Elmar Lang

Well, 500,- Dollars spared for other fine pieces. That's an original 40 years cross, "upgraded" with a post-1945 crown suspension from a Rothe copy...

Well, this is a very, very fine document indeed! Enzo

Hello, on the past weekend, I've paid a visit to the flea market of Piazzola sul Brenta; one of northern Italy's best places for collectors of any field (including militaria, orders and decorations). There, I've had the chance to buy a portrait photo of prince Osman Fuad, wearing the field grey uniform of a prussian Hussard regiment, and various high orders and decorations. The cardboard base, bears the autographed signature/date: Osman Fuad Prinz des Osmanischen Reiches 20.11.1917 Searching the web, I've learnt that this man had a very interesting life. Best wishes, Enzo (E.L.)

The name, is "Armand", but I'm not sure whether this is a family or a first name...

Hello, the first badge is an Italian enamel "ribbon bar" representing a silver and a bronze Medal for Military Valour (the well-known "Al Valore Militare" medals, to be worn as a lapel badge on civilian clothes; the second, is a membership badge of the Lega del Sacro Cuore "League of the Sacred Heart of Jesus", an Italian Catholic association. I hope I've been of some help, best wishes, E.L.

It's interesting to note that FML v. Wurm is wearing the Leopold Order, reversed. E.L.

Hello, the collection sold in Turin is the famous Fattovich one. Most pieces were used to illustrate V. Mericka's book "Orden und Ehrenzeichen der Oesterreichisch-Ungarischen Monarchie", Vienna, Schroll, 1974. The copies (of orders, mostly) were correctly described in the catalogue, for what they actually are. They were made by messrs. Rothe & Neffe, Vienna, directly on behalf of Prof. Fattovich and the average quality is very high. The decorations (Tapferkeitsmedaillen, Militärverdienstmedaillen, and commemorative ones) are -mostly- exceptional, for quality and provenance. I feel myself honoured for having known Prof. Fattovich personally: he was a true gentleman and a collector of the old school, with a deepest knowledge in the field of phaleristic. I was at the sale and felt touched, seeing pieces I've had in my hands when I was nearly a boy, going to the most different destinations. Each of them has a story of its own and hopefully, us collectors will remeber the great collector that was able to put together such a collection. I think that Professor Fattovich is happy that his collection continues its life in new collections. Best wishes, E.L.

A curious and very fine medal anyways. I also remember that the Canton of Ticino awarded a diploma for the resident italians, wounded in WW1. E.L.

Honestly, I don't completely agree. A well preserved badge could be well without any hairline cracks, same as any other enamelled order or decoration of its time. E.L. ​

Hello, it's quite difficult to imagine which decorations are on the general's breast, because the ribbons are coloured without any resemblance to the original awards. What makes you sure that the first could be a MMThO Knight's Cross? E.L.

Well, the cross for the capture of Ismail is described in the catalogue already, as a later re-strike (Nachprägung). E.L.

Hello, I can say that your Bronze "Al Valore Militare" medal, is of the official type, as awarded by the Royal Italian Air Force (they weren't struck by the Royal Mint, but by a private firm: Pagani, Milano, thus, the lack of the "crowned-Z" mark. The naming is also what I would expect to see on an officially awarded medal of this type. What is engraved around the laurel wreath, means "SKY OF THE WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN SEA - JULY 1941 - JANUARY 1942". The roman numerals mean the so-called "year of the fascist era" starting on Oct. 28th, 1922. All the best, Enzo

That would be great, thank you. On my side I will try to take some pictures of the naming on my British Crimea Medal (no bars) awarded to General Giovanni Durando. Enzo

A fine medal! Surely, the medal was "improved" by the soldier himself, or by someone who had the medal, between 1856 onwards. It would be very nice to see a detail of the naming! Best wishes, Enzo (E.L.)

You're welcome! E.L.

Your fine Commander's Cross of the Vatican Order od St. Gregory, is struck with the typical marks of nowadays. From what I see, the mark looks like being "925" (so, a silver mark) and not "750" that would refer to 18Kt. gold, but a better check with a loupe or weighing the piece would help. The "star"-26-SS mark is the code of the jeweller. In Italy, jewellers, gold- and silversmiths have their own mark, where the star symbolizes Italy; the number is the maker's code as registered at the office for precious metals; the two more letters indicate the province where the jeweller is located; in this case, Sassari, region of Sardinia. Best wishes, E.L.

Hello, it's a cadet's dress dagger of Italy's State Police Academy. E.L.

As original, this medal is to be considered as rare and its price is still fortunately lower than its actual rarity. As said, this medal should be struck with the "A" mark on the rim only. The piece here discussed, is a copy, most possibly a cast one, due to the rough surface. Best wishes, E.L.

Is this piece exposed at the Heeresgeschichtliches Museum in Vienna? I think that the uniform is the emperor's one, because of the "Kriegsmedaille 1873" worn with the reverse as the visible side. Best wishes, Enzo

Hello, I would like to congratulate for the beautiful pieces displayed in your webpage! Best wishes from Italy, Enzo (E.L.)

Hello, thank you for the kind words and please excuse me for replying this late. I don't know who was the original owner of my Goldenes Vliesz at the moment, but I think that with some patience I will eventually know that. In any case, although being the piece "anonymous" until now, I can say that I'm very happy with it. Best wishes, E.L.

In these days, I'm studying a collection of modern orders and decorations of the islamic/arab states, belonged to a late diplomat: I've already seen a breast star of the Libyan Order of the Great Conqueror, of a slightly different manufacture than the pieces posted by Megan. It is made of gilt, 925/ooo silver and green enamel. The piece is imposing and very attractive. The medallion's outer circlet bears the dates of institution "1989" and "1399". There's also a 1st Class of the Kuwaiti Wissam al-Tahrir, or "Order of the Libération" (I think that the 1st Class could be quite rare), etc., mostly from the Gulf states. I hope I'll be allowed to take pictures and contribute to these interesting threads. Best wishes, Enzo

And here's my newest addition about the Austrian Golden Fleece:

Hello, Albanian awards from the Zog and the Savoy period can still be a mystery, but in my opinion (but I'm almost sure), the breast star posted by Bob is one of the various more-or-less fantasy pieces made at the workshop of the former Alberti firm of Milan, assembling different parts. E.L.

Thinking about Hungary, I am sure there are many excellend dealers, but I'm still horrified, thinking about a certain gentleman, moved from the USA to Hungary... Hopefully, he's enjoying his retirement. E.L.