Elmar Lang

Hello, I've received these 6 chinese pieces but, besides some vague idea, I cannot identify them properly. I'm sure in the knowledge of our Forum's colleagues. Many thanks in advance, Enzo

Well... I'm glad that the style of my pictures would have some "Victorian" taste! Enzo

Pity there wasn't any description of the cross' condition in v. Heyden's auction catalogue; in the Julius one, the piece was described as "sehr sch?n"... The same I could dare to say now, after the many years since it became part of my collection. I hope I'll be in good shape and health, in 2119... but what's going to happen, then? An anniversary? The Final Judgement?... Just asking, because I would like that nothing wrong would happen to my little Cannon Cross prototype! Best wishes, Enzo

Hello, Prochazka ("Oesterreichisches Ordenshandbuch", 2nd edition, vol. 2, pages 61-62) describes the Kanonenkreuz under no. 312. It is the piece awarded to all the Austrian military involved in the "Befreiungskriege" against Napoleon. No. 313 is the piece especially awarded to Karl, prince Schwarzenberg (the piece is on display at the Austrian Army Historical Museum in Vienna); the size is 50 x 45 mm., larger than the piece in this discussion. No. 313a is the piece here shown. Prochazka thinks that it could have been a never introduced "Cannon Cross for higher-ranking officers". The author repeated in his book the mistake reported both in the first Julius auction Catalogue (Otto Helbing, M?nchen, 1926, page 280, lot 3620) and in the definitive one (M?nzhandlung R. Gaettens, Heidelberg: "Sammlung Julius - Franz?sische Revolution - Napoleon I. und seine Zeit... II. Teil 1809-1815" 14 - 16 September 1959, page 41, lot 3540. By the way, this lot, with an estimation of 40,- German Marks, was sold for 30,-...), where the cross was described with almost the same words then used by Prochazka. It seems that he didn't pay attention to both v. Heyden's book and to his description in the catalogue where the collector put his decorations for sale (in the v. Heyden auction, 1898, the piece was sold for 20,- Reichsmark). Now, we see once more, what a wrong auction catalogue's description could do... The fact that the piece is entirely hand-made and not struck, allows us to confirm the thought of other authors stating that it is the prototype of what -later- became the Kanonenkreuz. Noteworthy, the piece bears the year 1813 only, instead of the definitive 1813-1814. I've forgot to mention that this piece was also studied -and published- by V?clav Měřička in the early '70s in a Czechoslovakian Numismatic bulletin (pages 23-31: "Zaj?mavosti o dělov?m Kř??i a občansk?m kř??i z let 1813 a 1814"). This cross, is an historical curiosity, and we should consider it under this point of view, besides its rarity (or uniqueness). Best wishes, Enzo

Reverse side:

Hello, I think that it could be interesting to add the history of a well-known Austrian decoration from the Napoleonic wars with a relatively less known detail: the first model, prepared by the "Kammer-Medailleur" Harnisch of the famous "Metallenes Armeekreuz", also known as "Kanonenkreuz", or "Cannon Cross". The piece described hereby, belonged to the von Heyden Collection, reported in his book "Ehren-Zeichen der erloschenen und bl?henden Staaten Deutschlands und Oesterreich-Ungarns", Meiningen, 1897 under nr. 1009, ?Kanonen-Kreuz pro 1813. Modell". In 1898, when von Heyden let his collection be auctioned (?Sammlung v. Heyden. Ehrenzeichen ? Deutschlands und Oesterreichs-Ungarns. Versteigerung am 19. Oktober 1898", Adolph E. Cahn, Frankfurt), the piece appears as lot n. 860 ?Probe eines Kanonenkreuzes pro 1813. Bronze. Wohl Unicum.". After the auction, it entered in the Julius collection, then sold again when the Julius Collection was auctioned in 1959. In the Gaettens auction catalogue (lot 3540), the piece was wrongly described as "Oesterreichisches Kanonenkreuz f?r H?here Offiziere?", while other details, such as the silvered laurel wreath and measures appear correctly reported. This interesting decoration was also published from the late Prof. Fattovich in the n. 5 (1969) of the Bulletin of the Austrian Numismatic Society. In the Austrian Army Museum should also exist an ancient copy (made of tin alloy) of the two sides of this cross, although I don't remember it on display. The actual piece is made of a reddish bronze alloy and, examining it with a lupe, it clearly appears as being entirely chased by hand. The laurel leaves are sculpted with the utmost care and silvered. The size of the cross is mm 42 x 39 (excluding the ribbon ring). Best wishes, Enzo

Hello, the signature under the Emperor's Bust is "I.N.WIRT.F." or Iohann Nepomuk Wirt Fecit. I think that wearing the piece under one's shirt could be quite uncomfortable... Now, let's find the other 7 pieces! Best wishes, Enzo

...and the reverse:

...and here are the pictures (hopefully better resized than my other attempts...) The obverse face:

Reverse side: Villiers2b.pdf

Hello, many thanks for the precious information given to better study this particular, Austrian medal. As promised, I post the pictures of the obverse and reverse side of it, where the S-Shaped links of the collar chain are well visible. I wasn't able to resize it, so I'm posting a .pdf file. Best wishes, Enzo Villiers2a.pdf

Hello, I agree with Vaughan. Both the medal and the badge should be commemorative pieces to Emperor Maximillian. In any case they aren't official decorations. Best wishes, Enzo

Hello, I've seen original breast stars of the St. Stephen's order either bearing hallmarks or not. Most of them have the marks of Rothe on the pin and on the reverse centre medallion; if the piece was made after 1867, it should also be struck with the silver assay marks. A picture of the piece would help a lot to give a more exact opinion. Best wishes, Elmar Lang

Hello, I think that the medal with Emperor Maximillian, posted by Greg is not an official, Austrian decoration. Imperial Austria had different awards in this field. Best wishes, Enzo

Hello Eddie, thank you very much for the information, especially for the picture of the medal given to NCOs, of which I didn't see any picture besides a short description in Proch?zka's "Oesterreichisches Ordenshandbuch". No archival research in Austra had any success, and now I understand why: the medal, unofficial, was struck in Grat Britain! I didn't know that. To Ed: "...They are wonderful sources of frustration...". Do you mean "how wonderful those pieces! I wish I were able to find something like that now"? I'm not worried... fine pieces appear (sometimes). I hope to post the pictures of the large gold medal soon. Thank you again and best wishes, Enzo

ultra rare... The catalogue with photo, or the medal itself?...

I think that some dealers are too much confident in the "new market" of super-rich buyers from Eastern Europe and they seem forgetting "normal" buyers from the rest of the world. I understand the disappointment... Elmar lang

I hope, I hope that what Darrel suspects wouldn't have happened. Things like that, can "kill" an auction house, especially now, in the days of fast communication. Elmar Lang

Nothing to say more than: excellent groups indeed...

Hello, my research is going on, and, thanks to the highly informative website of the London Gazette, I've found the .pdf files of all gazettes where the fact of Villiers-en-Couch? (there simply indicated as Cambray); and the award -both of the medal and the Maria Theresia Order- are quoted. To Ed: any trace of the old Spink Catalogue? I think that in the old Numismatic Circular there was a picture (and group description) of the medal with chain and the MMThO Knight's Cross. Best wishes, Enzo

I think that the missing medallion should bear the portrait of Hsu Shuzang, president of China after 1918, and this should be a merit medal awarded during the 1st Chinese Republic. Best wishes, Enzo

Hello, I didn't see this thread, I apologize. In my opinion, the best literature on the Italian Decorations and medals are the two volumes of A. Brambilla "200 Anni di Medaglie", where all official and semi-official decorations are completely described (also if there are variations, etc.). Now, these two books are out-of-print, but in these last three years, Brambilla is working on the 2nd edition, one single volume, fully revised and illustrated with colour photographs. An English resum?e is also planned, as an appendix. Anyways, if there would be questions about Italian orders, decorations & medals, where possible, I'll be glad to be of help. Best wishes, Enzo

Hello, it is an unofficial medal, usually bought from soldiers at the end of their active duty. Until recently, the Italian Armed forces had compulsory draft. The piece shown should be from the 60s. Best wishes, Enzo

Hello Kevin, the piece seems to slightly differ from the design of the official Kautsch-engraved bravery medals, although bearing his signature. Is the piece struck or cast? If it's a wartime piece, it could be one of the various, then unauthorized, privately made medals. Best wishes, Enzo