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    922F

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    Everything posted by 922F

    1. "HRH Prince David Bagration-Mukhrani" is wearing the "Order of Our Lord's Tunic" [see Gy Staiir-Sanity] below the senator star. Wonder what these cost? Plus, sure there're cartridges in the cossak pockets
    2. Wonderful collection, Thank you for sharing it with us!! I note that perhaps the Congress and some Brazilian states seem to have awards and there are a number of private societies with awards too. Are there reference materials on those types of decorations? Again, my thanks for your effort!!
    3. Gordon McGregor has researched German colonial troops [focusing on Southwest Africa] for years. He wrote German Medals, British Soldiers and the Kalahari Desert (2007) which includes a roll of 'en-bloc' imperial British forces recipients of the Southwest Africa Commemorative Medal [sWACM] for the (1907) Kalahari campaigns. That roll does not contain Ironside's name, but as Ironside apparently did not participate in the 1907 operations, that's no surprise. McGregor was working on a more general SWACM handbook in 2007. Possibly, he may now have discovered information relating to other 'individual' SWACM awards to British individuals for service in the earlier Bondelzwarts and Herero actions. McGregor's publisher [Namibia Scientific Society, P.O. Box 67. Windhoek Namibia -- nwg@iway.na] may be able to put you in touch with Gordon.
    4. OMSA ribbon bank has Belgian & Italian ribbon; check Belgian & Italian eBay for devices.
    5. I've a spare copy of Douglas Russell's THE ORDERS, DECORATONS AND MEDALS OF SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL. This is the 1990 ,6 X 9 inch, 104 page paperback edition containing short descriptions of his award circumstances, small black and white photos of most of the pieces, 2 color plates depicting six "foreign" orders, and 1 color plate of his medals. This copy is in great shape but has the name and address of the former owner stamped inside the front cover. Price $70 (Paypal or check) post paid book rate.
    6. Holger, I have been traveling and just saw your post. Terrific bar; could you show us the reverse, please?
    7. Douglas Russell authored a book entitled THE ORDERS, DECORATONS AND MEDALS OF SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL. I do not remember the publication date, perhaps in the 1980s. The OMSA (now amalgamated into the ANS) library formerly had a copy. This book illustrates Sir Winston's actual awards, save 4 or 5 that were returned to issuing authorities upon his death. The book contains pictures of examples of the returned awards. Most illustrations were in black and white. I believe Russell projected a second edition containing color plates illustrating all awards but do not know if it was ever published. Having the award list simplifies gathering illustrations via the internet in any case--Megan's site provides pictures of most if not all.
    8. Excellent piece in terrific condition!! Is this a recent find?
    9. Kai Meyer owned several of these stars which he bought from a Spanish jeweller and dealer in the 1950s-60s along with a series of Spanish Noble Association insigniae. Meyer didn't know exactly what they were but described them as scientific association awards, likely of a semi-private nature. Some had a gilt center; some a silver center. Meyer owned examples with red, blue, purple, and green enameled motto rings. No reason for differing metals or enamels could be definitely cited but probably relate to awards for varying types of scientific merit (consonent with Spanish usage at the time). The center device illustrates the motto "Science bringing light to the world". 1970s era Klenau auction catalogs offered such stars, most of them similar to the illustrated piece, listed in the Spanish section as scientific society pieces. De la Puente (1953, 1964) does not describe this award though he provides information on Spanish Noble Association regalia and Flangist party awards. If anyone has copies of the Meyer photos or Klenau catalogs, maybe they contain more information.
    10. James, King Kamehemeha III's star format (latest photo) looks more like the badge McNamara had than the painting depiction but suppose that's to be expected. However, I notice that the breast badge worn by King Kamehemeha IV (earlier posted photo) appears to have a crown suspension (McNamara's did not) and either a side-to-side striped ribbon or bars? When rereading my Oct 31 post, I see that I said I had copied the 1978 Medcalf book illustrations. Unfortunately, that is incorrect. I believe that the 1894 National Guard medal had a crown suspension but none of the others shown did--the photos were different sizes and not especially clear.
    11. James, Medcalf & Russell's Hawaiian medals list is useful in that it provides a bare bones outline but, like yourself, I find it unsatisfying. It could well be incomplete or inaccurate. Very likely, Medcalf didn't have any definite info so simply listed what he found. One might expect additional royal "event" commemorative medals, for example. Another perhaps obvious royal Hawaiian medallic incident/opportunity could be the "exploration-colonization" voyages to the South Pacific. I do not recall whether Medcalf & Russell discuss the Order of the Crown & Cross (but think I would have noted that). Perhaps someone with access to Medcalf's 1978 book could clarify? Either Gary Krug or Bill Koonce had an example of a supposed Crown & Cross badge that eventually got to Bob McNamara. The badge resembled a no crown type royal Order of Cambodia badge with more pronounced rays and a sunburst in the center. It was small, maybe 3 cm. wide & looked hand-made. The ribbon loop was not movable and fixed to the reverse--it had no ribbon. This description tracks with the color picture you posted. I did not see it in McNamara's collection after about 1992-3. G. Tammann bought a lot of Bob's stuff but there's no Hawaiian in the UBS catalog. McNamara told me that Medcalf owned a coin shop in Hawaii and ran across a stash of Hawaiian insignia while working in the basement of the royal palace in the 1960s. A nearby box had some of the order chancery records. These formed the basis for Medcalf's work. Since you know the Bishop museum, you've probably visited the palace. Formerly (thru early-mid '90s) there were several order insignia on display in the king's office and in the throne room. Don't know if they're still there but seem to remember a table medal amongst the display--maybe one of the agricultural society items. Cheers
    12. Donald Medcalf and Ronald Russell authored Hawaiian Money, published in 1978. This book includes descriptions of nine royal Hawaiian medals (pp. 89-90) and illustrates 4 of them. It is not clear if all were state awards or whether all could be worn officially. All apparently could be worn from ribbons. Royal Hawaiian Agricultural Society Medal 1850 King David Kalakaua election medal 1874 (diamond shape)--red, white, blue ribbon Royal Hawaiian Agricultural Society Medal 1882 King Kalakaua I coronation medal 1882 (crowned 9 [sic!] years after his election) Kalakaua & Kapiolani Medal 1884 for their 10th anniversary (presented & sold) King Kalakaua Jubilee medal 1886 blue ribbon (presented & sold) King Kalakaua I Jubilee medal 1886 different inscription (presented & sold) National Guard medal (royal) 1894 Holo Hana Cross No date-includes a fire chief trumpet 2 red, 2 yellow stripes. I transcribed this info from a copy of the book held in the OMSA library in the mid-1980s but did copy the illustrations. The book also illustrates royal Hawaiian Order insignia, provides a generally held to be accurate number of awards of each class of most Orders, and offers price estimates.
    13. Medcalf published 2 or 3 editions. One discusses medals....will try to find which & get back in a few days.
    14. Very nice and great condition. What types of bar pinbacks do you see most often? There seems to be at least a thin pin and a thick pin type.
    15. Try Werlich for photos. Merica and a couple of other generalist books show photos. Megan probably has some too. Gordon Medcalf (?) published a booklet containing illustrations and very complete info in the 1960s-70s. The OMSA library has a copy.
    16. Kevin, Kevin, Kevin......what did you have to do to get past the little old ladies so you could take those pictures!!!!????? Wonderful to see them tho!!!! THANKS!!!!
    17. This is a VERY NICE good one. Fakes made in Romania starting in 2004 and Bulgaria later. Agree with comments describing fakes, keep eye out for flawed reverse letter formation. Sometimes "ghost" letter surrounds present in fakes.
    18. Simply wonderful--always knew there were fantastic things hiding there.
    19. Amazing medal, couldn't be in better hands! Repeat visits pay off!! For those who don't know what Kawass (or Cavass) men are, they act as combination way clearers or honor escorts/guards employed (or, formerly, owned) by specific authorities from government officials to powerful families, from religious leaders to consular & diplomatic officers. This profession probably originated in pre-Ottoman or Ottoman days, when other methods of clearing paths through narrow, crowded streets were ineffective. Kawassmen used their batons and strength to clear the way. Kawass work/activity has largely died out ( among the Jerusalem consular corps in the mid 1970s, only the British and French consul generals still used them). The Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalam still has several. It is impressive to see them leading a procession through narrow Old City streets, usually with the Kawassman heading the procession followed by two honor guards then, depending on visitor rank, the guest flanked by either two or four honor guards. Two honor guards follow the guest. For senior guests, a junior Kawassman follows the guard procession. Kawassmen have staffs or batons (the length, up to about two meters, depends on visitor and Kwassman rank) which they hold vertically and slowly wave from side to side in an arc clearing the path. Traditionally, their processions have the right of way over everyone, including police. To honor important people the procession encounters, the lead Kawassman will either stop waving his staff or deviate slightly from the center of the road.
    20. Thank you for the information. Have seen only a few MilMerit pinbacks on uniforms with either grommets or thread loops. Thread loops more usual than grommets, similar to provisions for wearing stars. Again, a great item....did you find anything in the pockets? By the way, I saw similar belts on uniforms displayed in the old military museum in Sofia (ca. 1987).
    21. He's missing Nordic & Russian....bottom row 4 (a) seems to be a four arm ball-tipped cross perhaps a Swedish Vasa or North Star and 4 (b) maybe St. Stan. perhaps twisted & reversed. (Rick notes color shift with old photos and that one appears to be two tone value.) And where's his Portugese, maybe the 2nd position neck badge has 4 swallow-tail arms, so a Christ? If it's 5 arms....
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