922F

Thank you for this discussion of a relatively overlooked [sometimes even in France] and generally underappreciated award.

Responding to your query 'Can anyone tell me what the thin blue, white and red band attached to the third medal is for..??' -- this is an indication of the award designed to be worn on/in the lapel of a jacket or coat. The thin metal underlayment can be bent around the lapel edge & then sharp point inserted into the lapel material to keep the thing in place. Usually, this style represents the 20 year medal. It is possible to find lapel rosettes as well; sometimes these will have indicia for higher levels [simple laurel branch or wreath] of the medals centered on the rosette.

Similarly, the corresponding Belgian series of long service awards are often ignored by collectors but offer a fascinating and relatively cheap hobby opportunity with many varients of both physical decorations and bestowal documents available. Lapel devices also exist for the Belgian awards.

Here is the ribbon bar of Ali Saibou, President of Niger from 1987-1993. His first ribbon is the National Order of Niger (Ordre national du Niger), and the second ribbon is the same as Salou Djibo's 4th one. It looks like the device may be a palm.

The rest, starting with the West German Bundesverdienstkreuz in third place (grade: Großes Verdienstkreuz mit Stern), are foreign awards.

The first two on the second row may be the French Legion of Honor and National Order of Merit. Not sure about the third---appears red bordered white or yellow If white border, maybe O. Prince Rwagasore [burundi].

The first one on the third row is the National Order of Mali. Next might be the National Order of Benin, but I'm not sure----Benin N.O. ribbon claret with central stripe red bordered green bordered yellow. As this appears solid green, perhaps, Lion [senegal]. The third one looks like the National Order of Vietnam, but that would make no sense, so it is probably another African order. ---Likely St. Gregory [Vatican]

The single yellow ribbon on the third row appears to be the Order of Cameroonian Merit (Ordre du Mérite Camerounais).

Thanks for posting this image--we seldom see such

Medal Name:Order of San Aleksandr,Komandör rank.I. Ferdinand

Date of issue:23.03.1915

Perhaps A Bulgarian St. Alexander Order 2nd class [one imaged below of swords on ring variety--for military merit not in direct combat support***also existed without swords--for general merit-- and with swords through cross center--for military merit in combat or in direct combat support].

Or perhaps a Bulgarian St. Alexander Order commander [3rd class imaged below in general merit/civil variety--without swords--and in the swords through cross center type--for military merit in combat or in direct combat support].

Images from various sources including dealers offerings and individual collections over the past 10 years, reproduced for review/informational purposes only

Yes, the image depicts two different Orders' insignia--one with ribbon is a Bene Meriti [aka Order of Merit] and other [pinback] is a Romanian Hohenzollern. As to grades, solid references exist but are not to hand. If memory serves, the Bene Meriti is probably a civil commander class and the Hohenzollern probably a 2nd class honor cross.

Sometime ago in a thread I cannot retrieve, members discussed awards made by King Carol II of Romania while he lived in Portugal and Spain in exile. Folklore and old reports opine that Carol awarded the Orders of the Crown, Star, Bene Meriti, and Romanian Hohenzollern while in exile. A purported Carol offspring continued [s?] some such awards after Carol died.

The thread included speculation regarding insignia manufacture with leading contenders being da Costa of Lisbon and Celjavo of Madrid. EBay lot 130616822935 seems to confirm that da Costa made some insignia and provides, among others, the image below.

And today, we learn of the death of Leka on November 30, 2011.

Albania mourns the passing of Leka I, the only son of its last King, Zog I. He died Wednesday morning in Tirana’s Mother Teresa Hospital, an announcement from the Royal Court said. Leka I Zogu was 72 years old.

According to the Associated Press Albanian health minister Petrit Vasili said that "his Highness passed away after repeated cardiac arrests which the medical staff made the utmost to cope with, but couldn't."

The government has proclaimed a national day of mourning for Saturday, the day of the funeral. The self proclaimed King of the Albanians is survived by his son Leka II.

Sorry for my delayed reply, have been away for a while. There's a discussion of King Peter's Order within the Order of St. John GMIC thread. Among others, The White Cross [a book published in the late '60s-early'70s] describes the King Peter organizations from a favorable viewpoint. The ANS library in New York has a copy of The White Cross; it may still be available to borrow. Dissenting views on such Orders' 'validity' are elsewhere, perhaps most available online at Calthrop's Corner and Guy Stair-Sainty's websites. A couple of the surviving Orders of Malta claiming descent from Peter's group have websites showing this insignia design. Try Googling Sovereign Order of St. John - King Peter. Peter's son, Alexander, terminated association with these orders in the 1970s when he accepted an honor from the Rome Order.

Your star was most likely made in the past 10-15 years to present based on workmanship and the GUCCIONI maker's plaque format. My references [Cardinale, Cartone, and the SMOM website] indicate that this design star is not a SMOM insignia. Many websites discuss Order of Malta varients; often organizations deriving from King Peter of Yugoslavia related Malta Orders use this type of star insignia [a gilt crown above the cross]. Value is hard to determine, check dealer lists, ebay & similar sales.

G.GUCCIONI, as you probably know, 'manufactures' some of the current Italian national and Vatican decorations as well as insignia for some of Italy's former ruling families. I say 'manufactures' in quotes because some pieces are apparently subcontracted to other makers and some are made in house. Many GUCCIONI marked pieces are in 800 or 925 fine silver--cannot make out the mark on your star. A correspondent reported seeing San Marino St. Agatha Order stars as well as an 'ephemeral Order insignia' with GUCCIONI maker's plates/plaques too. GUCCIONI had a shop on Via del Orso in Rome [visited most recently last year] near CRAVANZOLA's retail shop. Contact info: Via del'Ors0 17, Roma, phone - 06 68307839; website www.guccionedecorazioni.com

["Realizziamo tutti gli Ordini Cavallereschi della Santa Sede, della Real Casa di Borbone-Due Sicilie, della Real Casa di Borbone-Parma, il Sovrano Militare Ordine di Malta, gli Ordini al Merito e al Merito Militare della Repubblica Italiana ed altri."]

Your piece looks like insignia for some Order of St. John or other. With the crown, maybe one of the King Peter of Yugoslavia origin Orders?

Sash badge suspension device seems to lack a Medjidie style star/crescent. It does not appear to be a Medjidie star affixed to a sash either. Odd he's not wearing his TM1 star. Detail visible on French ribbon suggests that Sash may lack [Medjidie] side stripe and is only one color. Perhaps it's a judge's or participant's sash from some exposition? If the suspension is a 5 or 6 point starburst---maybe it's a Persian Sun & Lion?

Valuable, highly useful resource-----Thank you for these links!!!

It appears that your first piece is a commander lacking a suspension crown. These appear on the maket from time to time. The second badge maybe had a crown added when crowns became statutory for officer insignia. Since it's a first type crown, perhaps the holder wanted to indicate officer status before the change. Removing the infulae would make it easier to attach the crown to the cross. It could also be a manufacturer trial piece. Pavlov and Denkov report that several jewelers in France and Austria, in addition to Russia manufactured first type Alexander insignia--later some German and Bulgarian makers supplied the insignia.

Pavlov, Denkov [in Bulgarian Orders and Decorations, 1998, 2003, & a just released edition], and Acovic [1973] identify suspension crown design changes for this order. Generally, what you call the French style crown is described as a Hessian crown. It's use stems from the iconography of Alexander of Batemburg's [Prince of Hesse] family. First type insignia always appears with this type of crown for classes with a suspension crown. The so-called Tsarist suspension crowns may have been used as early as 1900 for the St. Alexander Order though the more generally accepted date for their use is later, some say 1908, others 1912.

As an aside, Bulgarian Bravery Order [the country's first Order] insignia crown suspension always remained of the Hessian crown type.

Compare St. Alexander suspension crown evolution with the Bulgarian Civil Merit Order {actually National Order of Merit, later National Order of Merit, Civil Division} suspension crown change from the so-called 1900 Princely type to the Tsarist type in about 1908. The Bulgarian Military Merit Order {actually National Order of Merit, Military Division} always appears with the Tsarist type suspension crown -- this division was created in 1908. One example of a Military Merit commander with a Princely crown suspension exists in the Sofia Military Museum but it appears to have been altered from an original Schwertner-made badge.

Eng Leong of Singapore manufactured these awards in the 1990s and, perhaps, until today. Seem to recall that Spink had the original manufacture contract.

Great addition Noor!

Paul, what's the source stating this is a 5 class award? I've seen this claim repeated several times, maybe first in the mid-1960s in an article in either OMRS or OMSA journals, but it is incorrect. According to Bulgarian archive materials {cited for example by Pavlov [pp. 245-6, Bulgarian Orders and Medals, Sofia, 2002] and Petrov [pp. 173-5, Bulgarian Orders and Medals, Sofia, 2005]}, it has just 3 classes. Insignia is silver gilt with enamel centres for lst class, gilded metal for 2nd class and silvered metal for 3rd class. Various Bulgarian official publications of the period identify this item as a 'cross', a 'medal' and a 'memorial order'.

Bulgarian documents, according to Pavlov & Petrov among others, confirm first awards on 28 October 1889 [old style] and last awards in 1906 [new style]. Award rolls name 2,193 people presented with all 3 classes [699 lst class, 1019 2nd class and 475 3rd class]. Rothe made the insignia: exact production runs unknown. Apparently 2 types exist; differences include the number of cloves on the reverse side rue crown center. Some 2nd type, 2nd class pieces are silver-gilt complete with hallmarks----do not know whether any first type, 2nd class pieces are struck in silver. All 3rd class crosses seen to date are of silvered bronze. As late as 1990, Bulgarian archives held an unknown number of unissued pieces, some of which got onto the market. A few of these are in their original Rothe marked cases and some even have the original tissue paper protecting the cross!

A late-1970s Klenau auction offered a lst class badge set with diamonds on a ladies bow. A Bulgarian War Museum display included a gentleman's lst class badge set with diamonds in the early 1980s but that piece is no longer on display. These pieces most likely were Ferdinand's personal gifts to special people. Princess Augusta of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha or Princess Clementine of S-C-G [Ferdinand's mother] may have received a jeweled piece.

At one time [maybe the late 1960s-early 1970s?], a Charles Lusted catalog listed a silver cross with enamel center. On closer examination, this proved to be a very worn lst class badge.

A few suggestions:

Next time, have a local contact mail items from their local PO where, presumably, they habitually 'befriend' a clerk. Always insure such shipments when possible. Mark package souvenir--minimal value: that's what they are! Never use FedEx, UPS or similar.

Have a lst class hotel concierge (large tip--larger tip if you are not staying there) arrange for your bags' direct, pre-customs check-in and fly lst class (at least for lst flight leg out of country--many 'courtesies' usually extended to lst class travelers--and don't you deserve it anyway?).

Most difficult but undoubtedly most correct, prearrange/preclear material with appropriate Ministry (Justice, Administration, Patrimony--or whomever is responsible for 'antiquities or items of historic-cultural significance')--and obtain official written statement of goods' non-national, historical or other significance. Sometimes this requires a small fee. Your hotel concierge will assist with this and deserves a nice gratuity for their help.

NEVER attempt to gift, bribe or suborn airport customs officials.

Obviously, the method used varies depending on the economic and customary conditions in-country. In more than 45 years international travel most often in usually 'difficult' nations, these methods have never failed. Ethiopia specific, suggestions 2 (in Denge times) and 1 (last year) ensured no airport problems.

For Russia & Beylorus/Belarus, generally speaking, method 3 is now an almost absolute requirement.

Most often when things are confiscated for patrimony reasons, one should request a receipt specificing reason for confiscation. Then one has a basis for appealing decision through channels including your consulate or, if something really important is involved, local legal representation. Your embassy/consulate will provide an attorneys list. Discretion advised depending on circumstances--I once witnessed Christiana Annapour [a then well-known CNN correspondent] being first hasseled, then humiliated by a junior customs ranker in Khartoum. Only because a French consul happened to intervene did she escape detention. Needles to say her 'souvenirs' were taken, er, reserved for Sudanese patrimony. Cynics would say sold to the next sucker.

N.B. Mappin & Webb may have made Star Order insignia as early as the 1930s thru the mid-1950s {Jacob} and some report (Ethiopia Reaches her Hand to God?) the 1960s.

Agree this is an enlisted man's bar. Thus, Bulgarian ribbon probably represents an [unenameled] Military Bravery Order 4th [silver] or 6th [bronze] class 'bravery cross'; much less likely a Military Merit Order silver cross or even less likely, a Military Merit Order silver cross with crown on bravery ribbon.

922f

Thank you so very much for your reply it is always great to get members participation in posting to a thread. Back to the Iraqi Manufactured Order it is a 2 piece constructed front and reverse then welded together front and back. Not like the Bertrand Issue which is solid silver then enameled. The Iraqi Version looks hand painted with very cheap quality paint. If you look at some of the other medals from the 1991 Gulf war like the service medal for the Mother of all Battles the paint quality is that of the same to give you an idea. I have been seeing more and more of these type quality Military Orders in the Bazaars. If you are a collector of this Order it is always good to have one in your collection. I hope this gives you an answer that you are looking for look forward to your future replies.

Thank you

Lorenzo

Lorenzo, Thanks for the welcome information. Do you think that Iraqi-made pieces are still being manufactured, maybe for collectors? Some reports claim that the current government is awarding this order using Saddam type insignia. Any thoughts on that?

Hello Lorenzo,

Great images of the Iraqi-origin Rafidain pieces!! Are the components struck or cast? The enamel work looks to be 'hot' rather than 'cold' laid and of about equal quality to Bertrand's. Would it be possible to see the reverses?

What about the case? Is there an emblem on the lid or a maker's mark in the interior?

Any thoughts on whether the Iraqi supplier contracted out the actual manufacture? For a while in Sudan, for example, the government insisted that a 'national firm' supply decorations. A clever Sudanese got the contract but had insignia made in the Far East.

Sincere thanks for sharing this information and these terrific images!!

A breast badge [on an incorrect {?} light green ribbon] with design of your 2nd image appeared on eBay about 3-4 years ago. Maybe offered by a member from Brazil or Chile?

Burke's World Orders of Knighthood & Merit, citing a Bolivian government source, describes the Order insignia with the first image design. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Religion administers the Order, according to that source. Perhaps that circumstance accounts for a possible design change and the inscription?

Thank you for publishing this interesting material! This Order appears to be junior to the Order of the Condor of the Andes. Do you know if it is senior to the National Order of Simon Bolivar? What is the other piece the President wears from the small chain?

Great find Lorenzo!! After the '56 revolution, a couple of the photo-journals like Life had spreads on the palace wreckage showing lots of shattered china, crystal & furniture as well as defaced paintings. To find a surviving piece of china must be quite rare. A complete 'example' set of the palace crystal was [and may still be] on display at the Bacarrat crystal museum in Paris.

Most likely a French academic or artist originally held this excellent chainette of miniature orders. Surprizing there's no Legion of Honor. The pin arrangement confirms that the Academic Palmes is in the first position, not the Hessian Philip Order. Kretley, who supplied the case and likely the entire chainette, was a very popular Parisian jeweler & insignia manufacturer. Jacob's Court Jewelelrs of the World will provide dates Kretley was active [maybe 1870s-1920?].

Awards are: French Academic Palmes, French Agricultural Merit [officer or commander], Portugese Villa Vicosa, Tunisian Nicham Iftikhir, Italian Maurice & Lazurus [knight], Portugese [or much less likely Papal] Christ, Italian Crown, Saxe-Weimer White Falcon, Monaco St. Charles, Spanish Isabella the Catholic, Venezuelan Bolivar & Hessian Philip. Order grades in brackets determined by the specific insignia design. Hard to guess what grades the others represent.

Portugese Villa Vicosa last awarded as a state decoration in 1910.

You have a quite interesting and beautiful set of miniatures!

WOW... many thanks! That's just what the doctor ordered!!!! Great info and tells me tons more than I've known up to this point. This is one I picked up well over 25 years ago at a little militaria shop, not even knowing what it was but just that it looked neat and had the enamels I love. Can hardly believe they've risen so much but seeing as how even German Hindenburg Crosses have gone up, at least on some Ebay sales and dealer prices I guess anything is possible. I remember we used to pick up double court mounted bars of WW1 EK 2's and Hindenburg Crosses for like $12 to $15 each! Now... they go upwards of $100 to $150 on Ebay and it blows me away each time I see that.

The world turned upside down. But admittedly 20 to 25 years or so is a long time when it comes to prices and such. I remember when if you paid $1.00 for a paperback book it was a really thick one and that was pricey. Comic books ran .15 to .25 cents each... oh for the good old days!

Again thanks so much for this great info! I deeply appreciate your help on this!

Dan

You are certainly welcome. Besides inflation, another factor impacting prices in general is the growing availability of decent reference works enabling us to know what we have and to assess rarity/desirability. For Bulgaria, Pavlov and Dimitrov deserve special thanks. Many GMIC members have contributed to this ever-expanding knowledge base and merit thanks. Guess we must remember that in the days of the $100 Albert Order Grand Cross set [cased!], you were fortunate to make $10,000 a year!!

Yes, this is a 5th class Bulgarian kingdom type Order of St. Alexander with crown & swords-on-ring. Likely a 1930s Sofia-made, silvered base metal piece with a replacement ribbon. EBay sold prices are probably the best market price indicator. These sell there [when available] for anywhere from 100 euros/$130 to 175 euros/$225 or more. Dealers, in the face of stockage and other costs, list this type for up to 250 euros/$375 or more. Earlier made examples in actual silver achieve about 15-20% higher prices. Other varities, such as regency or republic types usually command higher prices.

Thank Dieter..

What's the little badge on the right pocket? An officer/academy badge?

Is it an Order from Manchukuo on his left pocket?

The star most likely represents a 2nd class Order of United Honor [AKA Order of United Glory or Order of Common Honor] award of the 1940-45 Chinese Nanking government. This grade comprises a star, badge & sash. The awarding entity is generally held to be a Japanese surrogate or puppet govnernment.