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    Elmar Lang

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    Everything posted by Elmar Lang

    1. Also these old copies made by Rothe are of a sure, historical interest. Some "special" pieces, were expressely made on special order, done by Prof. Fattovich, like this one. He wanted it with a "thicker" laurel wreath, but Messrs. Rothe had this one only, amongst their original dies. This piece is excellently finished (Lot n. 106, from June 11th 2015 sale of the collection's 1st part, if I remember correctly). I know one futher piece "für wiederholte Verleihung" made by Rothe as a copy, but it's made of gilt bronze and not so well finished/enameled. To remain in the theme of the 2nd award types, I would like to post the pictures of a pre-1918 Militärverdienstkreuz II Classe/KD/Schwerter with its typical, thick wreath, indicating the repeated award. The "Fattovich Connection" of this piece is in the fact that I am deeply indebted to his and his wife's unforgettable friendship, if I have been able to acquire this piece for my collection, then moving its early steps...
    2. A beautiful piece, with original "Kleindekoration". Congratulations, Enzo (E.L.)
    3. Hello, as previously noticed by Tifes, I would like to add some further info. Actually I cannot agree with the above statement from RNS, because me alone, I own two cased, engraved Feldpilotenabzeichen; one from the estate of Lt. Feldpilot Johann Mandl and another one, belonged to an until now unknown Feldpilot, received as a present from a certain "Käthl": a typical, austrian nickname for "Katharina". The "Mandl" badge, is in its original maker's, presentation case of Messrs. Spitz, Vienna, while the other one, made by Rothe, Vienna, is preserved in a Zimbler case, where the fitted, inner compartment and the lid's silk cushion reveal that the badge is stored in that case since a very long time. Both badges are made of silver with gilt details and enamels. I am also aware of other pre-1918 engraved Feldpilotenabzeichen and Luftfahrerabzeichen, now residing in private collections. As a matter of interest, I would like to post some pictures of my two badges.
    4. But now: Well... again forgetting the invaluable and technically documented, complete books, written by Jörg Steiner, way earlier than Mr. Edelstein's treatise. I think that perhaps some collectors still remember him while he was working about his book. Of course, I wish you all the best with the huge work you're preparing, about any aspect of the early aviation and its heroes. I would like to suggest, that writing a technical book needs that facts should be supported by documents and evidence. all the best, Enzo (E.L.)
    5. Hello again, I find the contribution of Tifes as highly interesting, for having found a Popov who was a pioneer of aviation. But I regret to say that in my opinion the engraving to the back of the Luftfahrerabzeichen, actually should be: "Ал. Серг. Попову 1908 г."; transcripted in our characters, "Al. Serg. Popovu 1908 g.". The engraving is surely done by hand and well executed; it also show some darkening due to the years passed since it was added to the badge. So, we have two points that are sure: 1) the Luftfaherabzeichen is original; 2) The engraving is done by hand. Furthermore, I'd dare to add that: a) the badge was instituted by Emperor Karl I well later than 1908 (1917, actually); b) no Russians were flying within the Austro-Hungarian Luftfahrtruppen during WW1. I fear that unless we could obtain a sound, documented background, we should consider this piece as a fine, original badge bearing a well-engraved dedication, referring to a date prior to the institution of this type of badge. To RedNoseScout: why feeling "like being an outlier on this site"? In this room devoted to the study of the Austro-Hungarian awards, you can meet some advanced collectors and researchers, with whom start and conduct interesting conversations. I can say that in here I've always met excellent people and have learnt many interesting things that helped me advancing in this interesting sector of Faleristic. Best wishes, Enzo (E.L.)
    6. Would you be so kind to show us one of the mentioned 1950s Zimbler badges, to be compared -obverse and reverse- with their pre-1918 counterparts? That would be highly intructive for most of us. Aside, I would like to add, that the Feldpilotenabzeichen and the Luftfahrerabzeichen, when made of silver, are always privately purchased or presented pieces. All the best, Enzo (E.L.)
    7. Dear Owain, thank you for your invaluable addition to the thread I've started today. I agree, that this order is highly attractive and in my opinion, innovative in design too. Does it exist a list of those who received the Republican order? To add a note on this same set, the case and the award document (same as those of the other orders awarded and belonged to Prof. Fanfani) are lost because on January 28th 1999, a fire partly destroyed the apartment in Rome, where the old politician (who died a few months later) and his wife lived. While the orders where all exhibited in a showcase, the cases and their papers were stored in a cabinet, placed where the flames burnt everything. Because of that fire, also the important collection of paintings and works of art put together by Prof. Fanfani (who was an appreciated painter himself), was completely destroyed, signifying a great cultural loss. One day, I hope I will find an original case though. Best wishes, Enzo (E.L.)
    8. Hello, I am just returned after a Militaria Show that took place in Slovenia, close to our borders. Amongst the interesting pieces to see and the chance to meet fellow collectors etc., I've had the nice opprtunity to add an interesting set to my collection. The Order of the Nile, in its transition from the monarchy and the Republic, changed its design from an elaborate one, into a more modern and equally beautiful style, adopting an iconography directly connected to ancient Egypt. The artist who designed the new order, found the inspiration for the design of the centre, by an alabaster vase, found in the Tomb of Tutankhamen, Carter No. 210; Picture by Harry Burton p0671 (Griffith Institute: Carter Archives (ox.ac.uk) , symbolizing the union of Upper and Lower Egypt. The set now in my collection was awarded to Amintore Fanfani (1908-1999), during his state visit to Egypt, January 6th-9th, 1959, while being Italy's Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. As Lot no. 92, it was sold in 2021 at the auction of the property from Prof. Fanfani's late wife, passed away in 2019, with all the orders, decorations and honours awarded to the italian politician, during his long career. The Order of the Nile in its republican, one-class type -besides the Collar- doesn't appear quite often so, I think it could be useful to anyone, to have here some pictures of the set. The star of both the sash badge and the breast star is made of silver, with gilt details; the centre medallion in gilt silver and night-blue enamel, but the "ancient egyptian" centre, is made of gold, with a fine, "frosted" finish; the reverse of the two pieces are struck with egyptian marks. All the best, Enzo
    9. Hello, the medal is a private purchase piece made by the firm Stefano Johnson of Milan (thus the mark "SJ"), the naming looks like a laser one, not a pantograph or and hand-done one. This man, Ettore Muzi, a Sergeant Pilot of the Royal Italian Air Force, on board of his bomber airplane, received his bronze "Al Valore Medals" for an action on Berbera, British Somaliland, where he displayed great courage and valour in action, his plane was severely damaged by anti-aircraft fire and enemy airplanes part of his grew wounded, but he calmly completed the action releasing his bombs on the target and being able to return to the base. I fear though, that Ettore Muzi never saw the medal pictured in this thread.
    10. Your nice collection shows very fine improvements. I've started collecting Austro-Hungarian awards back in 1974-75 and still I am not bored! With my best wishes for more and more interesting and important findings, Enzo (E.L.)
    11. Mine, was just a suggestion on what to look for; a picture of that detail on your medal might help.
    12. ...a face?... well, silver medals distributed after 1867 were struck with a tiny "A" within a circle, usually on the rim's area close to the suspension. Best wishes, Enzo
    13. If the medal is not struck with the "A" mark, it's highly possible that it was awarded earlier than 1867. Best wishes, Enzo (E.L.)
    14. The medal is original and usually, those with that typical suspension loop, are not struck with the "A" mark. Ribbon and Wiederholungsspange are consistent with the 1917-18 period. As said, the case is not Austrian. Now, we assist at a "case-frenzy"... Ok, a case is a nice "plus" to any award, but sometimes I think us collectors are exaggerating, when attributing a fabulous value to some cardboard, morocco-leather and a piece of velvet. 4 years ago, for a surely rare case (MVK I Klasse with KD "eines niederen Grades"), I've been asked 11.000,- Euro! Making a correct proportion the -let's admit- rare decoration to be put in that case, should have a value not less than 110.000,- Euro! Best wishes, E.L.
    15. Hello, your italian ribbon bar could be (at least the two 4-ribbon ones) a homogeneous group. The person, looks like having been decorated with: - Order of the Crown of Italy, Knight's Cross; - Medal for Civil Valour (most possibly, Bronze); - War Cross for Military Valour; - War Volunteers' Merit Medal; - War Merit Cross; - 1914-18 Victory Medal; - 1915-18 Campaign Medal with 4 bars (two "stars" missing); - Unity of Italy 1848-1918 Commemorative Medal. Separately, an Italian-Turkish war commemorative medal.
    16. Nice pieces and very fine display, I congratulate. An excellent beginning indeed. With the best wishes for your collecting, Enzo (E.L.)
    17. Wrong ribbon, since the Tapferkeitsmedaille has one ribbon only. The ribbon attached to this BTM-FJ is something privately made, not necessarily connected to Ukraine. Best wishes, Enzo (E.L.)
    18. Just a question: why cover the recipient's name on the Urkunde? These are details of some interest to the collecting community, that could open new research and exchange of information. By the way, I see that the Major was on duty at the Ministerium für Staatssicherheit (the signature of Erich Mielke indicates that), what makes this award, surely coming from a larger group, as quite interesting. All the best, Enzo (E. L.)
    19. Not a fantasy piece, but a private purchase medal, then privately engraved.
    20. hello, in this discussion, also about the Tamara Order, I've posted my own documented group:
    21. I can say that the medal offered at eMedals, as I can see from the pictures, is a privately-made piece of Russian production. Not having the piece in my hands, I cannot say when it could have been produced so, it is impossible to describe it as a "fake". The original Kexholm guards regiment medal is of the "austrian" type, with its proper suspension loop/ring arrangement as clearly pictured in the relevant post. All the best, E.L.
    22. Chechaco1, you've shown an interesting medal: an enlargement and less blurry picture of the naming, would be most interesting indeed. I need to say that the only "official" medals for valour of Italy's republic should bear a "Z" (symbol of the State Mint), to the obverse, below the coat of arms. But it is also to say that after 1945, a lot of these medals have been awarded to former partisans, so also to Yugoslavs and to some Soviet combatants, involved in the guerrilla actions in Italy. To partisans, between 1946, until the late 50s, have been awarded medals struck by an until now not identified firm, then named to the people indicated by the special commission in charge to the awards for partisan activity. Such awards were not directly sanctioned by the Ministry of Defense, but by the special commission for the partisan activities, although the award documents are those from the Ministry of Defense. The medal shown, awarded to a Soviet citizen, belongs to the first series of medals, as made by a private firm. I have in my collection of italian medals for valour, also one of them, named to a well-known partisan from my region, Mr. Luigi Emer, of which I would like to add some pictures. The reverse, is struck with the "A.800" silver mark, as it's partially visible on the medal awarded to the Soviet individual. As a further detail, I would like to add the pictures of an officially-struck silver medal for valour, posthumously awarded to the partisan Mario Cesura, taken prisoner and shot by a Nazi firing squad amongst others, taken prisoner in Liguria, December 1944. The "(M)" engraved under the recipient's name means "Alla Memoria" (to the Memory), or a posthumous award. This medal, bears the already mentioned "Z" to the obverse and is also struck with the state mint's silver mark "Z-986". This type, identical to those awarded to military personnel by the Ministry of Defense, have been used for award to former partisans, either posthumously or still living, from the early 60s, until today. Best wishes, Enzo (E.L.)
    23. Hello, since many years, I have two North Korean award documents; the first in a hardbound folder, the second, in a thin, red cardboard one. Could anyone give me any information, like Order/Decoration, its class, and the awardee's name, if written on them? Many thanks in advance, Enzo (E.L.)
    24. Hello, I apologize for this very late reply. The title of Emperor Franz Joseph within the Imperial Russian Kexholm Guards Regiment, was that of "Oberstinhaber" (or "Colonel Owner" of the regiment), not that of "Oberbefehlshaber", that is the title of a "Commander in Chief" of an Army or of an Army Group. Best wishes, Enzo (E.L.)
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