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Wow, a documented Hero set!

This is truly amazing story! Thanks for sharing!

Do you have photos of this non-gold 1st class?

Is it real?

I wish there would be good way to tell real gold grade awards from conversions.

I wish it would be in Bulgarian...I can't read French

Original Statute of Order of St Alexander from 1896. 25 x 19cm, 23 pages

here's good large photo of the star

That's interesting information, I never heard it before. You are talking about St Alexander 1st class cross we discussed in May, correct? Do you have photos of such display?

This looks like correct case for beginning of 20th century Military Merit award, Type 1 - Prince Ferdinand emission. I see Schwerdtner mark inside the case and there should be Bulgarian coat of arms with Princely crown on the top of the box.

It would be interesting to perform enamel test on this C&M cross.

Thee only cleaning method that I use if soft brush with mild soap and warm water. This will get rid of the dirt, but patina will stay intact.

I would leave it alone, patina adds character.

Unfortunately we don't have specific info about the manufacturers of this type. This discussion should be moved away from fakes thread.

Wow, that's an awesome story! It's very cool how regular award became so significant from historical prospective. I thought it was odd that Ferdinand wore decoration without any diamonds. Thanks for sharing with us! Have you see this set in person? I am curious about the maker and what it says inside the box. I don't think it Schwerdtner, as most of the sets. The box itself looks different - rounded front, not rectangular as the ones I saw from that period.

Form what I was able to find on the web - there are at least four examples of this type: 1. Kunker auction, Fall 2014, sold for 8,000 Euro plus commission. Set from Estonian museum looks like the one sold at Kunker 2. Schulman auction, July 2015, sold for 6,500 Euro plus commission. Order of Saints Cyril and Methodius , BULGARIA Set grand cross, with breaststar, badge and sash. Werlich 196 and 197.AR gilt 78.5 and 59.8 mm Nearly mint Judging by patina on the star and connecting loop - this is not the same set as the one sold at Kunker in 2014. 3. Cross from Graf's post #171, sold at either Morton Eden or Spink Heavily patinated and worn cross 4. Cross from Liverpool Medals, Oct 2017, sold for 2,995 GBP I can't be 100% sure, but looking at the patina pattern at the cross this is not same cross sold at Kunker or Schulman auctions. So far we have four crosses of the same type, so clearly this is not a fake as Graf stated in post 171. Considering what Prof Pavlov said in his book and above 4 examples - this could be considered Type 3 of the C&M order.

In 2013 there was an exhibition in Tyrnovo, where Bulgarian independence was announced on September 22, 1908. They had some of Ferdinand's awards. According to the exhibit this was actual set of Military Merit 1st class worn by Ferdinand at the ceremony on that important day.

The above award is from the museum of in Estonia: Order of Saints Equal to Apostles Cyril and Methodius, star, 1920-1930. Kingdom of Bulgaria. The exhibition of the Tallinn Museum of Orders of Knighthood, Estonia. http://www.tallinnmuseum.com/home.html Recent discussion we had on this type:

hello Graf, Professor Pavlov thinks this variation of the cross is legitimate, he describes them in latest edition of his book. As you can see - there was more than one example of this same type through the years. I also see that back in 2010 Kuenker sold similar type, but with red enameled reverse medallion (item 8252). Here's exactly the same type as sold by the dealer, on the sash and in worn condition. and the star that goes with the cross.

Very impressive!

Great comparison, many thanks!

Impressive! Where are his awards today? I hope they are in some museum in Bulgaria.

eBay status is 'Best offer accepted', so unfortunately someone bought it.

About the diamond version of the Ferdinand accession award - we don't know if this was official award or privately made one. I wish there would be more information in the books. Extra rare piece, seen for the 1st time!

German WW2 medal bar with document for Soldier Bravery 4th class, type 1915, awarded in 1942.