Taz

The Order of Charity (Shefkat Nishani) - Instituted in 1878 by Sultan Abdulhamid II in three classes, this order was reserved for females. It was given in recognition of charitable work, or as a token of the Sultan's esteem.

Badge:

A five pointed star in gold, red enameled, with ball finials and a central medallion in gold bearing the tughra of Abdulhamid II. Around the central medallion is a green enameled band with the words "Humanity, Assistance, Patriotism". The badge is suspended from a small red enameled crescent and star.

The second and third class badges, and the star of the first class, have faceted rays between the points of the star, and a wreath of laurels with berries in red and green across the rays.

The third class is silver, gold and enamels, while the second class is set with jewels.

The first class breast star, which is much larger than the other badges, is set with diamonds, and the berries on the laurel wreath are set with rubies rather than enameled.

The first class badge does not have rays between the arm, and is worn on a sash in conjunction with the breast star.

The second class badge is worn on a neck ribbon, and the third class on a bow ribbon, attached to the clothing with metal prongs on the back of the suspension device.

Some examples of the second and third class badges are known to be set with real diamonds, while others use glass pastes. These variants are jeweler copies, and are often found with European jewelers' marks, or unmarked. Likewise, badges are found in gold, silver gilt, or bronze gilt. There are also variants of the second or third class made by Coro, a well known maker of costume jewelry, which feature a red enameled center medallion with a white enameled surround, and no enamel on the star, as well as floral scrolls between the rays of the stars. While these may have been made as private purchase pieces, they may also have been merely decorative and should be regarded as jewelry, rather than orders. Ribbon: White with green/red/green stripes toward the edges.

Description from: http://www.turkishmedals.net/orders.htm

Image CO Sotherbys.

The term 'Schinkelform' gets its name from the original designer of the Iron Cross, whose general cross form remained pretty much unchanged through the 1914 issues.

When the 1939 Iron Cross was introduced, Hitler wanted it enlarged slightly and the overall shape slightly bigger and bolder.

Many of the original makers of the 1914 Cross continued to use up older stocks or older dies for frames to make the new 1939 versions, which were smaller and finer than the typical 1939 crosses; more like the old 1870's and 1914's.

LDO regulations eventually forced the licensed makers to switch to the broader frame. Therefore, the 1939 'Schinkelform' crosses are a somewhat rarer variation.

Regards Eddie

CO:

http://mark_99701.tripod.com/WWIIGermanBadges/id3.html

Sorry, all I have right now.

Ribbon CO Antonio

Reverse

No further details right now.

Medalla/Distinci?n ''Mehdi Ben Barka''

A new find recently. It is an OSPAAAL (Organizaci?n de Solidaridad con los Pueblos de Asia, ?frica y Am?rica Latina) issue award.

Obverse

Medalla "Antonio Briones Montoto" (I)

Medalla "Por la Protecci?n de las Fronteras" (I)

Obverse

Medalla "Olo Pantoja" (I)

What's on the back? Have you found out what it was for?

Rick,

Council of State reverse.

This seems to be another State Security related medal. Reserved for Military Officers rather than civilian personal? no exact critaria to date.

Regards Eddie.

Reverse.

Sindicato Nacional de los Trabajadores de Hoteler?a y Turismo (SNTHT)

Epidio Sosa Gonz?lez (04.03.1929-26.07.1953), Cuban revolutionary, a participant in the assault of the Moncada barracks where he was killed in combat.

Awarded for 25 years service to the Hotel, Hostel and Tourist industry.

Distinci?n "Elpidio Sosa Gonz?lez"

I would imagine to staff and well known ex-graduates Rick,

This is a Council of State issue award, later aniversary medals, 260,70 and 80 were awarded by the university itself.

The 280 year aniversary is worn on a purple neck ribbon. I need to confirm if the others had the same.

Regards Eddie.

It is a beautiful order. The Communists did make pretty medals! What was it awarded for?

Paul,

This is another Order where the critaria in not really clear.

It is Farming Merit Order.

la Orden ?17 DE MAYO? a los compa?eros que serelacionan a continuaci?n, en reconocimiento a la destacada labor realizada en el desempe?o de sus funciones, su consagraci?n al trabajo, y su valiosa contribuci?n y apoyo a la transformaci?n agropecuaria del pa?s

In recognition to the outstanding work made in the performance of functions, consecration of the work, and its valuable contribution and support to the farming transformation of the country.

At first I thought it was awarded by La Asociaci?n Nacional de Agricultores Peque?os (ANAP) The National Association of Small Agriculturists. But this doesn't seem to be the case because of the Council of state reverse.

The Orden ?17 de Mayo? honours Niceto Perez Garc?a a man who fought for farmers rights in Cuba.

Niceto was a farmer who came from Filipinas community.

He was murdered on May 17th, 1946, by Lino Mancebo Pose??s agents.

May 17th is observed every year as Farmers Day, since 1959 when the First Agrarian Reform Law was signed that delivered the land to its true owners. Also on this day the foundation of the ANAP, in 1961.

Regards Eddie

How are you making those ribbons?

Rick,

Microsoft paint and templates from Lukaz. I just pick one with the main colours(or resize original) and adapt it as needed.

Regards Eddie

Close up

reverse

Rick,

Council of State reverse on this one.

Regards Eddie.

Great stuff there. Keep them coming!

I wonder if anyone has pics of PAF wings-badges to post.

Just this at the mo

Thanks Anatoly, Guys,

I got a reply back today from Mr Artur Sniegocki on the Polish badge.

Artur Sniegocki works with Stefan Oberleitner, a well known expert and author of books on Polish awards and badges.

http://klub.chip.pl/asnieg/index.html

It should be read LPZ, see below:

Orginal name is: LPZ (Liga Przyjaciol Zolnierza)

History, names, Polish organization:

1944 - 1950 TPZ (Towarzystwo Przyjaciol Zolnierza, eng: Company Friends Soldiers)

1950 - 1962 LPZ (Liga Przyjaciol Zolnierza, eng: Alliance Friends Soldiers)

1962 - LOK (Liga Obrony Kraju, eng: Alliance Defender Country)

The Polish organization was: LPZ (today LOK)

Regards Eddie

After looking at post #4 again, bottom bar, is it possible that the numerals are added later. They look out of line.

Regards Eddie.

That is a beautiful medal! I wonder how many were awarded?

No idea Paul,

I wonder if Lukaz has any info on the PRL version, the RP version is still being awarded.

@RedMaestro

No prob, your welcome.

Regards Eddie.