Bob

The calvinist in me just feels a bit weird about paying much more for research than the actual award. Here is the doc that came with it... doesn't seem right though in terms of the order / timing. Perhaps the book itself is just "made up". I'll research the red star - first time so should be fun whatever comes out:)

Deputat

Was offered it for 800 USD (which I presumed was cheap - for a 3rd RB that is). Will post some other items now which were cheap also in USD terms. Let's see if I got badly burned buying "junk" (soviet is not my main area of collecting) or not. First, worthwhile researching a late Red Star or not? Number 3545081 placing it around 57 / 58 after long service awards... or?

Here's 2 that I recently acquired. Hard to determine sometimes with fading colors but let's give it a try (left to right): 1) Top row: Order Red Star, Medal of Bravery, Medal of Liberation Bottom row: Medal for 10th Anniversary of Army 2) Top row: Order Red Star, Medal of Bravery, Medal of Liberation Bottom row: ????, Medal for 10th Anniversary of Army

Next up... Left to right: - Distinguished Medical Worker Badge - 8th Congress of PPSH badge - Pioneers of Enver Hoxha badge (cheapish feel to it - similar in design to much nicer produced Always Ready badgeg) - Young Naturalist bade (whatever that is - high quality / heavy feeling badge though)

Some new items just in... first FDSH badge + certificate dated 2-5-77 (not clear what the "Nr" in front is). Some translation (from the seller): "BADGE AND CERTIFICATE AWARDED BY FDSH TO A DISTINGUISHED FDSH ACTIVIST FOR HIS GOOD WORK IN PROPAGATING THE DIRECTIVES AND DECISIONS OF LABOR PARTY OF ALBANIA TO THE MASSES" Further noting: FDSH STANDS FOR "ALBANIAN DEMOCRATIC FRONT" - THIS WAS A COMMUNIST ORGANISATION THAT PROPAGATED THE COMMUNIST AND LABOR PARTY IDEALS TO THE MASS OF PEOPLE. THEY WERE ACTIVE IN EVERY NEIGHBOURHOOD AND THEY WERE THE EYES AND THE HANDS OF THE PARTY

Yep - thanks. I guess I was almost expectin there to be more than just 1 person doing research - guess I was wrong.

Well, that's not a bet I'm going to take with my money:) Feedback is consistent also with "the other forum" and, when it comes to spotting fakes, shows that you trust gut instinct if you feel it's not right. Glad I kept my money in my pocket... when I post my other stuff (which I did buy, for only a small amount of Georgian Lari's) I'll see whether I did OK there though:)

3rd awarding, serial number 6014 + booklet extremely difficult from these unfocussed pics of course... but still, appreciate your feedback the price was attractive enough to want to buy it but substantial enough to not take a blind risk The 3rd award - as per Echoes of War - would have been given between 5-11-50 and 15-11-50.... probably long service? The 2nd... war time? The 1st... idem?

Will be posting some scans of awards I purchased there later today. Nothing major / shocking (although very nice deputat badge with low number is an interesting) but am considering researching a couple: - high numbered red star with booklet - WW2 issue order of great patriotic war Of course... assuming what I purchased is real. Will also post some pics of interesting museums: Museum of Stalin and, close by, a nice local WW2 museum with some awards and stuff. That's for later today. First though... an item which I didn't buy but still have an option on and would appreciate your feedback. - Order of Red Banner 3rd awarding - with booklet Does this set make sense? Pics coming in a minute.

Yes, please do. Might already have it but want to get some first research done on some awards I have so any / all routes are good:)

Please explain - people with lots of $$$ can't be "real" collectors? Or does the source of the money define this?

Nice - looks a lot like a certain Soviet award

How much would these cost (afghanistan medal + booklet)?

What are the non-military awards that can be researched? How about prizes / distinguished titles?

Contact of mine in eastern europe has mentioned this prize which apparently is similar to the Dimitrov prize known in Bulgaria. Anybody here heard of it before or even seen it?

I guess I wasn't far off with the 3K for an SB prediction by end of this year. Anyway, haven't posted much in recent months for a number of reasons: - fewer purchases (not much coming available which I am very interested in + what is tends to be quite expensive) - what I did acquire was not "new" to the forum anyway - spent much more time / $ on Albanian awards I agree, research will be an exciting new trigger for this forum. For me, I've slowly decided to focus myself though and stop the slippery slope I was on of the Mongolian badges:) When I return from vacation, I will in fact - first time in a long time - get my shoeboxes full of awards out and unpack everything for a thorough review... will see if - with more knowledge now - I spot any interesting new things on old items and post them here.

Thanks for your help. 150 USD offer doesn't seem like the right price to take such risk. We'll see what else this person will bring with him next time I see him.

I can safely guess about the Soviet Georgia, but please share with us what is scary about things coming from US Georgia? but

Hi, Travelling in Georgia (the Soviet, not the US version) and have opportunity to buys some interesting items... however, don't have all sources easily at hand:( Quick question... Order of Red Banner nr 151387... would it make sense that this is originally a screwback converted to a pinback? Any specific things to look out for? Thanks... seeing seller this saterday so appreciate any help. He might have some more items incl. Lenin, Labour Hero star, etc for sale... will have the unenviable task of deciding to take risk and purchase without being able to review books etc. first or to walk away.... arghhh Thanks, Bob

At those prices, I think my mongolian collection will have to stay as it is unfortunately. The days of "cheap" SB's are clearly over... although it's surprising to see such a huge price difference between 2 dealer sites... having said that, with SB's going for 1600-1800 USD in Mongolia right now, I suspect 3.000 USD from dealer will not be the end point. Please all, stay away from Albanian awards so I can have them all!

Valid points Ed. In a discussion most people naturally "dislike" Don't want to get into a "I'm less immoral than rest" kind of discussion, but at least people on forum such as this try to share their collections and contribute to collective learning on the phaleristic area. Still is better in my eyes than some first class super expense order "disappearing" and never beingg heard of again.

Regarding the Prizren Treaty, from Wikipedia: "During the late 19th century the city became a focal point for Albanian nationalism and saw the creation in 1878 of the League of Prizren, a movement formed to seek the national unification and liberation of Albanians within the Ottoman Empire. " http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/League_of_Prizren

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