Alex K

This is in the British Royal Family's collection, presumably awarded to one of the esteemed individuals

You could try here http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=h...l%3Den%26sa%3DG A couple of pictures

reverse

Do you mean any Romanian orders, of so then here's a start. regards Alex

Yes seen it before, I would love a higher resolution copy of the image to have a go myself. regards

Yup, that part of the world has had some serious border changes and "Overlords" over numerous centuries. A political and ethnic mish-mash with each side claiming ownership. Without getting "Political" about it, Ethnic Ukrainians in the region always felt that they belonged neither to the Polish group or for that matter the later soviet group, but that's another story. At the time the photo you posted was taken, ?I suspect that it was Austro-Hungarian so would fit in with the general time-frame. and would therefore explain why he served in Italy, since Austria-Hungary participated in the 1914-18 War. (There because I was told to be there) regards regards Alex

My Grandfather was a "Ukrainian" (West Ukraine) and served at the time in the Austro-Hungarian army, As Rick states, that part of the world at the time was Poland to the Poles, but Ukrainian to the Ukrainians, although not a "Country" as such. If memory serves me right Galicia in Western Ukraine (East Poland) was part of the Austro-Hungarian empire. regards Alex K

Closer pictures would help. However from what I see, if it's in it's original package I would not see any problems, details seem crisp, date well defined and the ribbon looks to be of the correct weave quality and award length. I also notice that the suspension ring is distorted out of shape, this is similar to numerous EKII's I have had in my collection, which were verified as originals. I actually thought that the ring had been damaged, but it seems a particular thing with german Awards, don't know why Not a total expert, but from my experience I would have no problem with this. Good find. regards Alex I wait more professional comments edit, price seems slightly excessive for an EKII IMHO

Hi Excellent site, found it a while back by accident, congrats, very informative regards Alex

Attached, early soviet, i think, this was done to show a colourized B/W photo of what it may have looked like when colourised ?in the traditional way before colour photo's arived Alex BTW Thanks Ed Hope you don't mind

Hi Ed, would love to, unfortunately for me, uniform colours and insiginia are a problem, me being a non soviet expert, as I mentioned in my previous post, I'm trying all different subjects, as in the end colourising is about the subject and not the political leanings of the subject. It just takes time to research uniforms and insignia, (TR Uniforms have been displayed to death) There are many fantastic photo's posted on this site including yours, which are ripe for colourizing, unfortunately borrowing other members photo's and altering them without permission may well be frowned upon. There are some images in "Free Domain" on the internet but they tend to be small images which are difficult to capture the more subtle elements which in the end we are trying to achieve. regards Alex

Yes seen his work on GWF, some remarkable stuff. I am trying lots of different stuff but am starting with the easier bits first. next effort Franz Ritter Von Epp. (I'm sure the NSDAP uniform experts will say all the collar tabs are wrong colour regards Alex

Yes working on a number of projects, but Imperial German, you need to know what time frame the photo was taken, to ensure that wherever possible uniforms, insiginia and any decorations can be accurately identified. Working on the attached at the moment, lots of work to get it realistic. regards Alex

Now that's a seriously desirable pair Alex

Similarly this is up for sale, for 6500GBP, described as early 1820-1830, these should have been returned, Contemporary jeweller's copy? Alex

As you stated Ed, these things were normally returned to the Central Orders Chancery upon the death of the holder if I'm not mistaken, if that's so, how come these "escaped" or are they contemporary Jeweller's copies? regards Alex

One for sale at the moment Breast star, 995 GBP

I can see the similarities and at the same time the differences. regards

Star that comes with it

Hi Ed isn't this the pre-independance version of the ones that you have? I notice the crown's missing on yours? regards BTW going price GBP 2350

However still an iron cross with oakleaves as stated, is someone taking the p*ss

Nice addition to anyone who collects Iron Crosses

Is it!! , what would you reckon on a true market price, as they're a bit out my league regards Alex

Breast Badge

Just received my latest Hard Copy catalogue, (Remember them?) from the "Liverpool Medal Company", some really fine pieces from all over the world. These two attracted my attention, particularly if money is more plentiful than problems. the first? "GCSI Order of the Star of India, Grand Commander Sash Badge, gold magnificantly set with diamonds, breast star, gold and enamel, set with diamonds with original full sash" a snip at 37000GBP the second? "CSI Order of the Star of India, breast badge in gold and enamels with diamond set legend complete with gold top buckle" ?5200GBP and they have more regards Alex