Alex K

Hi Paul, the ribbon in my opinion is original, it's sewn on the reverse in such a way which doesn't allow me to remove and straighten it if I wanted to, so it stays like that, adds character I suppose, I have an EK2 1870 ,(Been there look) with a tatty ribbon, I tried it with a newer ribbon and it didn't quite look right so it sits with it's original tatty one again, replace? sometimes yes, sometimes no (Apologies to Stuka f don't mean to hijack your thread)

extremely nice, great postcard also, thanks for posting Alex

Hi Pieter, I'm sure your stay and visit was an extremely enjoyable experience, does the palace have any personal artifacts such as uniforms, decorations etc of King Kalakaua on display, if so would be interesting to see. BTW I actually like the colourisation I did of him so with regards to my avatar, I given him a reprieve for the time being regards Just for future info, from the Mannerheim museum

Thanks for that, I'd like to think they were to the same person

Hi Graf, thanks for the positive feedback, I can sleep soundly now I agree that whilst they came together I have to assume they belong together, they did come from a respected dealer at the time, but who knows, if nothing else, they are good period examples of badge and certificate thanks Alex

I'm reading this thread with growing horror, I have to admit that those fakes would have fooled me, I may come to regret this, but any advice as to the authenticity of the attached Order of Civil Merit Commander and Award document, (It has been in my collection since January1991, they came together), Hoping for good news, regards Alex

Do you mean this one?

Hi Pieter, I can always put it back, I have many, many more colourisations than I post, so I like to rotate occasionally, I'm sure King David will make a re-appearance, how about another King, posted before but different uniform regards Alex May be of interest http://mannerheim.weebly.com/mannerheims-decorations.html#.V-6bZnn2ZhE

Hi Pieter/Paul, my thanks also for the info you supplied, I was also unaware of the swords significance but assumed it would be gold/silver, however I have a copy of Paul Hieronymussen's book "Order, Medals and Decorations of Btritain and Europe" 2nd edition 1970 and it states "Knight of the Grand Cross of the Order of the Sword Ist Class, which wears a Knight's Cross of the same size as the Grand Cross on a necklet and an upright silver sword on the left side of the chest", no picture unfortunately, this sounds the same as your info, maybe I should check the information I have sitting under my nose Ist!! regards Alex

Hi all another interesting one (For me), Gustav Mannerheim (are those 2 flatscreen TV's in the background)

Yes nice example one's on my list to add to my growing Crown order collection! Alex

all that inter-marrying

I should have known really, I did this of him many moons ago, they do look similar though (To me)

It's smaller, does that have implications as to its monetory value!, I also note that Her Maj, still doesn't look like Her Maj

Cheap and cheerful, I've got no problem with that, I wish my local flea-markets had such unwanted items on offer!

HI Paul, Have I goofed? (I do but normally manage to catch them early before they get out), I'll check my info database regards Alex Got him mixed up with this dude I think, looks quite similar, (Or am I fooling myself and they are both the same person!!?) I have the as the Duke of Connaught

useful article

One way of telling is that the bottom of the "V" points to the 1st arm of the "W", attached is mine, fakes or copies the "V" often points more to the right (Centre of the "W)

yes, has the front been repainted? looks like it

Kaiser Wilhelm II always seems to make interesting colourisations, three of a number, hunting at Balmoral in Scotland (I think), 2 others with all the work clothes but without a job, at Doorn.

Hi all, thanks for the comments, been away on vacation, just got back, so to answer a few questions, the time taken depends on the complexity and number of gongs, etc, in terms of work -hours, Oskar Schindler, head and shoulders (Quite like that one!) 2 hours, I don't always work in one sitting as I'm not financial/time constrained, so on the more intricate one's I may do an hour, leave it and come back to it later, sometimes days/weeks later and do another bit rather than one sitting, I suit myself basically. Paul (R) thanks for the input, I appreciate if mistakes are pointed out as I prefer to get things as correct as possible, a simple tweek will alter the stars, thanks This one took a little longer due to the quantity of scrambled egg spread over his uniform! (Don't think I've posted it before) Continuing, I've started to look at the story behind some of the colourisations to add a little history where I can, one I came across deserves to be remembered, so a little narrative to go with it, I collate the information from various sources and credits are indicated " Flying Officer Robert Fitzgerald Conroy 429 (Bison) Bomber Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force, 6 Bomber Group, RAF Bomber Command Killed in Action over Germany on March 24, 1944 “Robert Fitzgerald Conroy was born in a small rural Nova Scotia community and developed an affinity for the country way of life at an early age. After graduating from a one-room, multi-grade school, he began his adult years working for a forestry company and then enlisted in the Canadian Forestry Corps with his friends. He was anxious to be a pilot and was transferred to the Royal Canadian Air Force after barely a year with the Forestry Corps. Following extensive training in Canada, he proceeded overseas to continue to continue his bomber pilot education and training. In June of 1943, as a member of 429 (Bison) Bomber Squadron, he was shot down on a bombing raid to Dusseldorf, Germany; all his crew was killed. However, he survived, evaded capture and made his way to Spain and eventual repatriation to England. After leave in Canada, he returned to his squadron as pilot of a Halifax bomber. While part of Bomber Command’s last big raid of the war on Berlin, he was shot down and killed –this time all his crew survived. “Get Out, Get Out Now”, were the last words spoken by Flying Officer Gerald Conroy as he piloted his flaming and wrecked Halifax bomber to the ground over Southeastern Germany near midnight on 24 March 1944. He was on his second operational tour of duty and was participating in what was the last major Allied raid on Berlin, also known as “the night of the strong winds.”” He is buried in the Commonwealth war grave cemetery, Berlin Narrative extracts credits Robertconroy.com Grave image findagrave

Genuine piece and nice Alex K

Hi Peter, thanks for the thumbs up, I suspect that King David got many orders not only for the Hula-Hula but for the fact that he did a Euro-blitz tour and maybe he was a welcome newcomer so they showered him with gongs, I believe he many more than he could sensibly wear on one uniform, as for the Haube, agreed, who knows maybe he saw them and said I like them, make me some regards

The real Oskar Schindler And finally for the moment someone who doesn't get much mention, Mussolini and his friend

I don't often re-visit colourizations I've done but leave them as they are, however reviewing this thread I looked at the first post which started the thread, it was a colourisation I did of Rudolf Witzig, sooo, I thought how would I do it now several years down the line so I did a "ground-up" attempt without looking at my original, here are the results, not a great deal of difference really (Uniform a bit different in colour I suppose)