Elmar Lang

Hello Glenn, my statement was about this picture... All the best, Enzo (E.L.)

Hello, I would like to revive this discussion, because the posted replica VC looks almost identical to the two pieces sold at Spink's on November 27th-28th 2019 sale, lots 580-581. The two pieces show a better finish though and both are named to two Irish men Danaher and Doogan resp., during the 1st Boer War. Good pictures of the two pieces can be seen on Spink's webpage. Best wishes, E.L.

A nice group of awards. It's a pity that the award document to the Military Order of Savoy is not present.

Not bad indeed, if considered as a toy.

Hello, I don't see anything suspicious with this set. Best wishes, E. L.

Hello, any maker's mark to the reverse of the two stars? By the way, differences in the text on the white enameled outer circlet do occur. Looking at the quality/finish of the two stars, I'd dare to say that the first one is elder than the second piece shown. All the best, Enzo (E.L.)

...and the second, "JZ" mark, is that of the well-known maker Josef Zimbler. Most of the Wiederholungsspangen were made by Zimbler, but of white metal. Finding a silver one, is definitely a "plus".

Hello, being more into the Austro-Hungarian faleristic (and its room here), I've missed this thread. The Gunzenhausen show is a tradition I can't miss. Nice that the renovated Stadthalle is back into use and that the new management continues to keep this show alive. I've had my table as usual on the stage, met many friends and many collectors. It was nice to also meet Sascha and see his usually very fine offering of orders and decorations. An "adventure" with happy ending, gave some suspense to my participation. The good thing of Gunzenhausen is that it takes place in a pleasant town: its Church, with fine works of art and its wonderful organ, is well worth a visit. Ad maiora! Enzo (E.L.)

Hello, the decoration illustrated in the pictures is an insignia of one of the many spurious "orders" pretending to be a Maltese Order. There is one Order of St. John of Jerusalem (a.k.a. Order of Malta) only, although divided in many priorates. Best wishes, Enzo

Words that should be carved on white marble, then filled with 24kt. gold...

It's nice to see again the Golden medal belonged to Gen. Emil Vojnovic v. Belobreska, with the French Medal of the "Societé Archeologique" (also the latter, made by Rothe). Very interesting, the medal posted by Paul. A mistery to me too...

King Victor Emanuel II, instituted a medal to the combatants in the "Wars for Italy's Independence and Unity" ("Guerre per l'Indipendenza e l'Unità d'Italia"), that has to be considered a "Campaign Medal" where each campaign is indicated with bars; the "Unità d'Italia 1848-1870" (and, later, "(…) 1848-1918" have to be considered as a "Commemorative Medals". all the best, Enzo

Hello, Paul, the silver medal with the image of King Humbert I is the "Unità d'Italia 1848-1870" commemorative medal, awarded to anyone who participated to the wars of Independence in the Sardinian/Italian army or in Garibaldi's volunteer corps. Later, King Victor Emanuel III instituted a similar medal, in bronze, but with his portrait: the "Unità d'Italia 1848-1918" medal, awarded also to those participating to WW1 considered as the last war for Italy's unity. Enzo

These medals, probably given to a Church as an "ex-voto", mean that our man fought in the 1859, 1860-61 and 1866 campaigns; one, is the French medal for the 1859 campaign in Italy (awarded to Sardinian/Italian troops too); more, we see the "Unità d'Italia -1848-1870" medal in silver, with the image of King Humbert I and one of the many commemorative crosses for the Wars of Independence, awarded by some veterans' committee, curiously mounted to the ribbon of the Military Order of Savoy. Agostino Focaccio, in 1866 also received a Silver "Al Valore Militare" medal for the Southern Italian campaign of 1861-61 for his gallantry in front of the enemy, as a gunner in the 3rd Artillery Regiment (siege of Capua and Gaeta). This medal is not present in the frame though... Best wishes, Enzo (E.L.)

Yes, this piece is in my own collection; sort of a trait d'union between my collection of imperial Austrian orders and decorations and my Country. Egon Lerch was quite famous in his time.

I can only add, to this interesting discussion, that after the closing of the shop of Cravanzola-Gardino in via del Corso, Rome, many sets of the various classes of this order appeared on the market, coming from the depot of the firm. At the "Militalia" show in Milan, a dealer had some commander's sets and a grand cross set with sash. In my opinion, it is an ephemeral order, "instituted" by some of the "pretendants" to the portuguese throne, whose families flourished in Italy (and legally battled against each other), since shortly after WW2. All the best, Enzo

Hello, from what I've been able to find, Guggenberger received the Silver and Bronze "Al Valore Militare" medals and, unless further evidence, no "Al Valore di Marina" ones. This award has to be considered as a "Lifesaving Medal" (at sea). I fear that this piece is not original and created because of a misunderstanding of the difference between two different italian, "Al Valore" medals (there is a third one, the "Al Valore Civile"). Best wishes, Enzo (E.L.) Just as an example of an original "Al Valore di Marina" medal, I would like to post the pictures of the piece awarded to another U-Boot officer, but Austrian: Egon Lerch, the famous officer who died in the attempt to force Venice's Harbour. His italian award, received some years earlier, for having saved from drowning, the life of an italian worker in Fiume, was found in the wreck of the U-XII, when it was demolished at the Arsenal of Venice. The suspension is broken away, perhaps due to the circumstances of the explosion and sinking.

the "HMA" mark, is that of the Hauptmünzamt, or the State Mint. I'm curious to know more about the opinion that the "1918" medals could be post-war pieces...

Is "significative negative reaction" an understatement to mean "let's catch him and beat him off"? Or, in the colourful South-Tyrolean dialect "schmier' ihm oane heini!"...

I think that the MVK/Brill. Belonged to Gf. Montecuccoli, once reached the museum's showcases, was put in a presentation case of F. Thill's Neffe (made for a 'normal' MVK/FD). It's just my humble opinion, but I think that the "upgrade" made by the museum's experts was a little mistake. The museum's description "(...) only ten such awards with precious stones and case were ever made (...)" is quite curious, especially regarding the case... But we know that the new "trend" is to consider orders and decorations as worth of some interest, only when cased...

Hello, the Skanderbeg Order 1st class in gold, mentioned in this discussion, was lot 681 (page 242, printed catalogue) of the "Asta Rossa - The Red Auction", held in Genoa, Italy, on Nov. 22nd, 2008. The piece, a beautiful one and hallmarked by IKOM, was formerly acquired by Amb.Dr. Spada early in 1994. Best wishes, E.L.

Hello, this is the medal instituted in 1965 by the (Veterans') Command of the Garibaldi Assault Brigades, awarded with a diploma, to the still living veterans and the next-of-kins of fallen partisans who fought in those units, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Libération. Bibliography: C.I.F.R.: "Medaglie e Pagine di Storia nella Lotta di Liberazione in Emilia Romagna", Reggio Emilia, 1990 Franco Scandaluzzi: "Medaglie e Distintivi della Resistenza e della Liberazione" , Milan, 2001, page 136 and plate III. Best wishes, E.L.

Most returned, former imperial orders and decorations made of precious metal have been destroyed for the Republic's need of money, even those being part of the "treasure" of the former orders. Those surviving, were just the pieces destined to museums. It needs to be remembered that even after the Anschluß of 1938, the "new" authorities tried to search and collect at least the collars of Imperial Austrian orders all around Europe. I've been told by the heirs of the former owner of my collar of the Iron Crown (the family resided in Meran, Alto Adige - South Tyrol, Italy, after 1918), that immediately after the death, their family was pressured to give the collar back, but they replied with a declaration that the collar was lost in the closing days of the hostilities (gold was precious also to people!). Further attempts were made after 1938 and, in 1944, their home was searched by the Gestapo, with orders given by Gauleiter Hofer in the hope to find the collar, not believing the declaration of loss, would have been true. The piece was very well hidden elsewhere and survived the war, until arriving into my hands. Thanks to the interesting document posted above, I think that many of such letters have been sent to next-of-kins or heirs of late persons awarded with orders. I can imagine that some could have tried their best to "save" their family treasures. Best wishes, E.L. P.S.: the von Rinaldini were from Trieste, since november 1918 part of the Italian Kingdom. It would be interesting to know whether the letter was sent to Italy...

Hello Bob, I've sent you a PM. I quit working at the San Giorgio early in 2013, leaving that "ship" going full steam and hit its iceberg... As a general information, after the San Giorgio closed at the end of 2018, I've been told that all the remaining catalogues from past auctions have been sent to a recycling centre. It's possible that some survived. The catalogue of the "Red Auction" is now something collectors like to have. All the best, Enzo (E.L.)

Try "collector's items of extraterrestrial interest" and enjoy what the clerk will say...