new world

Unusual star of St Alexander - rays have diamond cut finish instead of being smooth.

Seller says it's 90 mm, which is 1st class size. No maker's marks.

Any opinions on what this star is?

Professor Petko Pavlov passed away. 

He was well known scientist, awards enthusiast and researcher. Many of you know him as author of the most complete and famous catalog on Bulgarian awards (1st and 2nd editions):

Besides this collector's bible, he also authored other books on Bulgarian awards and badges.

His work contributed greatly to research, categorization and popularization of Bulgarian Royal and Communist period awards. He was frequently mentioned in the posts on this forum. 

His authographed books

 

https://www.emedals.com/auctions/bulgaria-kingdom-a-military-order-of-bravery-knight-grand-officer-c-1900

Bulgaria, Kingdom. A Military Order of Bravery, Knight Grand Officer, c.1900

(Военна ордена на смелостта, Гранд Крос). Instituted in 1880. Type II. A white enameled Maltese cross with crossed swords, obverse centre with crowned Bulgarian lion on red enamel, green enamel surround, reverse centre with cipher of Price Alexander of Battenberg on a red enameled backing, green enamel surround with 1879 date, measuring 58.5 mm (w) x 85.5 mm (h - inclusive of its crown suspension), intact enamels, extremely fine.

 

sold for $3420 ($2851 sale price + 20% buyer premium)

Igor,

Thank you for the photos, but these are for Military Merit order and there were no questions that it had tsar crown from the inception (before 1908).

Interesting photo, another example that shows that Civil Merit orders were awarded with Tsar crown before 1908. 

I'll have to look at my star with swords, in the meantime here's correct one from dealer listing.

As you can see, the swords are as they should be and there's a rivet attaching them to the star.

IMHO the star is not legit.

It is real star, however the swords and how they are attached don't look right to me. Most likely swords were added later.

This type with swords on top is very rare and would cost significantly more compared to common plain stars, so economically it makes sense to buy swords, attach them to the star and double your money.

that's correct, making hard enamel is elaborate process and most fakers can't do it. Checking enamel should be first thing you do when considering awards. 

I recall we already discussed this one, with fake engraving and serial (?) number.

On 3/12/2018 at 07:44, Graf said:

Hi New World

 

The Star from posts 202 and 203 is for sale again on eBay as "100% Original'

 

Asking Price 850$

I talked to the seller and informed him that the star is fake, told him about soft enamels. He still insists it's original and unfortunately is still for sale...

3500 Euro

Pilot badge look very suspect, they both have gray substance on the reverse instead of clean smooth finish of real badges.

real badge for comparison

I completely forgot about this star we discussed earlier!

Engraving is certainly done by the same person, it's identical style and font.

Stamped numbers look the same, they are almost consecutive and are off by only 4 digits (1140 vs 1144).

Problem is that we had some major concerns about legitimacy of Mil Merit star, which puts this St Alexander star in question as well. 

Take a look at this star 1st class with swords.

The star itself looks legitimate (despite some enamel damage), however engravings and stamps on the back are very unusual.

Engraving suggests German connection (German recipient?).

Stamped numbers could be inventory numbers from a museum...

What do you think?

22 hours ago, ilieff said:

The King in hussar uniform.

Note the Constantinian order of St. George with the 'Bulgarian' type of jewelled crown - something we discussed in another thread.

Hussar uniform he's wearing in this photo was recently for sale:

This set is till for sale, it appears interest in modern Bulgarian awards is just too low.

Highly decorated Soviet Admiral Holostyakov, wearing two Bulgarian transitional Republican period awards:

1. Order of Military Merit 2nd class with war distinction (cross on the left and star on the right side),

2. Order of Military Merit 3rd class (cross on the left side). 

Pilot badge miniature

I agree with 922F - award on the bottom is not Legion of Honor.

My first thought was same as Graf's, however I've noticed that wreath on top is different and ribbon is not solid red color. 

6 hours ago, ilieff said:

...I did not know that corporate entities could be awarded with orders, too. Or... perhaps  these include the personal decorations of the director himself. Opinions? ...

Absolutely yes, corporations were awarded as well.

I have an award document from Tsarist period on award to a Factory.

hi Vazov,

I am not convinced these these are photos of actual items.

If you compare central medallions - they look identical, in fact they look like the same medallion (see reflections, shades, lion - exactly the same). 

I think these photos were created with Photoshop.

From Petrov's book

Supposedly rare tanker badge from 1944-45, made by converting German badge. 

Seller includes article form book by Todor Petrov, shield on his badge looks quite different though. 

Most likely modern conversion, attempt to transform common inexpensive German badge into something rare and significantly increase the price. 

17 hours ago, ilieff said:

More fake Military merit orders

This one looks to have been made from scratch (perhaps a small portion of the parts of the cross might be genuine) and I must say that I am impressed (and worried).

https://balkan.auction/en/auction/3910876/royal-order-for-merit-merit-iii-degree-borisovo-issue

How are enamels - hot or cold? 

6 hours ago, Igor Ostapenko said:

Thank you, Graf  

but in this case - order with box come from Italian family 

You can't know for sure, a lot could have happened over the past 100+ years since this was awarded.