Jaybo

Thanks very much Hugo. Jay

Danke! Was that a solid rule concerning precedence or just a sometimes followed tendency, McSwiggan? Jay

Hi Chris, Could you please give me a quick 'how to' research Bavarian soldaten on line? All the best, Jay

Gentlemen, What was the rule (assuming that there was one) concerning the precedence of EK 2's with other valor medals? I always thought that the Iron Cross took precedence over other medals but I have seen groups where a Bavarian soldaten's group had the MVK 3rd class BEFORE the EK 2. Was that a parochial thing that was common or was it just mounted improperly? Thanks. Jay

Hi Chris, Thanks. Jay

Hello gentlemen, Is anyone an 'experten' on German WW I death cards? My question, is the depiction of an Iron Cross on the deathcard indicative of the deceased having been awarded one or is just 'window dressing'? Many thanks in advance. Jaybo

Hello Barry, Wow! That is an outstanding collection. Is that a portrait of Mme. Lannes? The LOH looks like mine...a type III ? All the best, Jay

Bear, Now that makes me drool......well, almost. That is truly spectacular. Jay

Very cool documents, Bear. I have been thinking of acquiring letters of a Marshal or two (not much wall space left per the wife's instructions!). I tried sevral years ago to purchase a letter by Colonel d'Hery of the 5eme Hussards but was beaten to the punch. I used to subscribe to Jean-Marc Agotani's catalogues for several years. He has quite the inventory (he must have an 'in' at Vincennes!). He is located in Marseille and unfortunately doesn't have a website. Other than him, I wouldn't know where to begin. Happy New Year Jay

Merry Christmas Elmar. An absolutely superb group! Jaybo

Thanks Barry. I'll give it a try. Jay

Merci beaucoup, veteran. This is a start. Jay

Hello, Do any of you gentlemen know if there is any professional French research resource that could establish the history of a given Napoleonic Wars LOH recepient from a given regiment? Jaybo

Hello, Do any of you gentlemen know if there is any professional research resource in France that has the ability to document the history of a given Napoleonic Wars Legion d'honneur recepient from a specific regiment? Jaybo

Hello Mossop, Those pieces are truly wonderful. I am very jealous. I love to read about the man behind the medal, especially concerning this period of history. Do you know anything about the history of Herr Flech? Well done! Jaybo

Hello, Does anyone know the story behind the Austrian troops attaching oak leaves to their head gear during the 18th century and the Napoleonic wars? I have always been curious as to the when and why as this symbol. Maybe a query for Rick Reasearch! Thanks gentlemen. Jaybo

Hello Wild Card, Thanks for your reply. I do have an example of the Silver Military Merit Medal of the Order of St. Henry. Alas, it is of the Wilhelmine period, not 1815. All the best, Jaybo

Gentlemen, Mr. Blair's article seems like a fair telling of the 'facts' as we know them to be. I was present at the old NSA convention in Memphis years ago when the late Mr. Weider's findings and theory were announced to the world with the media in abundance. I for one, who have read the two principle works on the 'poisoning' of Napoleon, never believed in it. Why? Human nature. As Mr. Blair points out for the reasons he states, it made NO sense that the Comte de Montholon would not have, 'spilled the beans' as he put it, when he was later down on his luck if he was in fact the culprit. As an assistant prosecuting attorney for over 26 years, I have become a little familiar with the criminal mind and human nature. Montholon's subsequent problems would have forced him to squeeze the Bourbons. It didn't happen. Secondly, the scientific evidence seems to cut both ways according to the various sources. You can make it fit if you want to. Mr. Weider, may God rest his soul, was undoubtedly responsible for alot of good in the Napoleonic community. His championing the Swedish dentist's theory of the intentional arsenic poisoning of the Emperor was not his high point in my opinion. Jaybo

Hello Colin, Truly outstanding work. They are of my favorite period as well. Oils or acrylics?? Jaybo

Hi Bear, That is indeed a lovely find. Your French sounds about like mine. If you ever get it fully translated, I would love a peek. I checked in Digby Smith's "Napoleon's Regiments" and did not find anything of note re your guy. You need an in with a researcher at Vincennes! All the best, Jaybo

Gentleman, This is an excellent thread on a subject that is near and dear to my heart, namely the Napoleonic Era. Wild Card, that is a superb collection. You have some pieces that I have always wanted for my collection but either have been unable to locate them or have been outbid (by you, perhaps?!). Could you give us a listing of the literature that you find essesntial in this field of collecting? I assume that Nieman's book is one of them. Some of the pieces I wasn't aware of existing. There is not a general "Medals of the Napoleonic Era" book available to my knowledge. The Westphalian piece illustrates this point. Amazing! I did not know that it existed. I agree with one of the posters, there are probably some if not many buried for posterity in Russia. Wild Card, if it isn't too much to ask, could you give us some hints as to where you find these pieces? Finally, I too would like to have Bear's question answered re the Austrian 1797 Medal though I think that I read it on the web somewhere. Jaybo P.S.- I always found it curious that the Kingdom of Saxony did not apparently issue any medals for these wars to my knowledge. Perhaps because that good old fat king was such a staunch ally of Napoleon!

That is truly an awesome collection. I can almost smell the mothballs! It remindss me of my trips to the Western front, in particular our visiting the South African Museum at Delville Wood. It is only surpassed by two museums in the Somme region. Thnks for sharing. Jay

Hello Brian, Thanks for your assistance. I'll send you the man's name that I am researching via an e-mail and maybe you can help me out. All the best, Jay :D

Hey Guys, Our local group, the Michigan Company of Military Historians & Collectors was fortunate enough to have Tex speak at our annual 'Open Mess' here in Grand Rapids back in November, 2003 (check out our webpage). Tex truly was an American hero as were all the AVG 'Tigers'. As Commandant that year I had the privilege of sitting next to Col. Hill at dinner. He really had some great tales to tell. Blue skies Tex! Jay Stone

Hi Brian, How in the world do you have access to that info? That is very impressive. Jay