A "Hero"(?) Star, from where?

[Elmar Lang]

Hello,

Many years ago, I've bought this star; it is the same size of a Soviet Hero of the Socialist Labour.

The centre medallion has the enamelled profile of a state within laurel branches and the lower rays show an inscription in arabic writing.

The reverse is plain (with a strong trace of proof to see if the piece was made of gold...).

Material: bronze with thin gilding and synthetic/varnish enamel.

Ribbon: white and light grey/green.

Could anyone identify this piece?

Best wishes,

Enzo

Edited January 16, 2008 by Elmar Lang

[Elmar Lang]

and the reverse side:

[Guest Rick Research]

The "map" appears to be an Israel-gone "Palestine."

[Ed_Haynes]

FASCINATING! Yes, Palestine. Need to check Owain's fine article on Palestinian ODM.

Lovely lovely lovely.

[Elmar Lang]

Hello,

thank so much for the news!

Any idea about the award period of this decoration? Or the meaning of the inscription?

Sincerely,

Enzo

[Ed_Haynes]

The two letters on the lower star points seem to be (right-to-left, of course) "J" and "D".

I can't recall if Owain treated this in his JOMSA article. I am at work and the journals are at home. Given where this is placed, Owain probably won't see the post. (If it were moved to Middle East, he would, hint, hint . . . .)

[Ulsterman]

Palestine????

It must be very early PLO (e.g. 1960s-1970s) by the construction.

I can't wait to see what owain says.

[oamotme]

Aaaaaaaaaarrgh - as ever when you think you've seen it all something else appears. To be honest no idea what this is although at a guess the JD could stand for Jibha Dimocratiya - Democratic Front and thus indicative of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) - founded in 1969 by Nayef Hawatimah. I will need to look up my notes to see if my background research to the article gives me something more substantive to go on. A wonderful piece and as indicated probably of East German manufacture. Despite the wear it is obvious that care and attention was lgiven in the design and manufacture. Usually awards instituted by the various Palestinian factions clearly and in full indicate which faction they are - PLO, PLF, PFLP, PFLP-GC and DFLP, plus others.

I attach another unrecorded award - this time from FATAH - on Ebay quite a while ago which I missed!

In frustration..........

Owain.

Obverse FATAH & "Movement for the Liberation of the Nation of Palestine"

Revers - as above and also "Revolution to Victory"

Of course I have no idea if the ribbon actually goes with the medal....

Edited January 20, 2008 by oamotme

[Elmar Lang]

Hello,

thank you very much for your contribution to solve the "mistery" about my piece: now I know a lot more about it.

It would be great to discover, one day,which type of decoration was this one. It is in the "line" -aesthetically- with the stars for heroism of the former socialist countries; but I understand that most of these awards were instituted even by little organizations and they had few chances to publish books like "Orders and Decorations of the..." for us collectors and enthusiasts!

Sincerely,

Enzo

Edited January 20, 2008 by Elmar Lang

[oamotme]

Enzo,

I seem to recall that Nayef Hawatemeh spent time in Aden as a guest of the PDRY government and the awards of the PDRY were procured from Moscow (most senior awards), Berlin (internal security awards), Budapest (most others). It may be that this is how such a contact was made. The PDRY had its own "Hero Star" - very cheap and tacky and I think Hungarian manufacture........but perhaps I digress.

Owain

[Elmar Lang]

Hi Owain,

I don't think that this could be a digression: it's a starting point from where to begin a comparative study of "socialist-inspired" awards from the Middle East.

Of course, the attractive design of the Soviet "hero" star was the model for the highest decorations of almost all the Socialist Countries (with the exception of Poland, the only state of the Warsaw Pact still retaining cross-shaped orders and decorations).

I am sure that the man who received my simple and poorly-made star was very proud of it.

If a decoration could speak...

Best wishes,

Enzo

[oamotme]

Enzo,

With regard to the awards of the PDRY, from my records the "Orders" appear to be as follows:

Hungarian Manufacture

O. of 22 June - neck badge

O.of The Land (or Earth) - neck badge

O.of Devotion - 3 classes

O.of Science

Hero of Yemen Star

O.of War Wounded

Soviet Manufacture

O.of Revolution

O of Independence

O.of Friendship

O.of 22 June (same as above but a breast badge.)

O.of Bravery

DDR Manufacture

Ministry of State Security Order of Bravery

In addition to these there is a vast array of medals. I have completed a draft for submission - some 40 pages without illustrations - to JOMSA possibly as a Monograph and am currently contemplating orgainsing the illustrations.

Owain

[Ulsterman]

Interesting Hungarian manufacturers-as we have a couple of stalwart members in Budapest, perhaps a phone call or two might elicit some information as to pieces manufactured and when/where/how etc..

[Guest IMHF]

Very Beautiful piece.......

Thank you for posting here on the GMIC

SSG Luna, Lorenzo