Ken M

Good evening Gentlemen; I have two early Legion of honor medals which are stumping me. I have been checking various on-line sources but get conflicting information. I am simply trying to identify the period of each. As near as I can figure; #1 is from the first empire and seems to be a late type that had the small spheres attached to the ends of the cross's arms. Known as the type 4 (??) Also according to what I have found, #2 appears to be from the second empire. Can anybody confirm or deny this information? Is there any way to determine who may have made either of these? Many thanks in advance, Ken N

Christophe: Many thanks. Its nice to see there is a photo in the book. I have decided to proceed with the purchase of this group. That being the case, I may go out and look for this 2 volume set myself. Ken

Christophe: Thank you VERY much. That is certainly much more information than I had before. I assume you have the book on the heros? Is there a photo of this man? Now the $64 question: ASSUMING the medals themselves are good. What should be a ball-park price for this group? I have been shopping the net to see something to compare to but so far haven't had any luck. Thank you everybody for your comments. You've all been most helpful. Ken

And lets not forget the ladies...

This fellow appeared to be the proudest of them all. Judging by the spring in his step, it was hard to believe that he is 85 years-old

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I spend a bit of time in Russia now and then. I was lucky enough to be over there during the May 9 celebration last summer. As you are all aware, the Russians still take this very seriously. The veterans turned out en-masse. I came upon these four men headed for the grand-stand where they would soon be viewing the parade. Each one is a WW2 veteran and proudly wears his assortment of regalia. After I took the picture, the one on the left said to me "Now go back to America and tell them that we are still alive" So that's what I am doing. Ken

I have confused the issue by either mis-speaking or not giving enough information. The seller is not really pushing a sale here. He is a collector who bought this group from one of the respected dealers some years ago. I wouldn't characterize him as just somebody I just met "at a show" although I did meet with him there and the medals may be purchased. Of course, If I had the name, it may be helpful in verifying the book. The name is certainly not a secret. It is just that I neglected to take a photograph of it as I considered it more having to do with the issue regarding the book rather than the medals. Dis-regarding the book just for the time being, is there anybody who may address the medals themselves? I have been doing considerable comparison with photos of known originals that are found on the web. (particularly the excellent photos shown on the Mondor.narod web-site). It appears that the details of these medals are commensurate with the photos that I have seen of known originals. But I have no illusions as to my powers of perception. I am seeking any comment pertaining to the medals themselves. Do they appear genuine or is this not something that can be ascertained from the photos I am able to supply? Ken

I made these photos while at a recent show where I met the fellow who has the two medals and the book for sale. It was sort of an impromptu photo shoot as I borrowed a friends camera. I wish I'd had the presence of mind to photograph the name on the book. But what I would really like to have addressed here is the originality of the orders themselves. Without the book, do they themselves appear to be correct?

I took a photo of the page of the book listing the awards but didn't get the page that gives the fellows name. Here is a photo of the awards list page. It seems that he got the HS and the Lenin order together and then many others came later. I have little doubt as to the authenticity of the book. It is the medals themselves that I would like to verify before considering this further. Ken

Here is a view of the rear of the lenin order. The number of the star is 2959 and the Lenin is 16707. The awards were made together in january 15, 1944 and the seril numbers seem to be correct for this time. Again, any help would be appreciated.

A view of the Lenin order

Another shot of the rear

A close up of the suspension

A view of the rear of the HS