Bulgaria Bulgarian Awards Reference Books

[Guest Rick Research]

Here is my mini library of what I have to TRY and figure out who GOT something and WHY and who DID NOT-- and WHY not. Unfortunately, in virtually all cases, there is ZERO "statutory explanation" for things at all

1) why THIS class of an Order versus THAT class?

2) why THIS Order rather than THAT Order

3) why THIS endless jubilee medal ... but not THAT one?

First up, published in Belgrade waaaaaay back in 1981.

This has the advanatge, for me, of being in English but is incomplete since it ends that far back and does not EXPLAIN anything, really.

I mean, all very nice that everything was "for building socialism" and "fighting fascism" but I very much doubt there was much "fascism" to be fought in Bulgaria in the 1970s when there hadn't ever been any to speak of in the 1930s. :speechless:

[Guest Rick Research]

This is the one I find most useful. Published in 1998 so it is complete to the end of the Communist regime.

Alone of my three reference books inherited from Eric, it actually has SOME explanation about what the requirements were for to be awarded SOME of the jubilee medals-- at least 10 years prior service or 15 years active duty on that date etc.

[Guest Rick Research]

From 2001, this is more of a "catalog," (it, uh SAYS that it is right on the cover, duh!) simply listing and showing awards and describing them (size, colors of ribbon etc) with prices in the home currency (of no use at all for the rest of us).

While it illustrates "types" it does not state when changes occurred. We are probably still working all that sort of thing out today.

What I am looking for is something that EXPLAINS WHY...

someone got the 1876-1976 jubilee medal but NOT the 1878-1978, or WHY somebody got 1300 Years of Bulgaria (every person alive in Bulgaria? ) or who was "entitled" to 40th Anniversaery of the Repoublic and who was NOT.

Communist Bulgaria's endless array of jubilee awards outdid even the Soviets, but there is nothing in print that I know about which explains the RULES for getting almost ALL of those medals. :whistle:

[Greg Collins]

I have two books (both out of print) that I use for the Bulgarian end of my collection. The first, for medals and orders is "Bulgarian Titles Orders and Medals" by Boyan Savov and Angel Garbatchkov (with whom I have dealt with many times). It is a relatively small format, paper bound quick reference book that gives a general description of the award, what it was for (very general) and the number of emissions. I like it for what I use it for, but it is limited.

[Greg Collins]

A look inside...

[Greg Collins]

The next book is one I would, without hesitation, describe as a master work. It is Dr. Riemer's book, "Bulgarian Badges Witness of History". A truly incredible work... very detailed, well laid out, well written, etc.. This particular book is number 85 of a print run of 125. As it name implies, it concentrates primarily on badges although there are a couple of medals contained- commemorative types where the distinction between medal and badge is a bit "blurry". If you get the chance, get this book!

[Greg Collins]

A look inside...

[Greg Collins]

Dr. Riemer follows the development of all badges through all variations...

[Greg Collins]

Included with the book is a very easy to use price guide...

[Guest Rick Research]

:Cat-Scratch: I like the looks of the one with award paperwork also shown, since there remain many things we haven't yet seen.

But PLEASE don't use the Slavobabble "emissions." Automobile exhausts make emissions. Factory smokestacks make emissions. Awards come in types or variants or models or issues. ANYTHING but "emissions!"

As it is, I am unable to batter translation sense into my Russian friends who persist in mis-translating "merit" (zasluga) and "service" (sluzhba) in exactly the same way that the German Verdienst and Dienst are mangled into English.

"Emissions" makes me shriek soundlessly on the inside. SOUND, LIGHT, or GASES are EMITTED. Solids (of any type) are EXCRETED-- and yet we do not say dies are used to "excrete" awards. I suspect that some dictionary back-formation from French is at the root of this thunking linguistic error but It Must Be Stopped.

Raw nerve, huh? I was taught English by the State Normal School Class of 1916 and it hurts to see the language--my language--tortured. It makes me emit groans. :whistle:

[Greg Collins]

"Emissions" seems to be a Bulgarian thing... I first encountered that when looking at a Bulgarian-owned on-line business. It follows through onto the pages of the book shown. In Dr. Riemer's book, the terms "variation" and "type" are most often used. Paperwork is also shown in the Riemer book.

I'm going to make the term "Slavobabble" a part of my daily vocabulary from this point. Great word!