paul wood

The Medals are a tribute to the participants in the African Campaign 1914-18 by the famous medallist Belgian Frans Huygelen, the medals were retailed by the Brussels jewellers Fonson, who retailed many of Huygelen's work s (who also were makers of Belgian Orders) as double set it is quite scarce. I am aware of single bronze examples which sell for about £100 but the cased double set I would have thought ought to be worth £400-500. A very nice acquisition. Paul

Thank you Radmilo, I believe the buyer did well it looks 100% Paul

Radmilo, I hope it was right because there are some dangerous forgeries of Dragas about and given the short lived time of the Order if right $2,000 doesn't seem excessive. Paul

The surround is clearly a Garter, can any one see a buckle on the Natalie? if so I need to go to go specsavers because I'm blowed if I can. Paul

LCCMFB received a 1902, the 1897 was issued to the metropolitan fire brigade. Alas I have no images. Paul

Foreign dignitaries present at the coronation would have certainly received one. If there is a list of those present at the coronation that should give you the answer. Paul

Keep them coming Radmilo, most interesting. Paul

Both the Kings of Hanover and the Dukes of Brunswick were Knights of the Garter and both were incredibly proud of the award, the horse would suggest Brunswick. Paul

Well at least he didn't have to do bird for it. Paul

the 40 shillings fine and 40 shillings cost was probably over 10 times the value of the canary and cage and probably a couple of weeks wages, that and dismissal was pretty draconian but the norm the times. Paul

Nice pair and well researched, shame he couldn't have stayed on another 6 months to get the 1911 Coronation. Paul

Ah conspiracy theories, where would we be without them (the internet would virtually go out of business). Paul

Not a book but get the DVD set of Sharpe (bound to be quite cheap on Amazon), it gives quite a good flavour of what it was like to be a soldier in the Peninsular War and it's damn good entertainment. Paul

Sal, The most useful award is neither the DSO and Bar of the LdH but the Colonial Auxilliary Decoration which we know would have been issued before 1930, which means he was serving in a colonial volunteer unit prior to 1910 and we know he we know that he was still alive in 1937. There is a reasonable chance that he may have served with a colonial unit in WWI (and not gone to the UK and joined up with a Brit unit) and we can exclude Indian Forces. The DSO book O'Moore Creagh (check name) might be helpful as biographies of the recipients are given. I doub't if you will get it down to one person but I reckon you could narrow it down to a handful (and the time spent would save you money in not going out). Paul

Problem is getting it form Moscow to UK or US. I have seen items in Russian Auctions that are real bargains but I have been told that there is little point in bidding as it will be a nightmare getting it to the UK. Paul

a localy made unofficial peace medal the sort of thing that school children would have worn during peace celebrations. Most of the colonies, dominions and many towns and cities produced them (as with the Great War (there is an inexpensive collecting field there). Paul

Sorry Megan, I only put the post in for the point of clarification as it had originally been put in the wrong place. We had some Guyana material in our last auction in the miniature section (lot 475) but alas we did not illustrate but some good news for you for future sales while our catalogues will be selective on illustrations in the hard catalogues, the on line versions we will attampt (within reason) to illustrate much more and as an old friend if there is ever anything that you would like to have a specific illustration of you only have ask and it will be done. All the best, Paul

I know the price was strong but how many do you see? It is a far more attractive beastie and many times rarer than its Japanese counterpart. Paul

Apparently Gazette notice is missing for Hendry but here is his citation James Claude Scott Hendry, P.O. Mechanic RNAS, Albert Medal, bronze "Gallantry displayed by him on the occasion of an accident to aeroplane 58 on 19th November 1914. Saved the life of the Pilot of No. 58 (who had been stunned by the premature explosion of a bomb) by extricating him from the sinking wreckage of the machine after both had fallen some 150 feet into the sea." Not bad citation, hope it helps. All the best, Paul

Nick, do you think it's real? I have seen several copies and from the image on this site it is not clear enough to be 100% certain either way. All the best Paul

To clarify Guyana, which is to the east of Venezuela, was the originally The British Colonies of Essequebo and Demerara and Berbice (all rum lovers will know the middle name) which were formerly Dutch colonies taken by the British in 1796 after the merger of Berbice and Essequebo and Demerara in 1831 the colony became known as British Guiana and remained so until Independence. Although Guyana is part of South America for cricket purposed it is considered part of the West Indies and test matches are held at Georgetown (which are inevitably rained off) two of Guyana's famous sons are the fat bowler Joel Garner and the late MP for Tottenham Bernie Grant (who many of our ex police members will consider as infamous to say the least). All the best, Paul

Tidbit, Before you comment any further I would respectfully suggest you read Ed Haynes article on the Awards of the Peoples Republic of China in the March-April JOMSA which I believe is available on the OMSA web siite. It think you might find it quite educational as to the issuing polic PRC. All the best, Paul

From the images you have provided the Medjidjie star appears to be real. The other star is the Commander's star of the Swedish Order of the North Star. For the Turkish piece ought to be around $1000 for the Swedish $300-400 Hope this is of help. Paul

It was when I was a student and had been imbibing copious quantitiies of fortified Scottish lemonade. I was walking in a somewhat unsteady fashion and was approached by a member of the constabulary, who after my initial protests asked my to be a good gentleman and cooperate with him . I was then given a night in the Pilgrim Street Police Hotel and the following morning fined £2 for drunkeness (they asked if i wanted pay straight away or in installments). That is the sole incidence of a dark descent into murky world of crime (well the only time I've been caught). Paul

Harry I am sorry you think we are a bit out of order. I think the posts are guilty of of some overliteral interpretation. To call some one a twat, generally refers to the fact that they are ridiculous and in coloquial speech does not directly refer to female genitalia, very much as when we say someone is talking b****cks we mean he is talking utter rubbish. Certainly when I use bloody as an expletive it do not think that I am taking the name of the Virgin Mary in vain, although bloody is an abbreviation of by Our Lady. Yes discussions can get a bit heated at times and if members become unecessarily abusive then action can (and has been) taken against them. I like to think we are a fairly friendly if somewhat irreverent and at times eccentric group. Although I eschew the term gentleman for myself (I think the only time I have ever been referrred to as gentleman was by an arresting officer in my youth). Stick with us we are not a bid bunch. Paul