Alex K

Would any of our experts like to comment on the authenticity or otherwise of the attached? regards Alex K

Very nice, I have no reason to doubt it's period authenticity, particularly with the little finishing touches on the reverse of the suspension ring. I would say a civilian piece, Would someone faking this go to that much trouble? regards Alex

Why?

It would be interesting to postulate what would have happened if they had found out, presumably he would have been treated as a traitor and dealt with accordingley. regards

Nice photo, thanks, interesting info about Brandt, being a prisoner against his own nation, did they know or just assume he was a Norwegian combatatant? regards

Aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh that's him, meant him all the time just got the name wrong! I'll have to change the name on my photo

Ahaa, so my answer is wrong then, (And also the picture I have), still it looks looks like him, Why was Brandt in exile? was it self imposed? regards Alex

Sorry you've lost me regards Alex

Ja It's Willi Brandt, got the same photo (Without his bride) regards Alex

For those who are interested, an excellent web-site about REAL colour Photo's of the last days of the Romanov Dynasty and other period photo's. These photo's are not recoloured or even coloured , they are genuine photo's taken at the time, ie, turn of the 19th century. They were taken with a special 3 layer camera which recorded each image in their three primary colours and when combined produced a true colour image, to me fascinating. http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/empire/ edit, the site allows you to download small files of the picture, jpeg , medium files or Woppas in uncompressed Tiff format, where it is in uncompressed format at very high file format, this allows you to zoom into the closesd level of details without any ?deterioratins on picture quality

Hi Brian As a collector primarily of ODM's and an interest in military history in general, I look at my collection frequently, but just occaisionally I stray to other fields. my other lifetimes interest has always been photography. and if I can combine the two, what the hell why not! There are many excellent B/W photo's out there which express their period message without any tinkering. Just, sometimes a bit of colour brings a higher level of "Reality" as I mentioned in an erlier post, life was not lived in B/W but colour. having said all that, attached another Colourised portrait of Dietrich Hrabak. (unwaterermarked) see how quickly this appears on scum-bay as an original colout photo) regards Alex

Pay for your own awards It's just a good job that "Tommy Soldier" didn't have to do that otherwise there would be nothing for us to collect thanks regards Alex

Well done keep 'em coming regards Alex

Interesting, that would make it nearly pure gold. I can see why it would command a premium price, forgetting other details. regards Alex

Posts seem to have got crossed, however The Price of a Zimbabwian McBurger them, so I was right! regards Alex

Hi Ed Thanks for the info 1) this I can certainly live with 2) this will always add some value to any decoration 3) Are they made of solid gold (Genuine Question)? if so there is obviously some intrinsic purely mettalic value therefore I would expect a premium on their value 4) It would appear that "New Money" from wherever it comes, has no limits. I seem to remember that with the demise of the Soviet Empire, Soviet and other eastern block militaria could be bought by the bucketful for the price of a McBurger. (But at the time no-one seemed interested) Maybe we were all short sighted when the only thing that mattered was TR and Imperial German! Lucky guys who saw the potential and got in there. What's next Albanian? Quick edit I notice an number on the reverse, this being 1526, would this be the recipients number?, also I notice no Hallmark, would this be normal with soviet decorations, once again I I proffess my ignorance but genuine curiosity. regards Alex K

I assume that these were private purchase items and not "Government issue", they must have cost a fortune to taylor, still I suppose when entering a room with say 100 people all wearing similar garb, decorated with shiny baubles, it must have looked a pretty impressive sight. thanks for the info regards Alex

Not being an expert on Soviet awards (Or anything else for that matter), just what is it that makes this command such a high (Inflated?) price? regards Alex

Hi James for the link, already found that one, btw I assume that they no longer wear these types of civil uniforms? regards Alex

Once again gentlemen thanks for your input. regards Alex

I think you're right, well spotted and thanks, edit but what's this? BTW is that a military crimson uniform or a diplomatic dark Blue? regards Alex

Thanks for the fast replies everyone. regards Alex K

Looks like a very useful programme. Not tried it yet but looks interesting

Does anyone have a complete list of his decorations? regards Alex K

Slightly? with regards to military but all old photo's (attached) can be repaired. An old photo of my Grandmother. with patience it can be done. regards Alex