paul wood

I was under the impression that it was awarded by Nicholas for the suppression of the 1848-49 uprisings in Hungary and Croatia in which Russia actively supported Austria. I vaguely remember seeing a portrait of him around the time of his marriage to Sisi where he was either wearing the medal or the riband, it was along time a go and my quasi-senile memory may be at fault.

Paul

Burt and Alan - you are both very welcome as new members to our Forum. We will hope that you will be able to join-in on a regular basis.

Paul - thankyou for helping with that good information. Mervyn

CENTRAL CHANCERY OF

THE ORDERS OF KNIGHTHOOD

St. James's Palace, London S.W.I.

5th April 1977.

The QUEEN has been graciously pleased to award the

Imperial Service Medal to the following officers on

their retirement.

HOME CIVIL SERVICE

Ministry of Defence

ABRAM, Joseph, Stores Officer Grade D.

AKERS, Thomas Henry, Professional and Technology

Officer III.

ALLEN, Henry, Process and General Supervisory C.

ALLEN, Ronald Oliver, Fitter.

ANDREWS, Jack Herbert, Professional and Technology

Officer IV.

AULD, Archibald, Professional and Technology Officer

IV.

BADGER, William Bassett, Skilled Labourer.

BAIN, Watson, Fitter Charge

26/3/57

THOMSON, George Ward, Supervising Engineer,

Whitehall, March 2, 1937.

IMPERIAL SERVICE MEDAL.

His Majesty The KING was pleased to award

the Imperial Service Medal to the following

officers of the Home Civil Service on their

retirement:—

Allen, Richard Hall, Sorter, London Postal

Region.

Anderson, Edward, Skilled Workman, Class II,

Post Office Engineering Department, London.

Andrew, Robert, Postman, Patrington SubOffice, Hull.

Aplin, John Frederick, Postman, Birmingham.

Ball, John Richard, Postman, Southend-onSea.

Barry, Thomas William James, Head Postman,

London Postal Region.

Beecher, Charles, Overseer, London Postal

Region.

Bisset, Thomas Taylor, Postman, Dunbar.

Bitton, Benjamin John Henry, Assistant Superintendent, Post Office, Manchester.

Bolt, Arthur Winter Harris, Sorter, London

Postal Region.

Bond, George, Sorter, London Postal Region.

Borkett, Leonard William, Postman, London

Postal Region.

Bowden, John Frederick, Postman, Kingstonon-Thames.

Bowman, Francis George, Postman, London

Postal Region.

Bowman, John, Postman, Paisley.

Brampton, Edward, Sorter, London Postal

Region.

Brenchley, Harry, Sorting Clerk and Telegraphist, Birmingham.

Brightwell, Joseph David, Postman, London

Postal Region.

Britton, Frederick Wynne, Chief Inspector,

Post Office Engineering Department, Birmingham Test Section.

Bryce, James, Sorting Clerk and Telegraphist}

Dundee.

Burdock, James Ford, Sorting Clerk and Telegraphist, Southampton.

Burnard, Louis Patrick, Sorting Clerk and

Telegraphist, Bristol.

Bushell, George William, Sorter, London

Postal Region.

Carter, James Ernest, Sorter, London Postal

Region.

Carter, William Edward, Overseer, Post Office,

Worthing.

Cassels, William Gordon, Sorting Clerk and

Telegraphist, Aberdeen.

Chapman, John, Postman, Gilberdyke SubOffice, Hull.

Checkley, William, Overseer, London Postal

Region.

Cheetham, Godfrey, Postman, Kingston-onThames.

Chisholm, William David, Sorting Clerk and

Telegraphist, Belfast.

Clark, Benjamin Spencer, Overseer, London

Postal Region.

Collyer, Herbert Henry, Assistant Inspector,

Post Office, Leatherhead.

Cooper, Ernest, Inspector of Telegraph

Messengers, Central Telegraph Office.

Cooper, George John, Skilled Workman, Class

II, Post Office Engineering Department,

London.

Cornwell, Walter John, Overseer, Post Office,

Birmingham.

Cox, Thomas, Overseer, London Postal Region.

Cox, William, Skilled Workman, Class II, Post

Office Engineering Department, Manchester.

Davies, Ezer William, Sorting Clerk and Telegraphist, Birmingham.

Dickinson, Alonza, Postman, Sheffield.

Downes, Annie, Assistant Supervisor, Class II,

Post Office, Liverpool.

Drewell, Alfred Ray, Postman, London Postal

Region.

Edwards, George Griffiths, Assistant Inspector

of Postmen, Wrexham.

Elbourn, Frederic, Sorting Clerk and Telegraphist, Birmingham.

English, Edward James, Assistant Superintendent, London Postal Region.

Evans, Henry James, Skilled Workman, Class

II, Post Office Engineering Department,

London.

hope this helps GV ISMS were awarded well into 1937.

Paul

THOMSON, George Ward, Supervising Engineer,

Grade III, Ministry of Works.

26/3/57

THOMSON, George Ward, Supervising Engineer,

Whitehall, March 2, 1937.

IMPERIAL SERVICE MEDAL.

His Majesty The KING was pleased to award

the Imperial Service Medal to the following

officers of the Home Civil Service on their

retirement:—

Allen, Richard Hall, Sorter, London Postal

Region.

Anderson, Edward, Skilled Workman, Class II,

Post Office Engineering Department, London.

Andrew, Robert, Postman, Patrington SubOffice, Hull.

Aplin, John Frederick, Postman, Birmingham.

Ball, John Richard, Postman, Southend-onSea.

Barry, Thomas William James, Head Postman,

London Postal Region.

Beecher, Charles, Overseer, London Postal

Region.

Bisset, Thomas Taylor, Postman, Dunbar.

Bitton, Benjamin John Henry, Assistant Superintendent, Post Office, Manchester.

Bolt, Arthur Winter Harris, Sorter, London

Postal Region.

Bond, George, Sorter, London Postal Region.

Borkett, Leonard William, Postman, London

Postal Region.

Bowden, John Frederick, Postman, Kingstonon-Thames.

Bowman, Francis George, Postman, London

Postal Region.

Bowman, John, Postman, Paisley.

Brampton, Edward, Sorter, London Postal

Region.

Brenchley, Harry, Sorting Clerk and Telegraphist, Birmingham.

Brightwell, Joseph David, Postman, London

Postal Region.

Britton, Frederick Wynne, Chief Inspector,

Post Office Engineering Department, Birmingham Test Section.

Bryce, James, Sorting Clerk and Telegraphist}

Dundee.

Burdock, James Ford, Sorting Clerk and Telegraphist, Southampton.

Burnard, Louis Patrick, Sorting Clerk and

Telegraphist, Bristol.

Bushell, George William, Sorter, London

Postal Region.

Carter, James Ernest, Sorter, London Postal

Region.

Carter, William Edward, Overseer, Post Office,

Worthing.

Cassels, William Gordon, Sorting Clerk and

Telegraphist, Aberdeen.

Chapman, John, Postman, Gilberdyke SubOffice, Hull.

Checkley, William, Overseer, London Postal

Region.

Cheetham, Godfrey, Postman, Kingston-onThames.

Chisholm, William David, Sorting Clerk and

Telegraphist, Belfast.

Clark, Benjamin Spencer, Overseer, London

Postal Region.

Collyer, Herbert Henry, Assistant Inspector,

Post Office, Leatherhead.

Cooper, Ernest, Inspector of Telegraph

Messengers, Central Telegraph Office.

Cooper, George John, Skilled Workman, Class

II, Post Office Engineering Department,

London.

Cornwell, Walter John, Overseer, Post Office,

Birmingham.

Cox, Thomas, Overseer, London Postal Region.

Cox, William, Skilled Workman, Class II, Post

Office Engineering Department, Manchester.

Davies, Ezer William, Sorting Clerk and Telegraphist, Birmingham.

Dickinson, Alonza, Postman, Sheffield.

Downes, Annie, Assistant Supervisor, Class II,

Post Office, Liverpool.

Drewell, Alfred Ray, Postman, London Postal

Region.

Edwards, George Griffiths, Assistant Inspector

of Postmen, Wrexham.

Elbourn, Frederic, Sorting Clerk and Telegraphist, Birmingham.

English, Edward James, Assistant Superintendent, London Postal Region.

Evans, Henry James, Skilled Workman, Class

II, Post Office Engineering Department,

London.

hope this helps GV ISMS were awarded well into 1937.

Paul

A fascinating collection alright, though I think I would class a number of the awards as "interesting" rather than "beuatiful". I won't offend anyone by naming names! [i think I may be a closet art snob. ]

James,

Many thanks for posting this invaluable link it is a most useful research tool.

Paul

Good Afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen......

Can anyone help me identify these medals from China or I think that they are from China......

I have a chance to purchase them and would also like to find out the appox. value if possible.......

Thankyou in advance for any help you may provide.....

Mike

I am unable to find anything vaguely similar, interestingly the riband for the first piece is that of the Order of the Blue Sky and White Sun but it most definitely is not that order. Do they come from a good source? As you are probably well aware there are a large number of recently made Chinese fantasies.

Paul

Here is the pic:

Nice case, no maker's label on the box.?

Paul

The reverse showing Brittania

Mervyn,

It was part of a relatively recent set of medals depicting the Kings and Queens of England, one of these limited editions put out by a variety of private mints. It is however of somewhat better quality than the usual rubbish they produce. His nose is much more sympathetically portrayed than on contemporary medals. Calls for a toast to little gentleman in the black velvet jacket.

All the best,

Paul

Good striking. I'm not sure if the 'action' is the blowing up of L'Orient or, a general action. Paul, what do you think ?

Mervyn

One cannot be certain as to the attribution of the ships so I think it is a case of the artist trying to catch the essence of Naval combat.

Paul,

It was lovely to see you at the O.M.R.S. One day, if I am ever allowed to retire, I will be able to go round the fair in leisure. Still I picked up a Mutiny Medal, clasp Central India to a native farrier.

Best wishes,

Paul

Hello

This 38mm bronze medal obviously refers to Nelson's victory over the French fleet (The Nile).

I wonder who the manufacturer was and how it compares with Boulton's later medal for Trafalgar?. What do to-days's medal collectors think of it ?

Every bit of information will be gratefully received.

Veteran

Alas, although listed in Browns fine work, British Historical medals, Volume 1, the maker of this medal is unknown. It is also known in white metal and less frequently in silver and bronze-gilt. Collectors of Nelsonia rather than those of us with a phalaristic bent would consider the commemorative medals a relevant part of their collection, especially as there were contemporary productions. There were two varieties of this medal in the Suckling collection. M&E 3/7/08 (222 and 223). While the demand for Nelson material is not what it was just prior to the 2005 anniversary the medal still should be worth in the region of 150 euros.

All the best,

Paul

^{Thank you very much for the useful information received from both of you. I really appreciate.}

^{Antonio, according to the pictures you sent, my impression is that the cross I showed is the Carlist 3rd class Caridad badge. Was that an order ? If so, for how long would you think it was awarded? I am, of course, trying to establish its relative rarity and I cannot remember seeing one on sale.}

^{Best regards}

^Veteran

It is a Carlist decaration ' La Caridad', Comes in 4 classes Cruz en Oro, Cruz en Plata, Medalla en Oro and Medalla en bronze (silver variations are seen) All the badges are badges so the piece you have is the 2nd Class or Cruz en Plata, all insignia of this decoration are rare and I would have thought your piece would be worth between 1,000 and 1,500 euros.

All the best,

Paul

Iris, Mrs. MACDERMOTT, Chairman, Lambeth

Stre

Hello Lambert,

That is a nice small group to a member of the MIDDLESEX Regiment.

Of interest is the ribbon of the MBE. It appears that the ribbon was originally the military style ribbon with a central white stripe. This appears to have been rubbed out to represent the civilian ribbon.

Do you have any background on this miniature group that may explain such a modification?

Regards,

Rob

Here is the answer to your enquiry

This is the details for the MBE

Alfred MADLE, Esq. For political and public

services in Middlesex.

I think this answers the question

Paul

why didn't britain take the initiative and get off of their posteriors and salvage the silver themselves??

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

Paul

Yep , what do you know , one of the rarest awards in the world ( 191 ) awarded and in class with

the UK Victoria Cross , last I saw one for sale it had a start bid of 40 000 Euro !!!

But on Ebay.de you can get one for no more than 100 E at the moment

http://cgi.ebay.de/1...=item45fc8e92d8

There is a small problem, as I belive it the real MH crosses are not allowed to leave Finland ?

Can anyone confirm that...

Christer

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

is it eagle or phoenix?

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

Thank you very much for the correction! I wasn't aware that mine is 3rd class and that so many different classes exist!

Anyway, I am very pleased with this one. I can see currently only one on sale in online dealer site and looks like they are not the cheapest awards! Mine found her way to my collection over trade.

Any ideas how many 3rd classes were produced? Also did civil clerks were entitled for these too? As I said, it is suprise to me that there were so many different classes!

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

You are correct the central medallion is enamelled.

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

Thanks Paul! By the way, whats the difference with the 1st class? Is the centre medallion enameled or something like that?

You are correct the central medallion is enamelled.

Paul

Hi guys,

Here is my last find. I would like to know is the details below correct...

Commemorative Medal for the Election of Prince Ferdinand I, 2nd Class, 1887

The Medal was instituted on 21st December 1887 and awarded to military who had been members of the garrisons of the towns through which Ferdinand I passed on his arrival in Bulgaria on 2nd August 1887.

Prince Ferdinand Battenberg (of House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha) was a well-connected, German prince, related to many of the crowned heads of Europe. He became King (Tsar) of Bulgaria in 1908 on the declaration of the kingdom until 3rd October 1918 when country became defeated in the Great War.

This award is Maltese cross type, with fleur-de-lys between the arms. Obverse centre medallion bearing the crowned cipher of Ferdinand I within a ring inscribed "БОЖИЯ И НАРОДНА ВОЛЯ" (By the will of the Prince and the People).

The reverse central medallion bearing the Saxon coat of arms within a ring inscribed "25 ЮЛІЙ 2 АВГУСТЪ 1887" (25th July 2nd August 1887).

All awards made by Rothe in Vienna and 2nd Class only 1,019 were issued.

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

Paul

reverse..

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

Thanks Paul, that answers my question.

I spent the past few days peering with increasing frustration through a magnifying glass. It was only after photographing with a macro zoom that I had an epiphany - they were all identical.

You are spot on about the European manufactures. The toughra on the 5th Class Crimean is by far the least comprehensible whereas those with the Ottoman mint mark are clearly defined.

I find the variation in the design of the medal particularly interesting. It's a shame that Erureten and Tarihi's excellent book doesn't provide more detail on distinguishing between different periods of manufacture (it might be in the Turkish text ...).

Gavin

PS. I haven't forgotten my promise to shout you lunch when I'm in London

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

anybody??? I know it's not a great photo and I don't have close-ups but has anyone seen the better fakes out there, and does this look like one of them?

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

4th and (Crimean era?) 5th Class below:

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

Hi Guys,

Has anyone got any knowledge of this regiment between these dates? There seems to be very little information available on the net?

I recently bought an IGS with clasp NWP 1936-37 to 10252 Sepoy Mohd.Akabar 2-1 Punjab Regiment, and would very much like to find out what this regiment was involved in. Has anyone ever researched a Sepoy, are there service papers available?

Gordon.

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