Tim B

Hi James, Those are some really cool additions! I've never seen crossed palms before, and that's the first CdG with a mothers (widows) bar that I've seen as well! Thanks for sharing and adding these to the thread. Tim

Very nice Valter! I need a vacation like that!! Congrats on some really nice pieces. Tim

Those single lions are certainly better looking than the style on the round disc.

Another early bronze palm and a very nicely detailed lion! Tim

And last, what appears to be a letter from a local recruiting station letting the member know that they are there to help ex-servicemen get their medals. Perhaps a local distribution point, though I have seen cases where these were mailed directly to the serviceman's address. Tim

Next, is the actual application. Interesting to see that the member had to initiate an actual application and to fill in the desired (authorized) clasps. Apparently, the issuing authority bounced the application against the discharge certificate. I wonder if there was a process that delved into the member's service a little deeper, such as looking for time away from the front or missing campaigns due to wounds or illness? You would think so, but I see no mention of it. Normally, the discharge certificate shows the awards the member received but no real details.

Next, is what appears to be a return information form so the issuing authority knows where to send the medal and if the original discharge certificate was sent in, then to return that as well (prepaid .10 stamp):P

Thought I would add some more today as it's been quiet lately. This set of paperwork applies to the actual application process for those desiring the WW1 US Victory Medal. It sold today, and go figure that I actually thought I might get it. Anyway, thought it interesting and certainly adds to the thread! Enjoy. Tim First, is a basic letter to a member of the US "1st Division" with some background information on what the division qualified for and what paperwork needed to be provided for the member to receive the medal.

Here's the inside of the ribbon and you can see the shadows where the stars used to be. So, the ribbon was turned inside out and the stars moved at some point. Tim

Since collecting French and Belgian awards, I've noticed on several examples where the attachments have been rotated on the ribbon once it was faded. Was this common practice? I've also noticed several times where the attachments have been repositioned and assume this is due to subsequent awards where stars or palms have been added to the ribbon. Did the French and Belgian customarily use only the original ribbon or did they ever replace the ribbons on their medals so the appearance was kept up? Here's a recent example on a French Cross of Valor. You can see the reverse shows where the stars were originally. Tim

My second example is unmarked but comes in a Rome marked case. Tim

Thought I would bump this one hoping someone might have some answers on the letter markings called out. Of the two examples I have, both are unmarked. First, a WW1 period medal bar: Tim

What I find interesting is, the scalloped edges. Do all these private manufactured versions have this trait? Tim

Thought I would bump this one up again. Here's a larger view of the private manufactured example. I don't know who made these but the details are pretty nice IMO. Tim

Another US 77th. Division piece with the issue box by the Art Medal Works with matching bar stamps. The medal is also near mint and allows me to upgrade my other 77th Div piece. Tim

Here's the ribbon bar.

I've seen some rather nice variations for sale lately, including the Belgian style medal with the letter "R" on the reverse and Czech style ribbon. Also, a version with the cylinder style suspension and original ribbon. Thought I would add a couple more items tonight. First up, is another nice example of the official O.Spaniel version Czech Victory Medal. Here's one with the coarser style ribbon in near mint condition, including the small bar ribbon. Best conditioned one I've seen for sometime. Tim

Very nice Adrian! Happy to see many of those shots! Tim

"I lay direct blame for the raise of Hitler and his mobsters (and WW2) to France, The French wanted to destroy Germany... The main objection to any reasonable treatment of Germany after WW1 was France. Pure and simple venomous vengeance, for her lost of Face and the humiliation of her defeat in the 1870-71 Franco-Prussian War. I have read a lot about all the little troubles and intrigues caused by the French, they caused more trouble for other countries "Vietnam, Africa, Asia, etc" than any other country I can think of." Completely agree! They are still pissed that they are not considered a major world power anymore. To the victor, goes the spoils and the victors are the ones that write the history books. Tim

Well, not much interest in these I guess but, thought I would post what appears to be a more modern example of these. This one is not mine and currently being sold at auction. Interesting that the sides appear cut this way and assume the seller just didn't crop the photos as the edges look pretty raw in the PIC. Tim

Wow, this is interesting! It's a beautiful piece of workmanship and I have noticed other Austrian copies that have a lot of effort put into them. For a collector that is not that knowledgeable in Austrian awards, and what to look for on originals, these Rothe copies could be really problematic. I remember looking at someone's 50 year service cross and asking questions here about it. Turned out that was a Rothe copy as well and I could see differences right away, once someone told me what to look for. Might it be worthwhile to start a thread or "pin" a thread just on copies, including these Rothe examples? Tim

Exquisite!! :love: Maybe, one day... Tim

BEAUTIFUL!!! Congrats! Tim

I just checked silver prices and spot silver is hovering around $21. (13.5 GBP) an ounce, so the minted coins are going to be even more expensive now!! Tim

Hi Timo, Yes, very similar to Brian's, only on a repetitive bar. A question here, what are the two holes for? Sewing?? Tim