paul wood

The Official report of the 1952 Olympics is available on line and lists the various criteria for the award of the Olympic decoration as well as the various Finnish officials. It is probable that the recipient of this was an hon. president of a Finnish Sporting Organisation. and given his other medals he would have been unlikely to have been younger than mid 50s and possibly somewhat older. Paul

Very nice star. Most unusual we know that Wolfers produced insignia of the Persian Lion and Sun to coincide with the state visit of the Shah of Persia, could this be similarly produced for a Portuguese state visit? Paul

Can you send an image of the piece. Paul

Third group should read Inspr. W. Burnham T Divn. Paul

Dear All a very interesting family group of medals has appeared which are the following 1887 Jubilee with 1897 clasp (Inspr. W. Burnham G. Divn.). This is the same Inspector Burnham who was in charge of Policing the funeral procession of the Ripper victim Catherine Eddowes once it had left the City. Interestingly the medal is bronze-gilt, is this in anyway official 1897 Jubilee and 1902 Coronation (PC/PS W Burnham F Divn.) also with named 1902 miniature 1902 and 1911 Coronation (Inspr. T. Burham T. Division; 1911 also named Inspr. W Burnham but without Division). Also with the Group is a Great War Pair with 1937 Coronation (625598 Gnr. W.C. Burnham H.A.C. Art.) and an anonymous WWII Defence Medal Additionally there is a Royal Mint small silver 1902 Coronation commemorative the reverse of the envelope inscribed From C.G. to W.B. 19.9.03. What makes this grouping slightly confusing is that all the Burnhams have the initials W. I believe I am right in assuming they related to Four members of the family. If anyone has further information which would throw light on the group I would be most grateful. All the best, Paul

This piece originally appeared at a Morton and Eden on 29 November 2012,along with another similar set also by Flieschhacker, one was in an Antonovich case, the other in a Popovich Brothers case of issue. They both originated from a famous Japanese collector, a rice merchant whose collection was formed after the war and was late published in the 1950's by the collector, one set sold and Igor's set was subsequently re-offered on the 2 July 2013 where it found a buyer and from thence to Igor. I am very impressed by the research he has put in, alas when preparing an auction catalogue one can only research to a certain extent as there is always a deadline which creeps up at a much faster rate than expected, so I am especially impressed by Igor's tenacity. All the best, Paul

Timo, An nice bit of ZAR loyalist material. Paul

Most interesting Mervyn. Please keep us posted if more information comes up. All the best, Paul

http://www.savannahpublications.com/info.php?itemid=123 It costs £24 well worth having. Paul

Should be in the 1941 Indian Army List (war services) which has been reprinted. Mine alas is not to hand. Paul

I thought Pokey was another term for Jail, explain yourself Timo. Paul

Whatever they might be they are certainly not official, I presume there is no maker's mark on the reverse. Paul

Very nice indeed I would have thought with that combination of awards it should be possible to trace the recipient. Maybe Jani may have some ideas of how it could be researched. All the best, Paul

The VC group awarded to Grant for Tibet in 1904 sold today for £340,000 (£408,000 including premium). All the best, Paul

It seems strong to me, one would expect that sort of figure for a Conspicuous Gallantry Cross although Rogi you would do well these days to get a VC for £100,000 (possibly a Mutiny or Crimea Ballot VC could be acquired for that price). We will wait and see the outcome. Paul

Mervyn, It's the 1937 silver and bronze proof set with the Maundy. there was a separate set of the 4 gold coins (which is quite valuable £3,000+). This set which is complete and in reasonable condition tends to make in the region of £250. All the best. Paul

Must be 1912 or later as he is wearing the Domanna Lane medal which was instituted that year. Paul

Thanks for sharing Chris, most people don't realise that it wasn't just the British and French which took horrendous casualties during the Somme. Paul

Thanks for that Nick. Paul

It's the Anciens Militaires Cross 1870-71, instituted circa 1900, value probably around 50 euros. All the best, Paul

These are veterans associations awards, the first is the Ehrebund Deutscher Weltkriegsteilnehmer the other is the Preussischer Landeskriegverband. Hope this is of help Paul

Dear KimKan, We tried photographing the set in its case but the results were to put it bluntly most disappointing and so we reverted to image which is now in the catalogue. Paul

It commemorates the 50th Anniversary of his ordination as a priest, he succeeded Leo XIII as pope in July 1903, he died 20 August 1914 shortly after the outbreak of WWI and was succeeded by Benedict XV, he was canonised in 1954. All the best, Paul

Norsk Jernbaneforbund (NJF) Norwegion Railway Workers Union, a possibility. Paul

Karakas, Rather than just damning something without comment, could you give your reasons as to why you don't like the piece. Paul