new world

I think they made boxes for only one award because it's time consuming and expensive to replicate stamp for name, cypher and swords, and they simply wanted to test the market to see if they can sell enough to recover their investment. 

Considering that they stopped with Saint Alexander it's safe to assume it wasn't a profitable project.

More of the fake boxes, similar to the ones posted earlier:

Here's something different, I had a chance to inspect it in person, bright red material - similar in color to original boxes, but different smoother texture

There were repro boxes for lower classes too - I saw some for sale few years ago, there were of low quality - basic communist era style box with crude gold print on the lid, nothing near the quality of high class boxes. I need to see if I can find photos.

On 12/01/2023 at 20:11, Graf said:

Here is the  replacement box

Here's another set with reproduction box of same style

svapr, your award is original.

It's from post-Monarchy period, so called Republican issue. Royal lion was replaced with one without crown and national flag colors were used instead of Ferdinand's logo.

Your example is likely 4th class and is quite rare, as these were awarded for only 1-2 years.

It's real, nice example in a case!

About Bulgarian document - it's a scarce Prince Ferdinand period award document, with fancy paper seal. These are rarely seen for sale. 

Star looks original gold one. 

Found an answer to why he's listed as a writer:

"G also published a small book about Bulgaria and a statistical compilation about Sweden's industries in the 1890s, as well as appearing in foreign magazines, mainly with a series of articles about Scandinavian printers in The British printer."

That's why he received this Bulgarian award - for writing a book about their country.

9 minutes ago, JohanH said:

If the document say Sven it must be a spelling error. His name was Even. 

Sven is a common Scandinavian name, someone in awards office made this easy mistake.

Great document to a famous person! Congrats to new owner!

Mostly correct, except for his occupation, which is listed as "Writer in Stokholm" on the document.

However, google points to several articles which list him as an industrialist:

https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Even_Christian_Gjestvang

https://sok.riksarkivet.se/sbl/Mobil/Artikel/13085

His business was printing machines and book printers, perhaps people in Bulgarian awards department got him confused with a writer.  

On 30/07/2022 at 18:12, Graf said:

Still not a sign of this strange Officer on the seller site

Perhaps we will see it offered by a different dealer?

I second the notion about sellers paying some sort of a nominal fee, say 1%, which is way lower than fees on eBay and other platforms.

As for other proposals - IMHO all should be implemented, hopefully together they will generate enough proceeds to cover the costs. 

I would be surprised if anyone buys this award for such price.

My guess is this is some sort of consignment item and after it's not sold it will go back to the owner.

Hard to tell from the photos if this award was made this way or Tsar crown was replaced with Prince one. To be sure need to see this cross in person.

Anyway, listed by a well known dealer for multiples of what these crosses sell for.  

Dealer description:

(Национален орден за военна заслуга). Instituted in 1900. Multi-piece construction, in bronze gilt with red, white and green enamels, unmarked, extremely rare as the cross is surmounted by the Princely Crown; only a few such crosses were manufactured, measuring 50.8 mm (w) x 76 mm (h) inclusive of its princely crown suspension, very light contact, large rosette affixed to its original triangular ribbon with hook and eye, extremely fine. Cross in the top condition, and of highest rarity. 

11 hours ago, Ura87 said:

Це герб роду Острозьких:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ostrogski_coat_of_arms

 

Coat of arms of Polish family on a Ukrainian medal - why?

Some members of this family served Russian tsars, how does this fact agree with anti-Russian direction of Ukraine politics?

" on 18 October 1506 Ostrogski pledged his allegiance to the Grand Prince of Moscow Vasili III as a boyar,"

I think have a group to a Romanian officer, who had a Royal award and continued to serve during People Republic period. I recall his Royal award was listed in his early Socialist period officer document.  

17 hours ago, BlackcowboyBS said:

I found this photo of the cross for courage and a photo showing President Selensky awarding such a cross to a nurse in a hospital.

Cross for Courage is not listed as part of photo new awards system. Does it mean it's discontinued?

That symbol in the center - what does it mean?

On 15/02/2022 at 03:04, Graf said:

Who is this VIP

 

he has some Russian, French, Serbian and Montenegrian awards. Perhaps a diplomat?

For Bravery set - is it possible they posted incorrect measurements? In that case neck ribbon would be appropriate for 1st call. 

The awards look somehow OK on these low resolution photos, it's possible they are real (but a mismatch nevertheless) or assembled using some real parts. However, anyone bidding any serous money would like to see more detailed photos.

Anyway, considering the reputation of this seller I would strongly advise against bidding on any items they offer.    

Is there 1915 year on the lower arm of the cross?

On 20/01/2022 at 07:48, Graf said:

Fake Star of Hero of People's Republic of Bulgaria

The seller is honest to states it is Replica, however he/she/it did not specify more

You can see the poor quality of the Star which is cast especially the reverse

Poor quality of the text 

 

The official Replica or "wearer: copy is made of heavily gilded basic metal, however the quality is nearly as good as the original Star

 

Here is an original Star to compare with the fake

 

 

 

It will be hard to fool most collectors with these low quality copies.

I think these were supposed to be copies of daily wearer versions, made to the same standards,  but from non-precious metal. They had R stamped on reverse. 

On 05/12/2021 at 13:27, Igor Ostapenko said:

star and cross of order St. Alexander 2nd class from Kretly now for sale ( Drouot ) 

Sold for 2800 Euros + 27% auction premium

Well, yes this photo could lead somewhere, but you also have to keep in mind that members of royal family had means to have any type of a ribbon made specifically for them. Just because a princes wore something in certain fashion does not mean it was a common practice.

I would focus my efforts on finding examples for wearing such crosses by people outside of royal family and high nobility.

Quote

Igor, just because these awards were sold by the same dealer does not mean they belonged to the same person. I am not sure how these medals are connected, I see no mention of it in the listings.