paul wood

Dear all,

You will pleased to know that I have cracked this one (I have already contacted veteran privately) but I thought you might be interested to know all about it. It is a silver "table medal" with the arms of the University of Groningen one side and a dedicatory inscription on the other. It is illustrated in van Loon (to which I have access) vol. III, p. 96 (French edition), pages 95-96 give the full account of the actions in which the students were involved, here is the pertinant piece "...les noms de tous les etudians qui avoient pris des armes; & on leur donna a chacun, en reconnoissance de leur fidelite, un medal d'argent, semblable a ce quelle voici." (line drawing below of the piece). Having dealt with a large number of 16th-18th century Dutch table medals I would anticipate (as was the custom then) that there would be a gold striking presented either to the head of the university or the university itself.

One such piece appeared recently in a Kunker of Osnabruck auction and sold for ?800 (excluding premium).

I hope that this is of interest to fellow members.

All the best,

Paul

The siege of Groningen produced many medallic issues, including many engraves silver discs (some of amazing quality) siege coins with the reverses engraved and normal commemorative medals. The best reference for the medallic issues is Gerhard van Loon's work on the Low Countries which was published between 1732 and 1737 and is still the standard reference on Low Countries medals from 1519-1706. Much of the knowledge that we get of these award medals is from him. It is quite possible that you may be able to access it in some national library and I am sure that it would clarify which was the medal presented to the students.

All the best,

Paul

Thanks "Veteran", you highlight the MANY things we have yet to learn, yet to understand! What fun.

Hendrick,

Many thanks for enlightening me.

Paul

Hello Paul,

They are described as such in French reference works on the subject.

Perhaps a little background history would not go amiss :

Maurice Barr?s, president of the "Ligue des Patriotes" is the instigator of the French Wounded insignia. Already in 1914 he was thinking about a distinctive badge and on 28 March 1915 he launched a first appeal in a Paris newspaper (L'Echo de Paris) for the creation of a badge to recognize "men whose wounds, infirmity or illness were caused by an act of war". He would renew the appeal on 10 June of the same year.

After long debates in the French Chambre of Representatives (equivalent to the House of Commons in Britain), the Insignia for the Military Wounded was approved on 11 December 1916.

However, manufacturers anticipating the eventual result of the debates and the official texts and regulations that would emerge, produced two badges which were distributed from 1915 onwards ... the round and oval ones above.

I have no information on the designer(s) of these nor on why the rooster is in the place it is ...

One French publication worth reading in this respect is "Petite Histoire de la Grande Guerre au travers des D?corations attribu?es aux Poilus" by Andr? Pascual.

Cheers,

Hendrik

Alex,

Lovely to see those original crowns a real set of gems.

Enjoy

Paul

Hi Carol I, sorry I,ve not replied as yet, I'm not at the moment in a position to find further info, away from home, but I'll try to find out more when I'm back.

regards

Alex

Ex A.N.S. 2 Morton and Eden 25-26/10/06 lot 623 part.

I remember it well, unfortunately no other provenace but probably came thier way about 100 years ago.

All the best,

Paul

How do they do that?

Best wishes,

Wild Card

Dear Hendrick,

I may be as thick as the proverbial short planks but how do we know these unofficial badges are French, you would have thought the cockerel would have been at 12 o' clock. Just curious.

Paul

And the oval pinbacked slightly later one :

Cheers,

Hendrik

The smaller piece is the insignia of the the Gatchinsky Aviation School founded 1910 according to Werlich Jetons of Imperial Russia fig J-90 or had the the late great got it wrong.

Paul

Close up of Provisional/White russian pilots wings.

These were only issued in very few numbers be the Provisional government.

Still carries the Imperial crown. i have seen one other without the crown.

The smaller eagle is for mounting on Shoulder boards, in a black finish.