Elmar Lang

Hello, the star of the Grand Army of the Republic is quite well known in the collecting community. What I consider an exception is the star I'm going to illustrate in this topic: it was made as a present to a veteran of the Civil War, in the first years of 20th Century, in an outstanding quality. Two-colour gold, enamels and brilliants. This piece will be auctioned in Italy in the coming weekend. Best wishes, Elmar Lang

I agree with you: the best thing would be to keep the group together: orders and papers. The picture (here, an enlargement) , as previously said, v. Zoellner's last public appearance in Sept. 1944. He was already very ill (see how "oversize" his uniform appears to be...) and died in March 1945. From what I've been able to know, after his Military Jubilee he almost never went out of home, except on air-raid alarms, due to his failing health. After the funeral, all orders were arranged in a frame and, saved from the last air raids, remained at his heirs' home until the date when it was decided to offer the group in auction. Best wishes, E.L.

An enlargement of a picture taken in September 1944, on Gen. von Zoellner's last official appearance, on the occasion of his 60th Military Jubilee: all the decorations belonging to the group, illustrated in the first page of this thread, are visibly worn.

Letters to von Zoellner (on top, one from the Reichsarbeitsführer K. Hierl)

"Rang-Listen Auszug"

more service papers

Hello, I would like to add some more details to complete this thread about General von Zoellner's group: some of the related papers and the last photo of the general, taken in 1944 on the day of his 60th military jubilee. Best wishes, Elmar Lang

Hello again, searching in a recent and very well documented book (Wojciech Stela: "Polskie Ordery i Odznaczenia - Polish Orders and Medals - vol. I 1943-1946"; Warsaw, 2008; pages 80-83), it appears that this type of cross was made in 50 pieces only (material: gold 950/ooo), 43 of them were awarded, between 1945 and 1947 to 4 Polish; 9 USA; 5 Norwegians; 6 French; 17 USSR; 1 Czechoslowakian; 1 Yugoslav. So, it should be a very rare version of this highly interesting and beautiful order. Best wishes, Elmar Lang

How can this piece be judged?... E.L. P.S.: I agree, Josef has a sharp hawk-eye.

Hello, this type of cross was neither named, nor numbered, but the person who received it, is known. Best wishes, Elmar Lang

Hello, would it be possible to see a picture of the complete piece? That would help a lot to determine the maker's area and period of manufacture, besides to appreciate a beautiful order. Elmar Lang

Hello, a Virtuti Militari Cross in gold of the type made at the USSR mint of Krasnokamsk, will be auctioned in the coming June. The piece is also in the original, leather case. Below, an image of the piece. Best wishes, Elmar Lang

Well, the problem with the use of German with Hungarians can be true, considering those difficult times. It's also a fact that in the Austro-Hungarian monarchy, the use of Latin was very wide also in older times. Anyways, if we think at the modification of the Signum Laudis' suspension between FJ and K... Perhaps, I'm too romantic... E.L.

Hello, all the orders, decorations and papers composing the von Zoellner group are visible at http://www.sangiorgi...I+E+DECORAZIONI (lots 37 to 47), with some good detail pictures. Best wishes, Elmar Lang

Hello Sascha, actually, Gen. v. Zoellner didn't receive the MMJO, he became Ritter -as you correctly noticed- when was awarded with the Order of the Bavarian Crown. Among the papers that will be part of the group, there is the letter from the Königl. Bayerische Reichsherold (dated Sept. 4th, 1917) announcing the award of the Crown Order (happened on Aug. 23rd 1917), the elevation to the Ritterstand and a heraldic proposal for a coat-of-arms "Für den Fall, daß sie ein eigenes Familienwappen nicht besitzen sollten...". Among the various papers, there also is a framed picture, that I find very touching: his last official appearing on Sept. 1st, 1944, on the occasion of his 60 years military jubilee, wearing his Bavarian uniform and Pickelhaube, orders and decorations. Best wishes, E.L.

Hello, I think that the use of the word "Fortitudini" to Emperor Karl's Tapferkeitsmedaillen wasn't necessarily to be more "neutral" towards the opposition, but to exalt the importance of this decoration, giving to it the motto of the Military Order of Maria Theresia. On the other hand, "Fortitudini" and "der Tapferkeit" have the same meaning. Best wishes, Elmar Lang

Hello, here's the picture of the whole group of orders & decorations. The ribbons are lost, since all pieces were put together in a frame. Along with the group there are many interesting papers and some pictures. As you can see, in the group there are some rare pieces: the Red Eagle Cross with swords is in gold, same as the Bavarian Military Merit Order with star; the Crown Order with Swords (Württemberg) is also in gold; the other pieces are in gilt silver or silver and the austrian Iron Crown 2nd Class with War Decoration is a fine piece in gilt bronze. Back to the Ordensspange, the MVO III Class, the Order of the Bavarian Crown and the Turkish medal are in gold. Best wishes, Elmar Lang

I'll do that as soon as possible! E.L.

Hello, this is the Große Ordensspange belonged to General Eugen Ritter von Zoellner. It comes directly from his heirs and -together with his complete group of orders and decorations, it will be offered in auction soon. Best wishes, Elmar Lang

me, humbly...

They simply are two laurel branches of the Belgian "Croix de Guerre" with the monogram of the kings Albert and Leopold. The Italian WW1 commemorative medals should have the bars with the years from 1915 to 1918 and the bar "Albania". Best wishes, Elmar Lang

Hello, I've taken the weight of my Silberne Tapferkeitsmedaillen 2nd Class. Type 1849-1859: 18,1 g. Type 1859-1866: 17,5 g. the first, including ribbon (it is originally sewn to the piece, so I haven't removed it); the second, without ribbon. I hope this could help. Best wishes, Elmar Lang

Hello, I've met Mr. Rochowanski and his wife the first time in 1979, during one of my first trips to Vienna. I can say that they've always been more than kind; everything I was curious about the history, details and data of a certain austrian decoration or order always had a proper and detailed answer. Any time I meet them it's a real pleasure. Mr. Rochowanski is a true gentleman, beides being a living "archive" of Imperial austrian phaleristic. Best wishes, E.L.

Hello, the text written on the back of your picture says: To you, Mom to you Elny and Rosetta with love and... remember me, truly yours ... December 5th, 1950 I hope this would help, best wishes, Elmar Lang

the Silver Medals for Tyrol, 1797, when in very fine condition, can have a value of approx. 200,-/250,- $ Small and large gold medals are difficult to be estimated, due to their rarity. Best wishes, E.L.