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Pink & White....sure looks like a Brazil Imperial Order of the Rose but maybe here representing a Hesse-Darmstadt award c. f. Distinguished Service Kriegsehrenzeichen 1916-18, War Aid medal, Ehrenzeichen für Kriegsfürsorge 1916-18, Military Medical Cross (Militär-Sanitäts-Kreuz--metallic silver stripes), 1914 or Long Service Award. All have a darker red color value and slightly different proportions. Another German State possibility escapes recollection for the moment.

Hello New World, I reviewed the one photo I have of Tudor Petrov and could not be sure if he was my man. Do not have a photo of Professor Pavlov. Probably the apartment location will be key to identifying him. After my first visit to Bulgaria in 1979, I often had 'minders' intermittently keeping track of me. After 5-6 visits, they knew my routine and usual activities. This did result in no longer meeting some in their homes but always in public places, parks, bars... I visited only two people in their apartments regularly over the years. I'm sure that the gentleman I visited most often had excellent connections/protection, not only due to the apartment and collection. He definitely had access to top level privileges. Maybe because I was a foreigner he felt able to display his collection [and sell a few things]? I suspect, even not being overly paranoid, that any Bulgarians I had contact with sometimes 3 times a year over almost 20 years [1979-1999] could expect DS interest. Someone who would be 'allowed' to see me at home must have had strong political social connections. Certainly some members of the Club and some antique dealers were obviously looking for foreigners, especially Germans. I do not speak German but would constantly be addressed in German. And this by the same people over 6-8 years!

Thank you New World for all of this fascinating information! The apartment I visited was not down by the Russian Church but near the Palace of Culture Park, maybe 3 blocks northeast from the Park. The building architecture was somewhat similar but maybe 5-6 stories tall with at least one small one bedroom apartment on the roof. Entry was in the middle of the front facade of the building. It was on the right side of the street, most likely on Bvd. Skobelev, as you face the park. There were a large number of filled bookshelves in main apartment rooms that I saw. I recall there were a number of art works on the walls but didn't pay attention to them. The main room upstairs was quite full of cabinets and boxes. Cases on the wall displayed decorations, mainly Socialist awards and Military Bravery crosses. I well remember among other treasures kept in cabinets a large cased Cyril & Methodius collar, a cased C & M set in the blue case with silver-gilt/enamel crown on lid [first year issued, supposedly] and a St. Alexander collar set with military badge & star. The gentleman had a large wooden desk that seemed as if it took about 1/4 of the room space and a very comfortable overstuffed chair for guests. In good weather, you could sit at a table out on the roof. He had silverware from one of the palaces, think with Ferdinand's monogram. We originally met at the Saturday Club for coins and medals off Tsar Boris I and Han Asparuh Streets. The apartment was a few blocks from the Club. I met a number of other collectors at Club; we sometimes went to the park by St. George's to discuss 'trades'. After several visits, some of them invited me to their homes, usually out in apartment blocks beyond the train station. The Club meeting moved to a different location near a large park some years later. From the news stories, [if it was Raynov] I wonder if the place I visited was one of his 'hideaways' or in someone else's name. That might explain why when I visited without meeting at Club first, I had to arrange an appointment by 'public' telephone in advance.

Thank you, Graf!!! I will continue searching for the obverse image of this star. I looked at images of Bogomil Raynov but just do not remember the face well enough. The man that I knew almost always smiled and was, as the French say, très très sympa. Raynov's expression in images found on the Internet appear quite dour. My acquaintance certainly had complete understanding of royal Bulgarian and foreign awards. His collection included any number of 'classic' European decorations in addition to the full range of Bulgarian material. There was a small staircase in his main apartment that led up to the upper one so one did not have to go outside. We drank Chateau d'Euxinograd wine which was extremely difficult to find in Sofia at the time. A sort of concierge who did not appear to be a typical guard attended the entry of the building; you had to have permission to enter. If someone knew Raynov's address and remembers the upper apartment, that might settle the matter. Cannot imagine many Bulgarians having such an arrangement in 1980!

Thanks to all. Graf, I appreciate your clarification regarding the sword hilt. I mentioned above a 1995 image of a reverse with round 'button' fitting. Found it but the picture dates from a visit to Sofia in 1980!!! The 'button' height was about 1.25 mm. Sorry, cannot find photo of obverse or the owner's name at present. Has anyone seen a definite genuine piece with such a button'? The owner had an enormous collection and lived on the top floor of a very exclusive building on what is now Boulevard General Mihail D. Skobelev or Boulevard Pencho Slaveykov maybe 3 blocks from the National Palace of Culture Park. [I'm not only confused about dates but locations too!] He had a small apartment on the roof of the building that housed his collection. He was about 55-60 years old in 1980, last visited him in 1987 or '88. Most likely, he either had very good connections in the government or was an official. He spoke English and French besides Bulgarian and Russian at least. Perhaps someone here remembers him?

Yes, thank you, New World

Thank you Graf! I am a bit surprized that the left sword hilt on the genuine piece has a stippled pattern rather that a knurled one. Is the reverse fastener a simple nut or a rivet type nut? I do not have mine to hand to compare. Somewhere I have an image made about 1995 of one with a rounded type fitting at the reverse center.

Somewhere here, if I remember correctly, there is a post describing fake first class 68 mm. Bravery Order stars. Wasn't the most obvious characteristic the reverse rivet fastener? I can't find that post could someone refer to it please?

Probably gold badge if relatively light weight, otherwise silver gilt with maybe gold centers. Gazzetta Ufficiale del Regno d'Italia N. 131 del 8 Giugno 1932 Sabelli ing. Emilio, capo ufficio progetti del Cantiere San Marco [Sabelli engineer Emilio, head of the projects office of the San Marco shipyard] Likely employed at Stabilimento Tecnico Triestino. Originally an Austro-Hungarian yard mainly building warships. Post WW I to Italian ownership building naval and commercial ships. Sabelli's award perhaps connected to 1932 launch of famous Italian liner SS Conte di Savoia.

Little information regarding Southern Sudanese awards seems available other than a few images and information snippets. President Salva Kiir Mayardit (in office since 2011 & First Vice President of Sudan, from 2005 to 2011) wears awards in two images shared below. [Besides Sudanese and Southern Sudanese decorations the President probably has received foreign honors.] His Stetson hat is a sort of personal emblem or trademark, stemming from a visit to the U.S.A., not a Southern Sudanese traditional Archetype. A news release indicates that President Kiir, the commander-in-chief of SSPDF– received medals on the recommendation of the 5th Command Council Conference held in Juba in 2016. The Chief of General Staff presented him with the Medal of National Heroism, Medal of Bravery, Medal of Independence, and medal of Long Service Conduct, the medal for Distinguished Military Service, Medal of Counter Insurgency and Medal of Combat Proficiency. The first image below may illustrate some of these awards. The second image pictures Kiir with domestic and foreign military officers. He wears a blue-white-blue sash similar to the Somali Order of the Leopard or the inactive Tadjoura/French Order Nichan el-Anouar. Last image depicts Kiir with veterans he decorated on 5 September 2017 with what appears to be simply a badge & sash. Unfortunately no info other than " President Kiir, who is also a core member of the SPLA rebellion, is awarding them medals for their heroism during the Liberation Struggle [1983-2005] at the military headquarters in Bilpam." Further news on this topic welcome!

Indeed, the most difficult to find--sincere congratulations!!!

Thank you for this information...perhaps his foreign awards resulted from coordinating investigations or teaching criminal justice matters or other international police cooperation matters. NCB Netherlands' history reveals much involvement in such matters.

The hallmark possibly would provide a date range depending on what it is. Judging by enamel work, maybe 1900-1930 manufacture. Suspension wreath type similar to Black Star of Benin dating to that period and used maybe as late as the early 1950's.

Examine hallmark on reverse suspension lug--that should reveal clues to source. Punch shape suggests possible Austrian or French manufacture. Look at ring as well for marks. Possibly made with struck motto rings & centers [or replacement centers] now simply displaying wear and oxidation. Champlevé work behind Gregory's head looks French. Not that the case necessarily was supplied with the decoration initially but it's general appearance looks to be of typical Bertrand, Bacqueville & similar origin. A fine example, in my opinion!

First image looks like Delhi Durbar Medal of 1911 which Haig held. 2nd so muddled could be Saxe Ernestine Order {HAH!}

Besides casting line and open ribbon suspension ring [which in fairness could be passed off as a replacement ring], details like facial hair lines & apparently muddy engraver's name. Medal attachment ring seems blundered too. Enlarged images would help in determination.

Thank you Herman -- was so excited to see the African related Orders on Mr. Buitendijkn's bar that my question about it was not couched in the best possible language. I apologize for what appears to be a very abrupt question. His Liberian African Redemption Order knight seems to be on a St. Olav ribbon--perhaps another example of the tailor making do with what was on hand...

Buitendijk likely served in or had strong connection to Africa. Have you any details on his career?

Note ball for ribbon ring. Most likely not Russian manufacture. Any hallmark, possibly under ball at top of cross obverse? Appears to be a French copy, possibly 1918-20's.

The useful table posted by Japan X provides a nearly complete guide to manufacturers & portrait styles. A number of references describe portraits associated with individual manufacturers, besides the one illustrated. The Order of Saint Sava, a paperback pamphlet published in January, 1971 by Philip Meyn Weber, is another though without colored illustrations. Some centers are hand-painted, some are hand embellished transfers, and late ones may be transfers

You are most certainly welcome. Many have benefited from your posts so a pleasure to 'repay' somewhat.

Arms displayed on Papal award case lids usually indicate Pope reigning when award granted. Arms on this case lid belong to Benedict XV (Giacomo della Chiesa, 1914-1922). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papal_armorial seems useful in identify Papal arms. Tanfani and Bertarelli marked their products with letters that indicate metals used. Capital "A" means silver [as on your badge wreath] and capital "O" means gold. Sometimes crosses may be gold and suspensions silver and quite rarely vice versa. Sectional crosses, as your's seems to be, often are gold. Look closely at enamel damage on the reverse central medallion. Examination may reveal whether underlying metal is silver gilt or gold.

Bob, You struck it rich!! Congratulations

Beautiful groups!!

Most likely would be Russo-Japanese War Commemorative Medal - ribbon to indistinct to confirm. Japan awarded 'Honorary' campaign medals for that conflict to both Japanese subjects and foreigners as reported elsewhere in these pages.