944 ?tendit son attribution, apr?s avis d'une commission, pour les actes et tentatives d'?vasion, de militaires ou de civils, pendant la guerre 1939-1945. Au 1er janvier 1992, l'on d?nombrait ainsi 38 976 m?dailles attribu?es au titre de ce conflit. En 1925, le d?put? Marcel PLAISANT d?posait aupr?s de la Chambre des d?put?s et au nom des associations d'?vad?s de la guerre 1914-1918, une proposition de loi visant ? cr?er une d?coration particuli?re qui entra?nerait l'attribution d'une croix de guerre au profit des ?vad?s. Cette requ?te fut satisfaite par la loi du 20 ao?t 1926 qui cr?a la M?daille des ?vades comm?morant les actes d'?vasion des prisonniers de guerre ainsi que des populations d'Alsace-Lorraine et des territoires occup?s ( ? partir du d?cret du 7 avril 1927 ). Son attribution pour la guerre 1914 -1918, fut soumise ? l'avis d'une commission interminist?rielle si?geant au minist?re de la Guerre, qui d?cerna, ? titre militaire, pr?s de 16 000 m?dailles accompagn?es de citation permettant l'attribution de la Croix de Guerre 1914 -1918 ou des T.O.E. Pour les Alsaciens-Lorrains et les habitants des r?gions occup?es, cette m?daille ?tait obtenue, apr?s avis d'une commission sp?ciale du minist?re de l'Int?rieur. L'ordonnance du 7 janvier 1944 ?tendit son attribution, apr?s avis d'une commission, pour les actes et tentatives d'?vasion, de militaires ou de civils, pendant la guerre 1939-1945. Au 1er janvier 1992, l'on d?nombrait ainsi 38 976 m?dailles attribu?es au titre de ce conflit.

Gentlemen, Claudio, if by Cambodian National Merit Order you mean the Royal Order of Cambodia, a solid blue ribbon certainly would be an innovation. [Megan's website, among others, illustrates both Royal Order of Cambodia ribbons.] Excepting a possible Khymer Rouge award--what is the Cambodian National Merit Order? An order with this name is not documented under the former royal-French colonial, Lon Nol 'republic', various Sihanouk government and regency, or present regime. I believe Hendrik makes the point. Usual French precedence would have the Palmes Academiques before the Public Health [Order under basic control of Ministry/Minister of Health; ministerial orders ranked by foundation date] followed by colonial orders. Sainz' period of activity would appear to preceed 1963/4 and, in any case, his status after 1963/4 would appear to merit more than an officier of National Merit Order. [The tomb of SAINZ Xavier (1902-1986) M?decin g?n?ral - is located in Paris, Montparnasse (75) according to www.mail-archive.com/geneamarine@yahoogroupes.fr/msg00473.html .] That said, some French ribbon groups [especially those of retired offciers] seem to be mounted in peculiar precedence--perhaps at the wish of the officer, perhaps as a mistake by the person mounting the ribbons. Maybe his times in Africa and Annam were special to him. This ensemble reflects service in many parts of the French colonial empire of a period most likely before, during and after WWII. That's one clue, perhaps, why the Public Health Order seems the most likely candidate for the blue officer ribbon. I suppose one could offer the Finnish Rose Order and maybe a few others but placement argues against that potential. French archives are difficult to penetrate -- maybe a French member has more information on Sainz?

Very nice group! Suspect the blue officer ribbon represents the French Order of Public Health [Ordre de la Sant? Publique, 1938], especially as he was a g?n?ral m?dicin. The National Order of Merit replaced the Order of Public Health in 1963/4.

Hugh is right--I was told that Koran law strictly regulates awards and possessing them. Even asking questions about them may get a very suspicious, strange or quizzical look or response. And I was thinking of Itaewon in Seoul. The "crossed bullet" Korean medals I was remembering [sorry forgot the correct name; think it was the Korean "Police Action" War commemoration medal?] actually looked like the ones you see at DeGreef's in Brussels. Maybe these were ex-U.S. PX items? Hugh, Some years ago, before the death of the "last empress" there was a sort of Korean royalist society that commemorated various imperial events, often at the downtown palace in Seoul. Usually they dressed in traditional Korean robes but a couple of times some were attired in the Korean version of European type uniforms. Do you know of this group and if so whether they used copies of imperial uniforms and awards or just theatrical type regalia? Also, is there a Korean medal collectors group?

Hello Alex, I do not have exact addresses for places where you may find medals. Since I almost always stay in big hotels, I ask the concierge staff for help in finding coin or antique [potential medal] shops or likely flea markets. If you are not staying in a big hotel (Regent, Hyatt, Four Seasons, Raffles, etc.) stop by anyway and ask the concierge. For a reasonable tip they will help you out and either give very clear directions or a map and write the address or location in national characters so that your taxi driver or guide can find antique and junk shops. A couple of highend hotel "curio" shops have the odd medal but you don't even want to ask prices there! If you make a connection with local collectors clubs [though toId such exist in both Taipei and Seoul, I have never been able to do so] I'm sure they could assist and maybe even sell some duplicates. N.B. The KL Regent hotel concierge was able to give me a lead to the KL coin collectors group. I was told that you can buy current type medals & awards from Taipei military tailors or suppliers but have not done so. In Seoul you can find a few U.S. awards and less frequently the Korean medals with the crossed bullets in the big shopping market area [forgot the name but everyone knows it] but other Korean awards are hard to find. Some U.S. military guys claimed you could get current Korean awards from military supply shops but I have not done so. Other suggestions---If you have not visited the Military Museums in Seoul or Taipei try to. There were interesting but small displays in Seoul's Military Museum including some imperial Korean awards and a great display in Taipai's. Again, I don't have the addresses but in both cities almost all taxi drivers know where they are-- concierge staff can help with this too and tell you approximate taxi fees so you don't get ripped off. Enjoy your trip!

Hugh is spot on---exact cities are useful in locating dealers. Tokyo and Taipai have a number of antique shops with medals in stock but usually at HIGH prices. A few other suggestions---There were a couple of shops a few blocks south of the Bangkok's Oriental Hotel and a few jewelers near the Bangkok U.S. Embassy could scout for you if you're in town for a couple of weeks. A shop in KL's Chinatown near the big temple had a few medals amongst general junk/antiques last year....the concierge at the Regent Hotel had the location. Before the 'troubles' several places in Kathmandu near the big central square had good stuff. Yak & Yeti hotel staff could direct. Never found anything in Johore, Surabaya, Bali, or any number of other places. If you get to Dili, near the old UN compound there is a crafts market with vendors who will search for you but pickings are very thin--one Indonesian medal & 2 UN medals in 3 visits. Vientiane and Ho Chin Minh City vendors have a few recently made royal Lao items, none I've ever seen with ribbons. Again, hotel staff have locations--of course, I'm sure they get a referral fee but you'd never find anything with out their help. Ribbons are very difficult. Thai dealer/collectors, for example, seem to have more problems getting ribbons than insignia. If you visit Paris, Bacqueville and/or Marie Stuart in the Palais Royal are better bets than Bertrand for Francophone states, usually ex-colonial, ribbons. Both still had some old stock last Fall. I believe Bacqueville also had some recently made 1,000,000 Elephant 35 mm ribbon available.

Very nice horned ladies!! Some claim Telge also made these.

Excellent example in pristine case! Have seen 1 or 3 other examples of this award [established in June, 1889] in this type case: Ring hallmarks on them were for Austrian silver purity certification and manufacturer. Scheid of Vienna is the 'known' maker but maybe Schwertner made some--some Schwertner pieces have multiple maker's marks. Though your illustration is excellent, I cannot ID the hallmarks on your piece. If you have McNamara's work on hallmarks handy that may help [sorry, mine remains in storage]. I believe one of the crosses previously seen had a French {!} import mark on the lower limb rim.

Engraving characters for birth date do not match style of other dates [figures "9", "1", and others]. Whether this means anything may be moot.

You have put together a great display! Most groups I've seen display the Balkan War commemorative medal before the WW I commemorative medal. Though both medals were instituted at the same time, most awardees mounted the Balkan War medal first as those wars occured first. D.Acovic authored a study of Bulgar awards in the 1980s that may cite a specific law or regulation on award precedence. I do not have an accessible copy at present. Petrov's and Denkov's books [among others] are expensive but well worth the money in terms of solid research, terrific photos, and the reality that running down details and translating them would cost much, much more.

Saw one a couple of weeks ago in the Rome flea market...the vendor said it came out of Hungary recently and "resembled" the 1991 Hungarian Order of Merit officer badge except for the center and reverse medallion........ l'm no expert in this area but wonder about the dealer's comment! On the other hand, this example has champeleve work under the center enamel [some current made examples do not have the champeleve work] and the green enamel edging appears wider than on the Rome example.

Sometime in the 1970s-80s, Frank Dennis wrote a series of articles about marshal rank officers published in OMSA's "Medal Collector". I recall for sure that one discussed Polish field marshals, am fairly sure some described French marshals, and he may have written on Romanian and Russian marshals. At least the Polish article illustrated a marshal's baton. Unfortunately, I do not have access to those journals or the various "Medal Collector" indexes--perhaps someone else can find the exact cites for Dennis' work?

Very nice Lorenzo! What size is it? These miniatures were made by both Gerrard [London] and Bertrand [Paris] and perhaps others. Gerrard pieces are slightly larger than Bertrand. The workmanship on yours looks like a Bertrand product and may have a maker's mark on the ring or suspension wreath reverse.

Excellent!! First one of these I've seen. Is it possible to trace the original owner and learn his history? .

Thanks for posting this interesting photo--Do you know the circumstances of the award of the Bulgarian St. Alexander Order to GdI V?lckers?

Exceptional! A wonderful find; and the condition is not at all bad considering how difficult and dangerous it must have been to try and keep/hide it! Your description of Bulgarian czarist police officer persecution following G. Dimitrov's return appears understated, if anything. Seem to remember that one of Kim Philby's swarmy reports details severe punishments and exile for even ordinary patrolmen as the entire organization was "implicated" in the "targeting" of persons associated with G. Dimitrov & associates. Guess that's what happens when your folk blow up a cathedral or try to wack the czar!

The last two on the bar appear to be a Bulgarian Military Merit Order and an Ottoman Medjidjie Order. Cannot determine the class of either.

I do not have access to images of a grand cross set. Except for the ribbon, most grand cross insignia is similar to your set with stars being 85-95 mm wide and badges [including crown] 100-110 mm tall and 65-70 mm wide. Sashes are 100-105 mm. wide. McNamara's collar set star's body was gilt and so was a Medina marked 85 mm wide star. I believe McNamara's collar was composed of white enameled miniature size order crosses alternating with gilt crowns connected via small gilt chains. A regular grand cross badge with crown was attached to the collar.

Short answer---no. In the late 1970s, the ANS library had a copy of the order's 1903 or 1906 [Latin] statutes. The document listed 5 'regulation' grades. These were grand cross, grand commander {insignia like yours], commander, officer, and knight all with the typical insignia associated with these ranks. Over the years, the statutes were amended and translated into various national languages several times. Spanish language statutes have been offered on eBay--don't know if they related to the Spanish or Latin American branches of the Order. I am not sure, but insignia variations seem to suggest that there are more grades now, maybe depending on national branch or langue. In the mid-1990s, Bob McNamara had a set of collar, badge and star set in his collection that appeared to be of French manufacture. French insignia uses a black ribbon, presumably to avoid confusion with the Legion of Honor. I have seen several medals with the central device of your badge and star on red ribbons. There may have been [be] unenameled except for the centers [possibly donat's insignia?] associated with this Order. Kai Meyer 's collection contained such insignia but whether they were actual awards or unfinished pieces is a mystery. Insignia with maker's plates or marks exists, those seen to date: Italy--Gardino, Johnson, Cravanzola; France--Bacqueville, Halley; Spain--Celavjo; Portugal---Medina, da Costa. I am not sure but perhaps remember seeing a Rothe [Vienna] made Grand Cross set and a La Royale [Rio] marked star. I'd guess that maybe about 1/2-1/3 of the stars have makers marks. Most insignia appears similar in design and execution to yours but Spanish or Portugese [?] made crosses sometimes have more rounded or sharper angles and larger centers. Some stars, again Spanish or Portugese?, have larger centers. Some commander badges, yet again, likely Spanish, hang from braided cords rather than cravat ribbons. Some badges do not have suspension crowns. These varients may signify national usage, manufacturer short-cuts, or sub-grades. Cases are usually red leatherette, sometimes with the jeweler's name on the inside lid, sometimes with the center of Order of our Lady of Mercy insignia embossed in gilt on the outer lid.

Yes, this is the Order of our Lady of Mercy which supposedly traces itself back to 1218 or so. The order still exists in a semi-official relationship with the Catholic Church. It seems most active in Spain, Portugal and Italy. Some branches exist in South America. There are a couple of web sites that detail the order's history & activities--e.g. saints.sqpn.com/ncd06138.htm As to price that depends on what a willing buyer would pay--the prices listed by our dealer colleagues seem a bit high, but perhaps I'm out of touch. A Spanish type commander's badge sold on eBay recently for 100 euros.

Womderful and extremely nice condition! Congratulations!!.