larsb001

No, Nick, no, not 5-6 million dollars, more like 20-30 thousand dollars! At least this was the valuation the museum gave to the press after the theft (if I remember correctly), or maybe THIS valuation had to do with the fact that the museum had been warned many times about the possibility of a theft, especially when one decides to keep such a set in a vitrine with normal 3 mm window glass in an allmost unguarded museum with doors that everybody could kick in?

I can contribute with a GC Star and a badge, the last most likely of Dutch manufacture around 1880-1890. Regards, Lars

A friend once had a similar one that resembles this, that one was originally mounted on a name plate for a St George knight.in a graveyard. So, where was this dug up

I actually bought them as miniatures, because this is what I collect, but the larger one is definitely full size. Lars

Hello Paul. Thank you for all the information, now I understand what this is and the basic concept. Lars

Hello, could one of our British experts please tell me exactly what it is that I have here. I know it's not official, but is it masonic related or something else? And also, could any of you describe what a "Warrant Holder" is, using a Dictionary for translation doesn't really help me alot? Thank you, Lars

Ah, I forgot I had a Red Cross medal as well, not as nice as yours ..

And last a War Medal for 1914-20 ...

A National Foundation of Manchukuo, a variation with a kind of agraffe on top?

And a Showa with a straight ribbon ...

Then I have an Imperial Visit to Japan ..

I can show you my humble collection of Japaneese miniature medals, first my Taisho, different from yours and with a bar which I don't really understand, should there be a bar? Regards, Lars

Gents, here's another one you don't see that often. Hohenlohe, Order of the Phoenix, solid Gold & enamel, around 1815. Enjoy! /Lars

Hello Komtur. That's a really nice bar, it's interesting to see two of these Braunschweig within such a short timeframe and also to note the difference in appearance, must be different makers. Congratulations! /Lars

Some pretty groups. Here's another group, much older and much rarer! Well, the French one is quite common, but not the one from Westfalen. Enjoy! /Lars

Hello Wild Card. Some really beaufiful pieces, I really like these Hemmerle made items as you showed in #375. Here's another Hemmerle, Bavaria Order of Saint George GC Star. /Lars

If I remember correctly a similar example appeared in one of the Graf Klenau auctions in the 1970'ies where it was described as a Chancellors badge, a description that was copied by other auction houses and thus many would still believe this is the case. Igor is correct. This also exists as a minature and would look like this .. Interesting enough all miniatures I have seen is made of Silver where the actual badge is Gold except for one gilted badge which looked as it had been recently gilted. The normal 4th class would look like this in miniature ... The Sword decoration could also be worn as a miniature and would look like this nice Gold example (note the "For Bravery" legend below the badge) ... ... unless the actual sword or dagger award was worn as a miniature in which case it could look like this ... Cheers

Wild Card, what a beautiful miniature! You may be interested in seeing the lower grade (cannot remember if I have showed this before), here it is:

... any reason for the 4 missing eagles on the Stanislaus?

Btw, I found this recently on eBay, very odd described. It's Reuss, Order of Art and Science, not often seen! Enjoy, Lars

Hello Maid. If I remember correctly this was on the German eBay some months ago, without a name. If this is correct this means that you have been able to identify the owner, which raises the question; How difficult is this for you? Asking because I have this: Regards, Lars

Megan, the original pre 1944 chain was stolen from the Amalienborg castle by a footman who later sold it to a well known Danish collector (who had 5 excellent copies made). Before his death he sold it to a well known German collector who later sold it in one of the famous Mercur auctions in Hamburg. From there it have changed hands a few times before it ended up in a Finnish collection. I believe this was the one that Jani T. had in his first (second?) auction, you may ask him for a good photo, which he should have. Cheers, Lars

... and a Kriegsdenkmedaille 1814-1815 für Nichtskämpfer from Hessen. Cheers, Lars

Gents, let's have a few more here during a lazy summer. First, a couple from Frankfurt, the 1813-1814 & 1815 medals for volunteers and linetroops! Enjoy!

Josef, here's what I believe is a pretty recent production which resembles the one in the picture - although not completely similar. It's made of sterling silver, partly gilted and set with paste stones. Weather you like it or not is a completely different thing