Richard LaTondre

I have some seventh class kites that are mint but over the years developed a 'gold' patina.

Through the courtesy of Hugh here is an image. Thanks Hugh

That is very interesting information and it makes good sense as that trend also seems to prevail in the lower classes of the orders. Thanks, Dick

Hi Paul: Three months ago I bought a 3d Class Auspicious Clouds on eBay for about US $1,200 in excellent condition. I would think that the Auspicious Clouds and the Pillars of State would be worth the same. This item is approaching double what I paid. Dick

This is something you don't see too often, A Third Class Pillars of State up for auction. The bidding at this time is well over US 2K. Dick This item was received through the very kind thoughtfullnes of Dieter3. http://page9.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/k114730032

Thank you Hugh for your kind offer. Yes! I agree it is a beautiful medal. and Yes, I need help. Regards, Dick

Emanuel: I wish you luck . . . . . Richard

I received this item yesterday from Argentina. It is the Royal Order of Cambodia instituted in 1894, This one was issued by the Emperor of Cambodia. Weight with ribbon 34.7 grs Size (w/o ribbon) 75 x 52 mm. Sorry, No pictures as I am informed the file is 'too big'

They both seem to have similar symbols in common. The globe, the turtles, and the bluebirds. They may be representing the same unit/organization at different periods of time. Dick

Hi Alex! Thanks for sharing that. I assume this photo was taken in the Presidential Building, Arts Museum, in TaiBei. The Republic of China (ROC) Instituted this award on 8 November 1937. It was awarded for Distinguished Contributions to the National Defense under foreign invasion (not too many people are alive to meet those requirements) this is the Grade l (Grand Cordon Set. The following is from the Awards and Seals Division, Taiwan: "In 1929 the Nationalist government enacted a statute regulating decorations for the army, the navy and the air force, specifying the use of the Order of Blue Sky with a White Sun and the Order of Precious Tripod when honoring military personnel. Another law was passed in 1933 stipulating that the Order of Brilliant Jade with Grand Cordon and the China Order of Brilliant Jade be conferred to non-military officials. Since then, the laws regarding decorations and orders have gone through a myriad of revisions. It was not until 1945 when an air force decoration statute was implemented that the purpose and types of national orders were firmly established. Today, the Order of Brilliant Jade with Grand Cordon, the Order of Dr. Sun Yat-sen with Grand Cordon, the Order of Chiang Chung-Cheng with Grand Cordon, the Order of Propitious Clouds, and the Order of Brillaint Star are non-military orders and decorations. The Order of National Glory with Grand Cordon, the Order of Blue Sky with a White Sun, the Order of Precious Tripod, the Order of Loyalty and Valour, the China Order of Clouds, and the Order of Loyalty and Diligence are given to military personnel. There are also six types of special orders designed to pay tribute to officiials and members of the air force, including the Order of Grand Community, the Order of Cosmic Diagram, the Order of Book of Nature, the Order of Sublime Commencement, and the Order of Renaissance and Honour. Best Regards, Richard

Just as we thought it was all coming together . . . . . I noticed that in Edward J. Emerings OMSA monograph "Orders, Decorations, and Medals of the French Overseas and the Post-Colonial Periods", on page 5, the two medals are pictured side by side and they both have blue center shields. Dick

Hi Hugh! You take better pictures through glass frames hanging on the wall than I do with a camera setup. I found the answer to the dilemna on the OMSA site. One of the members stated that the version made in France used a very dark blue/black stone, while the version made in country used a light blue stone. Here is an excellent example: http://www.france-phaleristique.com/accueil.htm Thanks for your help. Dick

Thanks Hugh, Could you tell me what class/order your medal is? Have you ever seen one like mine that is written in gold on a black oval?

Thanks for the response but can you be a little more specific when you use the term 'appears' because if it is in fact blue with gold writing it may indicate a different class as opposed to the gold wearing off, etc.

I am expanding my collection efforts to the medals (primarily referred to as 'colonial) of French IndoChina. I recently acquired a Dragon d'Annam Knightclass Order, that has a shield in the center of Onyx Black with gold letters (left). I have only seen these medals with a blue oval medallion with silver seal characters (old chiinese) as shown on the medal on the right The characters read the same the difference being black w/gold inscription and blue with silver characters. I can realize that there are many variations of this order due to its years, but this strikes me as being a major variation. Both of these medals were made in France. The different ribbons denote the awarding authority, i.e., Yellow with red stripes awarded by the emperor and yellow/orange with green awarded by the president of France. I know there is someone out there that can give me the answer. Thanks, Dick Sorry the photos aren't better

Here is a picture of mine. As you can see, it is quite a bit older except for the ribbon. Interestingly it hass a hallmark on the back of the dragon. The letter "A" Dick

All I can say is: "Good Luck"

Alex: That was an excellent buy and it appears that it is one of the better ones made in Paris. Thanks for the tip. I'll check it out. Dick

I am too embarrased to show mine after seeing the one you posted. Much of the cloisone on mine (the green dragon scales) have worn off as well as the red oval riband on the pendant. What is interesting is that the green and yellow dragon scales reflect the color of the ribbon which is 7mm yellow, 22mm kight green and 7mm yellow which indicates that it was made in France and awarded by the president. The same medal with a 7mm yellow stripe, 22mm red center stripe and 7mm yellow, would have been awarded by the Emperor. There is another version that has two dark red 7mm edge stripes with a 22mm lighter red center stripe. Did you say that you purchased the one that you posted? At a recent H.D. Rauch auction last month the biddibg on one of these started at 2,00 euros. I do not know what the hammer brought. A good description/history of this medal is contained in the OMSA Monograph "Orders, Decorations, and Medals of the French Overseas and the Post Colonial Periods" by Edward J. Emering. Dick

This is correct. I should have been more clear and stated that this type pertains to unofficial, non-government, and non-military. I think your third class may be a second class.

The casting of the suspension ring as an integral part of the planchet is not a normal Japanese practice. Nor is the sidewise suspension. This is a common procedure used by modern day 'manufacturers'. Dick LaTondre

Thanks for the beautiful display. That must be close to US $51,000.00! I wonder what Mike Quigley's Collar is worth? Dick LaTondre

I believe that it may well be the same Order but with later additions. I have no additional information to offer. King Kwok Cheung wrote an article in the JOMSA in 2002 addressing this possibility. See "Orders of the Golden Grain and Precious Brilliant Golden Grain Republic of China (1912-1929) The Journal of the Orders and Medals Society of America Vol 53, No 3, May-June 2002.

Lilo: The Order of the Golden Grain was established 29 July 1912 by President Yuan Shih Kai as an award for outstanding Civil Merit. (Chia Ho). The order came in two classes: The First Class Order of the Golden Grain has two grades: The First Grade which is the Order of the Most Precious Brilliant Golden Grain (Chia Ho Bao Xing). This Grade has five classes with brilliants (I believe the term brilliants refers to the gem stones ((17)) mounted in the circle. i.e., the rubies). The Second Grade has nine classes without brilliants. The badge that you have shown from Sothebys is described as an wight pointed gold star upon which has been superimposed a 12 pointed gold rimmed, yellow bordered, red enamel cross. The center medallion portrays on a white enamel background five green and gold sheaves of wheat set in a circular pattern. In the center is a medium sized ruby. The center medallion is surrounded by seventeen small rubies. The badge is suspended from a green and gold laurel wreath. Richard