Eric Schena

Now, I have to ask because I have been offered a bronze one with paste stones: what are the tell-tale signs of a copy for both Hero stars? Also, are Collect Russia's award numbers accurate for both Hero of RSR and Hero of Socialist Labor?

Hi all: Let me just say I am honored that my little book was used for this catalogue. My hope was that folks would find it useful and pleasant so to speak ("utile dulce", if you will), so to see it referenced is a great joy for me. I am surprised so much went unsold. There were some great items in that sale! Oh, and Megan, if you want any photos for your site, let me know and I can send you what I have. Cheers, Eric

The catalogue is beautifully produced and well worth getting as a reference. Then again, I am slightly biased

Wonderful photos and information! Please feel free to share more. Albanian decorations are still very much in the beginnings of serious study, so l for one LOVE seeing new photographs like this. Cheers, Eric

Welcome Artan! That is a superb photograph! Do you happen to know who he is? Cheers, Eric

And one last one from my personal collection. These are Albanian officers in Odessa, taken in 1949.

Here's an unpublished photo from my personal collection. This was taken in Odessa in 1947. I have a medal group to the lieutenant on the left...

Here's a group of military leaders, c. 1970 or so, after the abolition of ranks...

Here's a photo of Enver Hoxha in his partisan's uniform, c. 1944 or so. It was based off of Yugoslav uniforms...

Thanks, Bob, for sharing these documented groups to us. I have found the documents to be rather hard to get or to find, so this kind of thing is invaluable.

Ok, keep killing me, Bob, with these GREAT finds! Please post more photos! That Hero doc is AMAZING, especially since it was awarded to Haxhi Lleshi! I know who he was, but let's see if anyone else knows. Hint: his sig appears on a number of Albanian documents...

I am reading her name (well, her familiya) as "Berdichevskaya" split on two lines.

That truly is a fascinating question, Ed. I suppose it could be considered both Italian Colonial and Albanian. That said, I have a very hard time seeing an Albanian wearing the Italian version around town these days. I've always wondered about that in some of the general reference books, why some obviously colonial orders were listed in their independent nation's listings (like the Skanderbeg here discussed) while others are listed under the colonial power even when they were established by the colony when it was independent (like the examples you provided for France). Maybe some consistency is called for here. I'm just waxing philosophical here, so pay no mind to me. I suppose this should more properly belong in the non-Communist Balkan forum...

After a very long search, I finally found an example of the Medal "Remembrance 1942-1943" (this is one of my very few items on my Albanian want list (a numbered Skanderbeg is on that list...PM me if you have one ya want to let go ). Once it arrives, I'll post it here. Let's just say, I am VERY excited after having only photos of it...

Just to add a few random things... When first established, Zog was in the habit of awarding the Order of Skanderbeg fairly liberally as favors to friends or to visiting dignitaries. I'm not sure there were any records of who got what. I have heard that the higher classes of the Zogist era pieces are more common than the lower classes, but it's the opposite for the Italian era pieces. I'm not sure the Italians kept any good records, either, to be honest. Also, in addition to the letters FERT on the Italian pieces (which stands for the motto of the House of Savoy - supposedly expands out to read Foedere et religione tenemur though no one is 100% sure of that), the goat's head on the top of the helmet of Skanderbeg points in the opposite direction than the Zogist pieces. To echo Elmar's post, they are considered Albanian awards even in the Italian incarnation. The Order of Skanderbeg in all its versions is my favorite award. I don't have any pre-Communist era pieces, but someday, I hope (Dum spiro spero, to continue the Latin theme). Cheers, Eric

What a wacky case! As you know, the later medals came in cellophane packets, so at least they made a case...

Oh, I forgot to mention that if you are looking for rank insignia from that period, head over to http://www.uniforminsignia.net (specifically, http://www.uniforminsignia.net/index.php?p=state&id=80). That may help you out.

That is a lovely example, Bob! I am green with envy at your ability to land such gems Are you able to get a cleaner shot of that case? It looks vaguely like the box you see for the IKOM produced Order of Liberty...

Welcome aboard! I was given a book by an Albanian friend of mine called "Albanian Military in Pictures" and it has a few pics of Albanian uniforms in it. From what I have seen from that period, it was a bit of a mishmash. Most of the photos I have seen I have posted here or have included in my book, but I don't think there ever was a comprehensive study done on them. Are you looking to see rank insignia or just photos of them in wear? Cheers, Eric

Hi Elvis: Let me know in whatever way I can help you with this effort (photos, proofreading the English, whatever). I would love to help this project out as much as I can! Cheers, Eric

I have a numbered Red Banner in a group with a Medal for Military Merit/Service. The Red Banner is numbered 8748 and the award date is 10 March 1957. I don't recall if the award number is in the booklet (I don't have it with me, but I want to say it is) - I can check this evening, if it is of any value to this discussion.

I would go nuts for Czech orders and decorations...if they were only more readily available. I have a grand total of four decorations, a Red Banner of Labor, a labor medal (in .925 silver), a civil White Lion 5th class in case (and the red enamel on that is simply stunning), and a Partisan's Badge. The quality is incomparable. As for copies, I've never so much as heard of one, though I certainly can see that for the hero titles and the order of Klement Gottwald.

I saw that decoration on a London dealer's website. Was wondering what that was. Elvis, I am excited to hear about your book! Do you have any details about your book that you can share?

Hi Gordon: No worries on those - both are perfectly legit Pr?wema made Skanderbegs. I believe the screwbacks are from the 1960s while that style of pinback may be as late as the 1970s but I have not been able to conclusively prove that. The diagnostic place to look is the beard - the two center medallions share the same design. I have to say that I have seen comparatively fewer of the pinbacks than the screwbacks, though take that for what it's worth. As for price, I have seen these go anywhere from $35 on up to $100. I was very fortunate that our own Gerd Becker very generously sent me a pinback 2nd class as a gift The IKOM Skanderbegs are the more desirable pieces and they cost more ($200 on up). Hope that helps! Cheers, Eric

Not sure if it a youth badge or not - there's no indication that it was awarded by the BPRSH (the socialist youth league), but that doesn't mean it isn't. These badges are still mysterious and not well documented.