Bob

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

- Always Ready badge - 15th Anniversary of Peoples Army badge

Here's some more badges - 100th Anniversary of Prizren Treaty - Distinguished Officer - Distinguished Village Youth - Distinguished Volunteer

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=13177 To link this all into 1 thread. Our forum's Albanian friend has informed me that there are so few of these because, similar to what one sometimes sees in other countries, it had to be replaced by a new one. Fortunately some people were stubborn and didn't do that

True, but besides being important... I find it all very amusing to read socialist propaganda "lingo"... To give a more modern day example: "Socialism is human. Socialism is love" - Hugo Chavez upon winning elections this week:)

And if you put one of his items in your "reminder" list on eBay, boom... there'd be a bid from Chinggisron on it just to tempt you to get bidding yourself:) Speaking of the items this person is selling, what are all your thoughts on the numbered inventor medal that he is selling?

As per Eric's post elsewhere about further expanding eastern european socialist state research, I figured a good way to start would be to use the existing forum. So let's use this thread for any books that would be useful for studying Albanian awards. First, a very useful book for learning about the history of Albania: - History of the Party of Labor of Albania - Published by the "Institute of Marxist-Leninist Studies at the Central Committee of the Party of Labor of Albania" I bought it on eBay but see now that you can also easily get it on www.abe.com Have just browsed through it sofar but provides a lot of interesting background to an important institution as well as dates / names in Albanian history.

I agree that a "country" focus would probably be best to limit scope and achieve comprehensive coverage in a specific area. I'd like to contribute obviously to the Albania section. I also have a limited interest also in Bulgarian awards - for which quite some good documentation already exists. In addition, I'd be interested in zooming in on Moldovan awards although I have nothing to contribute there yet (apart from my recommendation on Moldovan wine and Moldovan ladies). This of course next to my other interests, mainly being Mongolian awards and - more recently - Order of Tamara (for which I am trying to bit by bit collect available knowledge into one English language document much like Eric's on Albanian awards but obviously limited to only 1 award). Did I mention focus?

And here a nice little (thumbnail sized - makes you wonder who actually used to wear these) Chinese badge: "Long Live the Friendship between China & Albania"

Reverse

Let's by default make this thread into the "badge" thread then. Will inevitably contain mainly undocumented items. 5 badges (right to left): - Distinguished Artist Badge - Distinguished Military Cadet Badge - Distinguished Soldier Badge - unknown - 40th Liberation Anniversary Badge Apart from the first one, generally not "high quality" (i.e. a cheapish flimsy feel / weight) although the design isn't half bad.

What I don't understand though is why specifically "Remembrance 1942-1943". I've been reading up on wartime Albanian history and - if I had to choose a time period where I'd expect a specific medal, would have expected 43-44 to refer to the crucial winter campaign.

I stand corrected, beyond guessing, we can also refer to Eric

Hi there Elvis, Interesting! Are there any markings on the reverse or on the ring (whether text or silvermark)? I'm afraid odds will be that all we can do is guess about this medal... Albanian awards is still a bit "mysterious" but that makes it even more interesting:) I like the socialist depiction on the medal

Wasn't the fact that he was "in power" reason enough for him to be deserving? This apart from the fact that - reading a book with details about Brezhnev - it doesn't seem he was very much "in power". Perhaps awards was one way to keep the doggy happy?

The Polar Star isn't chaotic, it's just "different"

Aha, it wasn't just me then

So, did you end up buying Tito's Order of Victory?

I don't quite like the patina. I say it's a fake. Oops... wrong forum. Sorry

Did all people who were awarded the title also (either to themselves or their family) get an actual award? Was there any similarity with USSR where a hero would get hero title + hero star + order of lenin? What else could you share about the statutes for example... criteria for becoming a hero, priveleges coming with the title, etc? As you can see... being Albanian on this forum makes you the object of many questions

Yes we are interested - please tell! And perhaps also a pic of front and back?

Thanks Dave. I'm not as experienced a Soviet collector as many others here including you but I am still surprised at how few "name / date / place of action" inscribed awards then appear. I'd think it would almost be a "natural" thing to do with some of these awards (humans like to scribble stuff on things:)). Or was there a culture to prefer to stay "anonymous" perhaps? Any pics of such inscribed awards? How rare are these inscribed awards?