paul wood

Could the bottom be Lebanese? looks a bit like a half cedar tree on the sword. The right hand looks almost Saudi with the green and the scimitars. The left could be any navy with the fouled anchor.

Paul

Mike what I describe (probably erroneously) as a bog standard QSA is a date and state issue where the unit was there in reasonable numbers and there is nothing that makes it unusual, certainly if I was collecting medals to Brits I would not spurn a nice example (Now QSAs to Indians different ball game, especially when silver).

The reason I collect medals to Indians is many. My father served at RAF Dum Dum (Calcutta) from 1943-47 and on his return had gone totally native (much to my mother's chagrin). I always remember getting free bus rides as a child as he was able to converse and joke with the Indian bus conductors and as a senior Civil Servant he went out of his way to recruit Indian staff on the principle they were better educated and less lazy then their British counterparts. My father instilled in me a love of Indian culture.

When I started collecting I immediately turned to medals to Indians, much misunderstood and dismissed (and still are in many cases) by collectors of British medals. I realised that the Indians had seen serious action (think of Kut, the Koragh Defile, Burma to name a few). I also realised that with the errors in BBM there were bargains a plenty to be had, I loved the idiosyncracies of British renditions of Indian names (I still chuckle when I see DNW putting note difference in spelling of name- I would put group of 4 note all names spelt Identical- rare). Then all the odd ranks, units so much to collect, too little time.

I collect because I love it and I am probably severely insane, if they provide me with a comfortable dotage then that is a bonus.

Thats my 9 pice worth.

All the best,

Paul

In my collecting field, conditon is quite often poor. If you see a medal to an Indian in mint conditon, he is generally either a casualty or especially in the case of medals to followers he just never received it.

With British medals quite often one sees minty medals for the simple reason that quite often the recipient received it following demob and he just put them in a drawer, however with Long Service groups the earliest medal to use a technical term is quite knackered.

If you wan't to extort money from me find an Indian quirky rank or unit or even better RIM, RIN, AIF, RIAFor RPAF, then you can do with me as you wish and logical valuation or sanity goes straight out the window, I become a drivelling idiot muttering MUST BUY MEDAL(S).

All the best,

Paul

As a collector of medal to Indians during the Raj period I would willingly pay MYB prices for virtually everything (I love that phrase medals to Indians are worth less...if only I would have got that 2 clasp Mutiny to the pioneers in DNW, it made £880, probably more than one to a Lieut in an ordinary line regt.).

Prices vary, and its all down to the economics of supply and demand. If demand outstrips supply then prices will generally rise quite rapidly. If a large collection of that material suddenly appears on the market then prices will soften. This is less true with lower priced items such as basic QSAs and WWI trios as thew will always be mopped up. For a collector this can be good for example the Shaw collection (which the 3rd part will be sold in June) has been great for me the sheer amount of material has allowed bargains for me. but don't go down the American coin way medal pricing is not and will never be an exact science.

Paul

IU'm not sure that it is supposed to be anywhere so

I'm not sure that it is meant to be anywhere specific other than somewhere in German Africa and obviously produced by someone who had never been anywhere near Africa, sand, palm trees and cactus and also the Africans are of various physiques which would cover the gamut of Africa. It is the typical colonial poking fun at the simple natives done by all European colonial powers. As humour very reminiscent of cartoons in Le Rire of about this period, with very little subtellty involved.

Paul

I have received the following E-mail from Colin Parr. Having visited the museum it is a very well set out user friendly museum which deserves help and I wonder if any member has any such ribbon spare

Hello

I wonder whether you might be able to help me with six inches of ribbon for the WW1 Greek War Cross?

The ribbon is black with a blue stripe running down the outer edge of the black ribbon.

Appreciate any help.

Thank you

regards

Colin Parr

If so could they sed it to Colin at The Keep Museum, Bridport Rd, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1RN

All the best,

Paul

I think he could audition for Village People.

Paul

Mervyn,

Are you able to grow opium poppys in your garden so you can try these wonderful items out (could provide some interesting postings a la Jean Cocteau).

All the best,

Paul

Portugal

Linas, look at the suspensions of the monarchy period Order of Christ, they have similar suspensions.

Paul

Never seen a mini rising sun with pawlonia flowers a true rarity.

Paul

Thanks for showing with case very nice indeed.

Paul

Hasn't sold the dime yet, at least that's genuine.

Paul

He's still got his lucky dime. While we have all got caught out at least once in our lives, whoever falls for that one deserves to be screwed.

Paul

Amazing photo, definitely awarded for honourable participation in the 1913 Shanghai International Moustache Exhibition (Kitchener represented the British Army in the same exhibition).

Paul

Fantastic Igor, most useful.

Paul

I would agree with Igor. Russian manufacured pieces are either in gold or from about 1916 in bronze gilt, in all cases should be marked. Nex time bribe the care take with bottle of old and rare to let you have a look at it.

Paul

No enamel loss definitely Merit Cross with Swords,

Paul

Andreas it is the Silver Merit Cross with Swords of the Order of St. Alexander, unfortunately it is difficult to suggest an exact time for issue, although given that the silver appears to be of good quality probably pre 1918.

Paul

Mervyn thank you for your reply,

Yes the piece is in good gold and struck from locally made dies, there are about 4 varieties known, each unique or a very few known. I think you suggestin about Indian Chief badges makes sense as they are known in the USA and Canada. These are all imitations of Mexican issues so my suggestion is that they would come from an area that came under the Viceroyalty of Mexico, this included some of Central America, present day Mexico, California, Texas and Florida and I would have thought given the crudity not too close to the centre of government in Mexico City.

Paul

Spaz, should have asked me first, its an aftercast of a medal by Ciovanni Francisco Enzola (active circa 1450-75) commemorating the marriage of Constanzo Sforza, Lord of Pesaro and Camilla of Aragon, 1475. Interestingly there is written music from the wedding still surviving.

Paul

Peter,

The gentleman at the Portuguese mint was producing various forgeries which were recycled in various auction houses. I suspect this was a prototype for his industrial merit using the body of a lion and sun, he also produced type 1 agricultural merits and early tower and swords. He sent some pieces to me and when I told him they were wrong he challenged me to a duel. Just before he was rumbled he took a one way passage to South America where presumably he is still living.

Paul

Perhaps he imitated Christ and rose from the dead and then bred unicorns on the Hungarian plains. I wonder how many divs will fall for that one.

Paul

Yesterday I purchased in the Archer Huntington Collection of Spanish Colonial coins a native Indian Imitation of a Carlos III 8 escudos 1770 (or 1772) from the Mexico City Mint (illustrated for comparism is a genuine piece), interstingly it weighs within the parameters of a genuine coins. Apart from it being a fantastic piece of native American art, made by someone unfamiliar with the Western alphabet. What was it's purpose?. These pieces are extremely rare, with only a small number known, an unpierced example appeared in a recent auction in America.

Given that it is so different from the original item to be a plausible forgery what is its purpose.

Is it a ceremonial piece?, a medal worn by someone of status or a coinage made from locally produced gold made to pay taxes?

I certainly intend to research this as much as I can does anyone have any knowledge of Native american arts and traditions or kmow of any websites where I may be able to find assistance. I believe the area it covers is from Central America to the West coast of the USA.

I hope you enjoy it and any ideas anyone has are most welcome.

All the best,

Paul

Does Chris really look like this?

Paul