paul wood

SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 31 MAY, 1956 Alfred MADLE, Esq. For political and public services in Middlesex. I think this answers the question Paul

Should have got the Somali Pirates on it they would have had it up in no time (with a bit of prest labour). Paul

Certainly that was the case with Pajari's two awards in around 1995, I am not sure what the law is now. All the best, Paul

Definitely an Eastern Orthodox piece. All the best, Paul

I think they have added about 1000 years to the date of the earliest coins if the photos are anything to go by, these look like Byzantine solidi from the 6th century AD. Paul

My feeling is that given the number around they were produced in small numbers, the classes being dictated by protocol. I would imagine that the 5th class (which is probably quite rare) was for lower grade government officials. Unless there is a sources in Bulgaria I doubt if the numbers awarded are traceable but given how other Bulgarian material turns up quite frequently I would suggest that this confirms its rarity. Paul

Timo, I have now discovered that your badge is in fact the Third Class (still rare). The First Class is silver-gilt with enamelled centre, the Second Class is silver with enamelled centre, Third Class silver-gilt (yours), Fourth Class silver and Fifth class bronze. All classes are rare. I have only handled the First class (about 16 years ago) and I have not encountered any of the other classes apart form your example. I think it is a rare decoration in any class although peversely probably the First has survived in larger quantities at it was awarded to the top echelons of society (and I wouldn't be surprised if a few remainders emerged from Gotha). All the best, Paul

You are correct the central medallion is enamelled. Paul

Nice thing Timo, I have only handled the first class, these certainly are quite rare on the market. Paul

It appears to be a copy of an Ottoman gold coin of the Sultan Mohammed VI (1918-22) AH 1336, year 5. Copies of Ottoman gold coins were frequently made to adorn a brides wedding dress. All the best, Paul

I am wondering if any of our Turkish clients would fancy a project of translating the Turkish into English and marketing it as a CD. For one I would be certainly glad of it. Paul

I would have minor reservations about the piece, it is certainly struck from a different set of dies from the piece illustrated in Diakov, the position of the hyphen is more central and there is a variation on the serifs of the K. Just over 110,000 silver medals were issued so it is possible that they made more than one set of dies. 20 years ago I wouldn't have worried as they Weren't worth a light but unfortunately there are now some very good workshops in Moscow and the Ukraine especially and I fear that the Russian market will go through the same problems that the German market went through when the late, great master Ernst Blass was producing his works of art in immense quantities. It caused a large number of collectors to relinquish the pursuit causing a depression in the Imperial German market. What worries me especially is that the fake are getting better and better that even the so called experts in Russia are being bamboozled and many fakes are passing off as legitimate.. I would be interested in our Russian members opinions. I am sorry I can't be more conclusive but I hope that this is of some help. Best wishes, Paul

Gavin, I am glad you have invested in Erureten's book it is excellent, especially from the illustrations point of view. I wish I could read Turkish as I am sure that I would learn a lot more. The Toughra is always that of Abdul Mejid and some of your illustrations show that very clearly. The thing that you have to remember is that many Medjidjies were awarded to foreign recipients and they were usually manufactured in the country of the recipient. To European manufactures the Toughra was about as comprehensible as writing from outer space so quite often there are serious errors in copying it. Turkish made pieces will always have a clear Toughra of Abdul Mejid, the founder. As an order to collect, especially in the 3rd-5th class it is relatively inexpensive and the amount of variations one can find make it an interesting collecting theme. All the best, Paul

Gordon. The 2/1 Punjabis (Pre 1922 66 Punjabis) was one of the units selected for Indianisation in February 1923. They served on the NWF between the wars and during WWII they served in both India and Burma and they were the highest decorated Indian Battalion during the war with 1 VC, 4 DSOs, 22 MCs, 6 IOMS, 27 MMs, 1 GM and 12 IDSMs. As a Sepoy it is most unlikely that he would be researchable, If he was promoted to a VCO prior to Independence he would appear in the Indian Army list but I suspect that is unlikely Still a nice buy. All the best, Paul

The swords look to be of "later manufacture" added by someone hoping to make a few bob on top, I think the medal itself is probably OK. Paul

Markus, no marks on the reverse? Paul

See Edinburgh Gazette May 11 1920 pp 1240-41 for the award of St. Sava, Temporary Captain RAMC Paul

If it is 1934 then it could relate to the Assassination of Alexander I in Marseilles. Paul

Well spotted that man. Paul

Paul, My guess is that it is a first type Colonial (or Overseas) Educational Merit Medal issued parallel with the Italian 1919 Educational Merit Medal, the style would suggest it.. It is possible that very few were issued, hence it is not in the reference books or alternatively it is a trial piece, I feel though one has to discount the latter as all Italian trials I have encountered from that period are stamped PROVA. All the best, Paul

Yes, Plate 31 59-71 Paul

Chip the left hand arms are described by Rentzmann's Wappen Lexicon as Saxony, Electorate which dates it prior to 1802, the right hand arms are more confusing because I can't find a coat of arms with a scimitar but certainly of Saxon origin. Paul

When the photofairy deigns to come into my office. She tends to disappear for two weeks on the trot Paul

I was lucky enough to purchase a 19th century rosewood collectors cabinet, with lock intact just over 3 foot high (roughly a metre for those who can't hack Imperial measures), with 9 trays deep trays with attractive light wood floral inlay on the front of the drawers and virtually perfect condition. Have lined the drawers with velvet and easily houses my 200+ medals with plenty of room for addition and as a bonus it neatly fits under my desk.. I managed to pick it up for the bargain price of £200. To have such a cabinet purpose made now would cost many time that and it makes it look like I am housing a collection of many years rather than one formed over 6 Years. All the best, Paul

I think, looking at the list of recipients, the chance of getting an issued piece is negligible. I know certain past or deposed rulers material has come on the market through some source or other but the list features none of them. I think an unissued specimen is your only chance and that may be available from the official suppliers at a price. Paul