Ed_Haynes

I really do NOT want this to go political, lest it get "nuked" by the ever-vigilant Forum Powers That Be.

A better analogy might be all those diverse post-WWI German veterans' groups or the "Freicorps" units that excite so many on the other fora here?

In any case, snarl or no snarl, these are important and interestimng awards which mean a great deal to the people who wear them.

Do you know what keeps striking me about the ancient bewhiskered veterans? They look exactly like-- and are the same age-- as the Old Warriors from the CRIMEAN WAR at the time of the RUSSIAN REVOLUTION.

THAT is a powerful and sobering thought.

Some Victory Day photos are up over on this thread. Not sure how many read out of their familiar "turf" so take a look at:

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=8152

Heres som information on the Exibition of National Economy Achievements:

Russian abbreviation VDNH means "Exhibition of National Economy Achievements". Recently it was renamed the All-Russian Exhibition Center. It is a very large complex containing exhibition halls, rest area, and a giant trade center. The center is a "must" for Moscow guests. As for Muscovites, they enjoy spending their time there.

The unique ensemble of the exhibition area had been forming for several decades. The first All-Union Agricultural Exhibition was opened in Ostankino on the 1st of August, 1939. The exhibition occupied 136 hectares and looked like a town with a large park, ponds, numerous pavilions and agricultural constructions. It included 250 large and small buildings. The wide alley was conjoining the main entrance and the main pavilion. Close to it there was a 52-meters tower with a 13-meters statue depicting the tractor operator and collective farmer holding the wheat sheaf above their heads. The sculpture became the symbol of the exhibition. The exhibition was a very successful one. From the 1st of August till the 25th of October, 1939 over 3,5 million people visited it.

From 1941 till 1954 the exhibition was closed, and in 1954 it was reconstructed. The territory of the exhibition complex was enlarged, the number of buildings increased to 383, and the new entrance on the territory on the complex was conveniently conjoined with the metro station. The new octagonal square near the main pavilion completed the exhibition complex ensemble. The new square was connected with Mechanization Square by two fountains - "The People's Friendship" and "The Stone Flower". The pavilions that were put up in those times were notable for their pomposity.

The All-Union Exhibition of National Economy Achievements that took place in 1958 combined the All-Union Agricultural Exhibition, the Industrial Exhibition, and Construction Exhibition.

In 1960s-1980s the exhibition complex was considered to be unique and grandiose. It presented all the scientific and industrial achievements of the USSR. It was impossible to see all the exhibitions and fairs during one day. The total length of all the VDNH alleys equaled 65 kilometers, and visitors had to take special excursion buses to travel around the exhibition complex. In summer the exhibition territory was turning into the giant garden with various attractions, the dancing verandah, the Green Theater, and two summer cinema halls. In winters the guests were entertained by horse riding. Near the Northern entrance the famous sculpture "Worker and Female Collective Farmer" by V. Mukhina was placed. The sculpture was made in Paris in 1937.

In 1989 the exhibition hall got the status of All-Union, and since 1992 it is called the All-Russian Exhibition Center. Nowadays it successfully combines commercial and educational goals. Some pavilions are rented by trade companies.

The All-Russian Exhibition Center is the most popular exhibition and fair complex of the country presenting the economical, scientific, and cultural achievements of Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States.

But im not sure if that helps but gives some background to the medals.....

Order of Victory

Thanks OoV! I was trying to decide whether to go there this summer and get some photos. You have made up my mind for me!!

If I had the language skills, I'd go through the mountain of paperwork that came with the Shapovalona group.

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=2735

Maybe some answers there, maybe not. Probably should let the materiual come home to visit next week and scan some more?

I might add that it does seem that no one has sued N&MP for their reprint of this volume. And, for that matter, no one has sued them for their reprints of a vast range of other for which the copyright is less vague and the market (= profit) is much greater

Actually, Rick, one is reminded of all the unofficial "anniversary" medals that plague dealers' sites and veterans' chests in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, etc. Battle of the Bulge Medal?? Bomber Command Medal?? Cold War Medal??!!?? Poignant sociology at which we, as phalerists, may want to snarl, but should we? But these, like VFW, or American Legion, or Society of the Cincinnati medals tell us a lot about the recipients and the power of these things.

But at least these particular folks did something important, and maybe they earned a few extra gongs? Service and awards that the contemporary government would rather ignore?

maybe but to those who earned their awards a hearty anyway.

Last that I have. Maybe Chuck will add more?

Another

Reminds us, I hope, of the veterans' faces which we sometimes see in the orders booklets or personnel records as the few survivors are today . . .

Was sent a few more, not as interesting, perhaps, for THIS thread, but at the risk of getting (for the FIRSt time ever ) here are a few more that were just sent to me:

One more . . .

These fascinating awards are almost totally unstudied in any serious sense and we, here, could perform a great service by trying to sort them out. Hint, hint . . . ???

And . . . while he may not relate directly to the question at hand . . . damn . . . I mean, damn!

One more -

You'd asked about these being worn? From 2006 Victory Day:

For further size comparsion, D 01, D 02, and D 03 (a?).

While the photo of Marshal Demid (Battushig, p. 22) gives some size comparision, I was still surprised by the size of this thing. For comparison:

Interior Defence Anniversary Badge, 12-22 [1922-32]

B # D 01

# 148 (the same badge shown by Battushig).

While a novice newbie with this stuff, I share some of the dobuts previously expressed, especially when I saw the award booklet. That is why I asked about research. Getting "Paul Papers" might be wise too?

You'd be more likely to get an answer in the "world" category??

A number of nice specimens are in the upcoming ANS auction from Morton & Eden.

And, as Jeff might have been too modest to mention this, none in the upcoming FJP auction (this time).

See also:

http://www.omsa.org/photopost/showphoto.ph...to=1096&cat=618

http://www.medals.org.uk/greece/greece001.htm

http://www.netdialogue.com/yy/Europe/Greec...er/Redeemer.htm

Nice, nice. Have you researched this one, Chris??

Even though the documents (and xeroxes) are black and white, I have found that scanning them as color keeps better contrast.

Do you have a picture of the Palestine Medal? Its Saudi

No, current information suggests that while it was instituted, it was never issued (along with all those early Saudi Arabian awards). That whole "first-generation" seems to exist only on paper. Too bad.

Didn't realise they had a reputation for being slow. The copy I ordered recently arrived within 3 days ! I must have been lucky.

I think the problem is that for their own reprint publications (as distinct from the things they merely stock from others) they operate as a "print to order" publisher. They keep little stock in hand but merely hold orders until they have enough to cover the bother (and expense) of a print-run. When they do print, they make up a few extras as an over-run and you must have been lucky to catch a title at that moment. I have had orders take up to nine months (and that is with airmail shipping!). Quite a lengthy gestation, and with no communication in the interim.