paul wood

but one the Internet I saw also this one on the Internet...

which looks much more poorly fabricate than the one above, does anyone know more about the different versions of this medal?

I would love to know more about this wonderful medal.

Thank you

a l e x

Alex,

The main difference is that some are Parisian made while others our locally made hence difference in quality.

Paul

I have been given the job of remounting an elderly Spanish friends fathers medals. Two are very tatty and I need replacements, the first is the Morrocan canpaign (Alfonso XIII with helmet; green) and the Morrocan peace medal 1927. If anyone can help PM me.

Thanks in advance.

Paul

Any idea who he was and what unit ? Mervyn

General Plumer 1857-1932 Joined 65th Foot 1876, served Sudan, 2nd Matabele War, Boer War, Commanded 2nd Army WWI and won a victory against the Germans at Messine, Governor and C in C. Malata 1919-24, High Commissioner Palestine 1925-28, GCB, CGMG, GCVO, GBE. Egypt medal 1884, BSAC Medal, QSA 4 clasps, WWI trio, Order of St John, Knight of Justice, Grand Officer Legion D'Honneur, Grand Officer Belgian Order of the Crown, Grand Officer St, Maurice and Lazarus Italy an Turkish 4th Class Mejidjie for Sudan.

Paul

Hallo,

Can anyone tell me anything about these badges? The badge on the top is in silver, of two-piece construction with a screw-back fitting. I've included a scan of the hallmarks.

The lower badge is of bronze, screw-back, with the imperial eagles and the crown double-sided and of multi-piece contruction, with seven tiny, very neat rivets holding the flaming grenade, the wreath and imperial monograms in place.

Thank you in advance,

PK

second is the Michael Artillery School. First is the Imperial Techinal School Werlich Fig 132 and 756 respectively, both quite late and not particularly rare.

Paul

I originally thought that this badge may have been an old XXth of foot badge, but I now think it could be from a Guards Regiment.

It is 2.5 inches high, silver but no hall mark and has 4 fixing pins at the rear (one missing )

Anyone any ideas ?

Thanks.

Joe.

It's a grenadiers badge of some description but where from I have no idea.

Paul

I've had this badge for years. It is numbered on the reverse.

Thanks for showing. A most interesting sideline to my collecting passion.

Paul

Thanks! This is clearly just another case of the American not knowing what he's talking about. Ah well, at least I have this forum to clear this sort of stuff up for me!

Now, another questions, are miniatures much in desire by collectors? I personally like them, but do they have anything like comparable desirability to their full-size counterparts as far as price is concerned?

~TS

Top quality early or clearly attributed groups can make very good prices. There is a sizeable number of miniature collectors. For example a good quality attributed field officers peninsular miniature group with Waterloo, Gold medal, Peninsualr Cross and orders can make a couple of thousand pounds.

The highest price I can record for a single miniature is an Order of the Crown of India which made a staggering ?1,700.

Paul

I've seen miniature Waterloo Medals that seemed contemporary with the full-size issue.

See Morton and Eden 12 December 2008 lot 795 which clearly date prior to 1838 (Sir Neil Douglas) see wwwmortonandeden.com and follow the links.

All the best,

Paul

Big question: quick answer.

I am an economist by vocation. Credit crunches/depressions do two things:

1. limit the number of buyers (fewer people have disposable income to spend)

2. lower or 'flatten' prices of more common items

This is true of the general art/antiques market as well as medals.

Rare items are always in demand.

They may not skyrocket in price overnight, but they are still in demand.

Were it thus. The last Spink sale (Private collection) the prices on virtually everything were strong and I was blown out the water on many things I wanted, even though I was bidding very strongly (there were some things which I have in my collection which made considerably more than I had paid for them a couple of years ago and not just high end stuff: ?1-500 range as well).

All the best,

Paul

This an extract from an excellent article published by the Imperial War Museum on the WW1 tins.

" Although it had originally been intended that everyone irrespective of rank, race or religion should receive precisely the same gift, it was soon borne on the Committee that if the dietary rules of various religious groups were to be respected, changes would have to be made in the gifts intended for the Indian Troops. To this end, they sought the help from five "old Indian hands" who after due deliberation, came up with the solution. The Gurkhas were to receive the same gift as the British Troops; Sikhs the box filled with sugar candy, a tin box of spices and the Christmas card, and all the other Indian Troops, the box with a packet of cigarettes and sugar candy, a tin of spices and the card. Authorised "Camp Followers" who for the purpose of this exercise were grouped under the title of Bhistis, were to receive a tin box of spices and the card.

Article Title: "A GIFT FOR CHRISTAMS: THE STORY OF PRINCESS MARY'S GIFT FUND,1914"

By Diana Condell

Book Title : Imperial War Museum Review No. 4

ARTICLES ON ASPECTS OF TWENTIETH CENTURY HISTORY PRINCIPALLY BY THE STAFF OF THE IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM

Published by the Trustees of the Imperial War Museum, 1989

Article Title : A GIFT FOR CHRISTMAS : THE STORY OF PRINCESS MARY'S GIFT FUND, 1914. By Diana Condell "

Many thanks for that, has clarified several points.

Paul

Yes - I heard that story. Apparantly She formed morning knitting groups. The soldiers who received them were chosen by 'lot'.

But what about the contents of Indian tins ???

Chappati flour. As to insert I was thinking of the little card enclosed.

Paul

Nice to see "full" WWI tin. I've never picked up a WWI version, I should have. I know that there are small variations depending on manufacturer & that there are fakes, but not much else about them.

It appears that some recipients were very proud of the WWI tins, would imagine that the silver plated one was plated by such a person.

My Anglo - Boer War tin measures 6 1/4" x 3 1/4" x 1".

If you have'nt seen them, check out these threads on Boer War, WWI & WWII Xmas tins:

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=5674&hl=wwi+tins

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=4715&hl=wwi+tins

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=2646&hl=wwi+tins

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=2807&hl=wwi+tins

I would suspect, although can't confirm that the Indian tins may have had a different insert but I have not been able to clarify that. The information I have on these tins was from a girl who worked as temp for us who, until she had children, worked for the Imperial War Museum.

Paul

When these come-up at auction, they always put NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION - I can see why now ! A tin , in good condition - with choc. can be worth ?100.

on the subject of tins still looking for a WWI Princess Mary's tin as given to Indian units and containing chupatti flour. I doubt if very many have survived.

Paul

No-definitely the 4th Foot.

Roll has Captain Shaw's Co no 1 for 1st Batt. 4th Foot but not in the Waterloo Roll call but in the 1815

Army list as large as life.

Hope this is of some help, presumably HP after Waterloo.

Paul

The person listing this on ebay is a woman who I'm pretty sure really doesn't know what the medal is worth but is relying on a jewelers appraisal based on the piece being gold and weighing 2.3 oz. Current gold prices would indicate the $2000 appraisal is correct if the piece is solid gold. It is already bid up to $1300 so I'm afraid this one is for the melting pot not a collection.

Garth

That weight would include the enamel and it is unlikely that the gold would be higher than 18 carat and possibly lower as high grade gold would be innapropriate for wearing purposes (you very rarely see jewellery at higher than 18 carat). I cannot see it at anything like $2,000 melt, I am also wondering whether the 2.3 is avioir de poids rather than troy.

Paul

I paid just under $600 equivalent for a 4th Class 2nd Empire version in gold about 3 years ago so I think his reserve is too high. If it was a 1st Empire version then it would be worth about this (with the original ribbon) but the 1st Empire orders do not have eagles in the crown.

See Collignon Ordres de Chevalerie, 2004 fig 209 for an identical Second Empire piece. His price makes

even rip-off dealers seem like bargain basement.

Paul

the medal roll for the ashanti medal 1900 is at the national archives in london ref wo 100 /93 the roll including the clasp kumassi. for britlish, african ,indian units, police,medical staff,civilians and native kings & chiefs paul

BBM states 36 medals were issued to Civilian Doctors. Could well have been a missionary doctor based in the Gold Coast.

Paul

Same questions - just no solder. I did ask a jeweller if it could be removed - he said it was silver solder and to remove would damage the silver in the coin.

Oddly enough ZAR coins are more common in the UK than in South Africa as many were bought home by British troops as souvenirs. some are defaced by engraving hat and pipe in Krugers mouth and many of the gold ponds and half-ponds were mounted as watch fobs. The sixpences are relatively common and are worth in the condition yours are in about ?5, the 5 shillings unfortunately has been devalued by the solder mark, undamaged it would be ?100 in the condition your piece is damaged thus perhaps ?20-30. Hope this is of help.

Paul

Knight's gold cross (i.e., knight first class)

Given the quality I would have thought pre-great war.

Paul

Nicholas II and Alexander III

Apologies a case of dyslexic typing rather than mistaken identification on my part.

Paul

I have a feeling that many on this forum have a greater interest in later planes ? However, this is an interesting picture from 'With the Flag to Pretoria' - publ. in 1900. The balloons were tethered and proved useful for observation on the flat plains of Sth. Africa, during the Boer War (1899-1900). The Royal Naval Air Service had their first dirigible in 1907 - she was named Nulli Secundus (second to none)

Royal Engineers balooning section. Balloons were used for recconnaissance by the British up until South East Asia 45-46.

Paul

Worth trying the national archives web site.

Paul

Chastened because of my failure to observe carefully. I can excuse myself for failing to notice the feet, but the grey stuff on the chest was pretty obvious. Thanks for your help.

Hugh

Have seen several of these fellows around ussually at around $30, cheap costume jewelry.

Paul

Rumour confirmed

They seem to be selling for, now wait for it.......anything from ?50 to ?100

Horrible thought is I have probably given the odd one to the barman at the time when they look like 2 20p pieces but thanks for the info most hepful (there will still be people hugely dissappointed when they are not worth ?thousands).

Paul

The attached picture is of Sardar Nasrullah Khan, brother of Habibullah Shah of Afghanistan.

Does anyone happen to recognise the second star which he wears on his left breast?

The first star and aigrette are clearly the insignia of the Order of the Sun.

Cheers

James

James,

Difficult to see what it is from photo but it doesn't look particulary Afghani to me, either Indian States or possibly Bokhara springs to mind.

All the best,

Paul