Alex K

hi Stefan I believe that the order of the red eagle was not officially awarded after 1918, so it would predate that year. As for issuing for state visits, I would guess that it could have been, that is why it may be the non-combatant ribon, the military combatant ribbon resembled the 1914-18 iron cross. perhaps others can confirm or correct me regards Alex

Hi Royal victorian order is actually UK but could be awarded to others. The last one looks like the Prussian Order of the Red Eagle, non combatatnts ribbon, but I could be wrong, It depends on the age of the spange regards Alex

Or maybe you do!! some attached firsttwo well worn, the third May be a repro regards Alex

sorry didn't read your message properly, you don't want RAF? Alex

Hi, New Zealand pilots wings, regards, I will try to post some RAF ones also regards Alex

Hi Kevin, thanks for the pictures, It sometimes seems to bring the reality home when there are pictures of the individuals and not just names like in the UK. Names are that, just names, a picture however shows that the person was actually flesh and blood at one time regards Alex

Just my thoughts at a late/early hour, why would anyone award themselves that? I would have thought that if one was into self awarded gongs, something that said BLING BLING would have been much better. Alex

Hi gentlemen, thanks for the comments and info. I must admit that at first I thought that it was just a poor die manufacture. however I know that J lesser is one of the better makers regards Alex

As an example a few of the items I still retain, all pot metal or lead, and bend when it gets warm

Completely agree with Ed. It would help all others to see the offendng items, Unfortunately this is not particularly new, I well remember in the 1970's having certain dealers catalogues which listed practically every TR and imperial decoration in existence! and I bought by the bucket load, because they were inexpensive, in the end I ended up with a huge pile of cheap garbage made of either lead or pot metal which bent if you blew on it. I think that if you were to poll the forum,. many of us have been there at some stage. regards Alex

Hi bifter, sorry to hear about all this, but unfortunately, in this world, you get what you pay for. internet transactions can be a minefield, It only takes someone to post a picture of the real thing, and say you are buying a copy of it and hey presto, you end up with a pile of cr*p, it doesn't say what quality of copy you are buying. my commiserations regards Alex

stamps

A newish one to my collection, a BVMO 4th class by Jacob Lesser with hallmarks. What puzzles me is that the reverse lower arm has wider edges than the others, I have also seen this on other equivalent pieces by other makers, any ideas? regards Alex

Hi Max, thanks for the description,sent you a pm regards Alex

Hi gents, thanks for the comments, I'll pass them back, I don't think that there are any other photo's but I'll ask regards Alex

Hi pluribus, thanks for the info regarads Alex

A colleague on another forum has asked me if I know what the attached is, I don't, the only thing known is that it was used on board a ship, do any other experts know? regards Alex

Hi pluribus, interesting medal, Why would they put the inscription on the reverse in English? regards Alex

Hi Christian, thanks for the links , I'll certainly have a look when I'm at home on my own computer regards Alex

Hi Christian so do I, Big Mozart Fan , Saw in Birth place when I was in Salzburg a few years back, I just happen to know about the bearded one's band regards Alex

Just in case you didn't know, they're an?American band called "ZZ Top" Regards

Best of wishes to Bob and his family, get well soon regards Alex

Hi Kevin, interesting pieces, It's suprising how you suddenly begin to notice these pieces whereas before they may have been ignored, (by me at least), Having a piece in my collection (Albiet only half of it) has proved interesting. regards Alex

Hi Graeme, He did have a few other wings, (Non-pilots) knocking around but I suspect they were RAF not RNZAF, I'll have a look next time I'm in the shop. BTW I assume you are after New Zealand. regards Alex

So presumably you added the ribbon and case?, if it's genuine 300EU sounds like the bargain of the century, well done Alex