Harvey

Actually, there are 7 Lenins - both type 5 and type 6. I have better close-ups of all of them, and (to my admittedly untrained eye) all appear genuine. Lowest serial # observed was 71207. Other badges include (L to R, top to bottom): MOROCCAN ORDER OF THE MOHAMMEDIYA (1st class), TURKISH GRAND CROSS OF MEDJIDIE, TURKISH ORDER OF MEDJIDIE (5th class), ROMANIAN ORDER OF THE CROWN (officer), TUNISIAN ORDER OF NATIONAL MERIT, SOVIET MOTHERHOOD MEDAL (1st class), FRENCH ORDER OF AGRICULTURAL MERIT (officer), SERBIAN ORDER OF ST. SAVA (grand officer), SERBIAN ORDER OF ST. SAVA (officer), NAZI IRON CROSS (2ND class?), IRANIAN ORDER OF THE CROWN (1st class), ITALIAN ORDER OF SAINTS MAURICE AND LAZARUS, ITALIAN ORDER OF THE CROWN (commander), 7 SOVIET ORDERS OF LENIN, NAZI CROSS OF HONOR FOR MOTHERHOOD (silver), AUSTRIAN SILVER CROSS OF MERIT (with crown), POLISH CROSS OF MERIT, AUSTRIAN CROSS OF MERIT, SWEDISH ORDER OF THE NORTH STAR (knight), TURKISH ORDER OF OSMANIE, and several FRENCH LEGIONS d'HONNEUR (various ranks). BTW, the *starting* price for the Lenins were $850

Another very good complete work is "The Boer War" by Thomas Pakenham. -Dave

Here's a picture of Jan Smuts and Louis Botha, taken from the book "The Boer War" by Thomas Pakenham - IMHO the seminal work on the 2nd Boer War.

Any idea what the wording says around the top?

Here's my Marine Corps ring - marked "STERLING" on the inside. Formerly belonged to a WWII Marine who got it during the war. -Dave

Here is the reverse of one of their unit coins -Dave

Here's the picture - with Himmler holding the Imperial Standard. -Dave p.s. Not gettin' into the argument about who can get what awards...

Well, thanks for the help gents! I guess if I ever get back to Istanbul (not Constantinople) I'll know what to look for - and what to stay away from! -Dave

Actually, yes. The photo was taken in the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul back in Aug 2005. The guy had pile of medals/orders/badges laying about - including seven Orders of Lenin (all genuine)! So is this Romanian badge worth anything?

Thanks for all the info - saschaw - you're right; it is part of the Order of St. Sava in front of it. So, any idea of the rarity of all these awards belonging to one person? What type of rank/position would he have? -Dave

For an excellent book on the subject, try "The Night of Long Knives" by Max Gallo. It gives a blow-by-blow account of the events leading up to the arrest and execution of a number of high-ranking SA and Party leaders on 30 June, 1934. Dave

Look at the gold chain - I can make out (from left) unk (double-headed eagle), unk(Merit Cross?), Bravery Medal (FJ), Karl's Troop Cross, Military Merit Medal (Karl I), Tapferkeit Medal(?), Verdienstkreuz, and a Franz Joseph Order. Any other expert eyes out there that can correct my observations? Also, how rare would it be for an individual to have *all* of the awards listed? Thanks for the help - Dave

Any help with this one, gents? The one in the upper left is the badge in question, but would also take advice on the one below and to the right - with blue and white enamel. -Dave

Ok, thanks to Ed Haynes description of Moroccan medals (http://faculty.winthrop.edu/haynese/medals/morocco.html) it appears that this one is the Wissam al-Mohammadi / Ordre de la souverainete / Order of the Mohammediya - First Class (breast star with a row of brilliants surrounding the central motif). Any idea of the rarity/value of this award?

Ok, I found out that the lower right one is a Tunisian Order of the Republic, but no idea what the funky looking one at upper left is. I can see the Arabic writing (translation, anyone?) and also the lion/crown appears to be Moroccan (?). BTW, these were found at a small shop inside the Grand Bazaar in Istabul back in Aug 2005. Any help? -Dav

Also, can someone tell me the price range(s) for these pieces? I know that much depends on the condition and authenticity, but anything in the ballpark would be nice. Thanks for helpin' a newbie! -Dave

Yeah, it was kind of weird - you're walking thru this crowded bazaar with all kinds of cheap knicknacks, then all of a sudden I come across this store with heap of medals/orders all crowded into the window. The only thing I really got good pictures of were the Orders of Lenin - all appeared genuine, and he was *asking* $850USD for them (initial offer - could've probably got him down to $650-700). Had no idea about any of the others - except for the German Motherhood cross, an Iron Cross 1st cl. and a French Legion d'Honneur. If there's some way I can post the whole photo (about 513 KB), let me know. Thanks for the prompt replies and all the info! Glad to be aboard! -Dave

And more...

Here are some other unknowns:

And here is the Medjidie Grand Cross (is that the right term?) and a 5th Order

Not the whole picture, unfortunately - I've had to "slice & dice" due to upload restrictions. Here's the two in question:

Medjidie 5th class(?) and Order of Osmanie

I took this photo while I was at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul back in Aug 2005. I was initially interested in the seven(!) Orders of Lenin for sale, but have since been trying to discern the other awards as well. I now recognize three Orders of the Medjidie (5th class?), One Medjidie Grand Cross, and an Order of Osmanie at the bottom. Can anyone shed some light on the others - esp. the two green/red ones to the left of the Grand Cross? Any information/insight would be most helpful. -Dave