RobW

Hello David, Welcome to the forum. I am sure that you will find much information of assistance amongst the threads here. Good luck on your impending search to locate an example of each official and unofficial variety. I am sure that it will be an interesting journey. Regards, Rob

Hello Bill, Despite the accumulation of residue amongst the base relief, possibly from cleaning, this is a good looking official piece. I am sure it could be cleaned up with some careful brushing to remove the residue buildup. A quick dip in an ultrasonic cleaner should remove all that buildup. While the price could be considered high it is nonetheless a rare piece, as far as the entire interallied vic series is concerned. These original pieces do not appear that often and are, with the Brazil vic, most often missing from a vic collection. Regards, Rob

Hello Jim, Poster and Owner: Yes. Regards, Rob

Hello Paul, I have both a type 1 and a type 2 and I never really took that much attention to any differences in the relief. While my collection is in long-term storage the next time I am in a position to review them, I shall take a closer look. I do know, however, that the type 1 is much more rarely seen than the type 2. Regards, Rob

Hello Lambert, It appears that the mystery of the earlier cuban vic (posts #128 & #136) has been solved. Regards, Rob

Hello Lambert, They all have a small tab of velcro on the reverse with the country identifyer as well. This would suggest they have been produced for a board or some other display as a large group. What is very interesting is the copy of the Polish fake. Seems very ironic that faked items are now being copied as if that gives them some form of legitimacy. With the 100 year anniversary of the Great War approaching we might probably expect to see some more interest in the vic series as a result. At least new collectors have this resource available to assist them. Regards, Rob

Hello Bill and GM1, This seems the most plausible reason. If the suspension ball was actually sawn there would be marks and the ring is actually too large to fit through the resulting crack. This supports the tension cracking option. An interesting item nonetheless. Regards, Rob

Hello Lambert, The item has yet to arrive but I have a picture of the rim from another Italian repro to illustrate the mark. It is listed as the US repro type 2 in the Laslo reference (1992 edition). Regards, Rob

Hello Bill, While most collectors know the Polish vic is a pure fantasy item it still doesn't stop them from selling. I have them mainly for educative purposes. I am sure that new 'old' ones will appear on ebay in the future. Regards, Rob

Hello GM1, You have some very nice Riemer examples. A query on the example with the smallest ball suspender (on the left as viewed as the group). On close inspection it appears that the ball suspender has actually cracked where the solder is on the obverse. Is this the case or is it a trick of the lights? Regards, Rob

Hello Lambert, My appearances will be both fleeting and irregular as work intrudes. Regards, Rob

To all, There is a nice Greek miniature vic currently on ebay (auction numbers: 400598211038 and 360782825078). Despite the two listing it is the same item. These miniatures do not appear that often. Regards, Rob

To all, A recent acquisition. It is a 'MADE IN ITALY' reproduction type (as defined by Alex Laslo). It has this mark stamped on the rim at the base. In addition it has a reproduction NAVAL BATTERY bar. The background of the bar has a slightly raised pebbled surface. The italian repro is not often seen and even moreso rarely with a Navy/USMC bar. Regards, Rob

To all, I would agree that upon reviewing there is also the possibility that this example is actually an official strike. It certainly looks a nice strike but again without a look at the rim, we shall never know. Regards, Rob

Hello Bill, Given the number of unofficial types and varieties it is not altogether unexpected that there would be a myriad of suspension devices and types. I am sure that there would have been all manner of minor variations in production dependant on the local Romanian manufacturer. I have also seen examples were the barrel suspender looked more like a ring and/or a cylinder. Regards, Rob

Hello Bill, Correct on both accounts. The first edition was published in 1986 with a total of 765 numbered copies. The second edition was published in 1992 in an unknown quantity and was un-numbered. One of the major differences between edition one and two was the inclusion of the Battle Clasp matrix on page 94. Notwithstanding that the updated 1992 edition has all the latest information (at the time), including the type classifications. Having the reference (2nd edition) is advantageous especially as there are so many references to it here on this forum. It also allows for collectors to update their copy as newer information comes to hand or emends older information. Regards, Rob

Hello Lambert, An interesting piece indeed. On close-up it appears to be a cast copy. The 'C Charles' makers mark on the obverse appears clean but with no pictures of the rim, to check for the 'AC' and BRONZE marks, it will be difficult to be definitive either way. Regards, Rob

Hello GM1, It is not unusual to see differences in finish and metal content with these Riemer types. You have three good examples with different ball suspenders. The larger ring-cylinder is seen less often than the usual ball suspender. Regards, Rob

To one and all, Late to the party again... To respond to some of the earlier comments. In 2009 I obtained the cuban group indicated in posts 1 & 2 of this thread. The group that arrived from the vendor was not entirely consistent with what the illustrations showed. I am sure that other collectors have had similar occurrences. This makes my original comments at that time redundant as well. Irrespective I have since obtained the original piece and have re-united it with the group. The gilt example, as per the accompanying picture, is in the same format and design as the bronze example indicated by Lambert in post #71 and seen on the ebay auction. It is from my picture archives as I don't have access to the actual group at the moment. That would suggest that this is a particular design type probably produced by a local cuban manufacturer. It also has a slightly off-centre and squashed ball suspender. Either way this new variety continues to show that there are always more varieties out there just waiting to be identified. Regards, Rob

To all, The vendor indicated that the collection was put together by a US collector in the 1970's. This at least identifies the era of collection and gives us a snapshot as to those varieties available at the time. Regards, Rob

Jim, The following excerpt from Mr Laslo's volume (2nd edition) seems pretty self-explanatory to me. "Type 3a - Reverse has the correct use of the letter 'G' except for Greece which reads 'CRECIA'. Other reverse die variations compared to the Unofficial Type 3." The picture in post #158 meets all those criteria. I have also included a screenshot of the text from page 79 of Mr Laslo's book for others to reference. Regards, Rob

Hello Bill, A nice example, in surprisingly good condition, of the unofficial type 1. Have fun trying to obtain a replacement ribbon. Regards, Rob

Hello Bill, Yes; that is a nice succinct collection of type examples. A closer inspection of each individual example, in the close-up pics, provides some more clarity to the varieties. Looking at these close-ups I identified the following: * Belgian - Official strike. * Brazil - An official strike. Not being able to see the rim means you can't see if it is a type 1 or a type 2. * Cuba - very difficult to tell due to the darkness of the close-up picture. * Czechoslovak - Reissue type 1. * France - Official type. * Great Britain - Official type 2. * Greece - Unofficial type 2. * Italy - Official type, difficult to tell if type 1, 2, or 3 * Japan - definitely a reproduction type. * Portugal - Reproduction type 2. * Romania - Official type. * Siam - Reproduction type 1. * South Africa - difficult to see at the bottom of the display but certainly looks like an official strike. * United States - Reproduction type. The numbering variety types are taken from Alex Laslo's second edition. All in all a good collection of type examples. What is interesting is the large number of reproduction examples with the Czechoslovak Reissue type 1 being particularly difficult to find. It would be of note to see the background behind this collection. I am sure if there is a very keen buyer, not wanting to sit and wait patiently to accrue such a type collection over time, this would be a very attractive opportunity. Regards, Rob

Hello Jim, The numbering system for my post (# 158) identifying the item as the unofficial type 3a, is based off that in Mr Laslo's second edition book. I am sure that there are other examples and varieties, as shown in your post. Regards, Rob

Hello Lambert, A very nice piece that you have obtained. The edge markings of Chobillon and BRONZE are very clear. Regards, Rob