922F

Hi Ricky,

Could you suggest a comprehensive written study of this Order? Many people have told me that a green enamel insert within the surmounting crown is the chief difference between the Grand Cross and Grand Dignitary star. I always questioned that and/or the idea that different size insignia equaled different classes. I would appreciate your guidance on these questions. Cheers, 922F

This medal commemorates Boris' and Giovanna's 1930 marriage (obviously!). Bulgarian royality websites fully describe the ceremony [date, venue & c]. R. Campi designed the medal and it likely was struck by an Italian firm. Cast versions have also been reported--these generally lack Campi's signature. It is seen in 3 different metals (bronze, silver and silver gilt); a few examples have royal Bulgarian 2nd type crown suspensions in the appropriate metal. These crowns appear to be taken from Bulgarian merit medals and added by persons unknown. The medal diameter is 28 mm or so making it noticably smaller than Bulgarian official medals.

Ribbons usually seen with this are a equal width Bulgar green/white/red tricolor or a vertically half green-half red ribbon with a central narrow white stripe. Sometimes these medals have safey-pins attached to the suspension, suggesting there was no ribbon.

It is NOT listed anywhere as either an official Bulgarian or Italian medal but one known Bulgarian group includes a silver example among other official awards, including an Italian Crown Order knight. Prince Romanoff describes this medal in his Bulgarian book; he attributes the 2nd ribbon described above to it. Denkov pictures it but I do not recall if he mentions a ribbon.

Value.....hard to say. A couple of Bulgarian vendors offer these at prices for $20 to $100.

Many unofficial Bulgarian medals exist from 1880 on--including various Plodiv fair medals. Apparently some people bought these and added them to their groups.

Terrific bar!!! An aspect perhaps worth exploring--as Ed reports in his http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=14945 post, Gardino of Rome made much 2nd type Orden de la Mehdauia {Mehdi} insignia, including collars. Plaques or stars usually bear Gardino's maker plate but badges often have Italian silver fineness punch marks (and sometimes a maker punch) on the reverse suspension ball or ribbon ring. Several Spanish jewelers (including Medina?) also made this insignia. The question of whether the appearance of crescents/stars in the badge points vs. floriated designs there actually means anything appears unresolved. (Some opine it's just a jeweller choice, others a change from/in the original or 1936 or 1945-6 regulations. Most Gardino pieces have the crescents/stars.)

Maybe the best easily accessible non-net source on this Order is de la Punte's Condecoraciones Espanoles. Although what one may term a Spanish colonial order, Halifia {Caliph} Muley apparently made awards on his own say-so, not always to his Spanish protectors' liking. Order records were kept in the Diplomatic Cabinet (office) of the High Commissariat and Muley's Grand Vizir offices. Thus, records may be available in Madrid or Teutan.

Hugh--

Thanks agin for this wonderful information and illos!!

Wing Commander O'Toole, besides many other works, wrote a "Medal Collector" article on Sarawak awards in the 1960s. I don't have access to that now but believe the Star Order originated in 1928 and had the old or first type insignia from then until 1946. If I remember correctly, another iteration of the Star of Sarwak insignia existed from 1970-83 and a further insignia change ran from 1983-88 when yet another version apparently appeared. Right now, the Liverpool Medals site displays a ladies 5th class of what may be the 1970-83 type. I remember that a KL ex-pat bar, maybe near the new Regent Hotel, had a couple of cases of awards displayed in the late 1990s.

Didn't the Order of the Star of Hornbill first come into being in the 1973 regulations?

PS "kerfuffle" has serious connations in some circles!!!

Nice to have this all in one place again, Ed!! Thank you!!!

I know your views on "exile awards" but for completeness would note 1970s Iraqi Royalist grants of the al Rafadhain and Faisal I Orders. These not by the usually accepted potential pretender Prince Ra'ad ( Prince Ziad's son) or "Sharif Ali" but by Razi Faisal (purported oldest son of Prince Ziad) out of London and Tehran. At one time I heard that "Sharif Ali" planned to dish out Orders but no confirmation he ever did.

He has the same blank look as Ted Knight in his role of Ted Baxter on the old Mary Tyler Moore show. He looks like he is prepared to say something totally off the wall and meaningless...

And, often, so he was!! Looks like his Order of Malta badge at his neck in the 2nd photo--lots of internet links on the "conspiracy theory" regarding that Order c.f. searches for

1. Baron Franz Joseph Hermann Michael Maria von Papen - Politician who Helped Adolf Hitler to power; Reichskonkordat Negotiator
2. General Reinhard Gehlen - Nazi Chief of Intelligence over Russia; Head of Gehlen Org; Head of BND

It is likely the upper star in the 2nd photo is that of the Hungarian Regency Order of Merit--von Papen held a number of awards from "friendly' countries including Hungary, Romania & Bulgaria--do not know whether he got anything from Croatia or Slovakia but would not be surprised if he did.

Hi Unfortunately no picture attached

regards

Alex K

Alex, This remark referred to Theodor's picture of Bulgarian pilots posted earlier

Very nice! Here is one from me - the Balkans are ready to meet the "Fortresses" in the winter of 1943/44

Very nice to see Bulgarian fliers!!

aha! the old switcheroo!

well, i guess if anyone is looking for a cuban case...i just might have one for trade towards a comparable item!

p.s. thank you very much, 922F!

You are welcome. It's hard to gauge demand for pre-Castro Cuban cases -- a few well-heeled specialist collectors certainly exist. If the case has gilt Cuban arms on the outer lid, you likely have a winner. A,V & R supplied the Cuban Merit or Red Cross Order, the Order of Carlos Manuel de Cespedes and some ministerial Orders in burgandy colored cases. Jeff Jacobs' book documents the firm's name changes.

This appears to be a case switch; that is a badge placed in a "found" case. AV & R of Havana consistently produced much higher quality insignia. It is unclear when they went out of business/stopped manufacture.

The Austrian Merit badge itself looks to be a typical (1970s-80s?) period piece. The hook and eye cravat fasterners are neither a Cuban nor Austrian type.

Wonderful piece!! A treasure!!! Very nice condition too.

Besides the Stalins book, a 1960s Medal Collector has a feature article on this award in English and several 1960s-70s Sabretache articles discuss this order in French. At one time the Museum of the Legion of Honor (Paris) published a catalog of an exhibition on this order.

Ever read the famous story by Pushkin about the Mayor of a small town's medal lust for the order of the Sun...and later the Order of a St. Sava?

They were handed out by Consuls in the 1890s-1900s quite easily.

Yash translated Pushkin's short story in a 1960s-70s Medal Collector; have otherwise only seen it in English in a 1950s paperback Penguin collection. It's well worth reading, not only for ordens-lust insights.