Albania - Albanian threads index

[Bob]

Given there is no seperate Albania section (pre socialist) and not being entirely altruistic, i just find it useful to not have to search each time. Will be making a post after my return from Belgrade in here as well. Would like to get to a clear (?) comprehensive list of all pre-socialist awards. Reading the threads and other sites, it just is not clear for me.

Wied era medals

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=33865&st=80

Facist militia

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=41948

Collar of Albania

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=34967

Italy medals relating to Albania

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=35151

Italian army in Albania

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=34307

King Albert collier

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=34942

The Accession of Wilhelm of Weid medal

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=8404

Bust of King Zog

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=34453

Black Eagle Order

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=32035

Red Cross Medal

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=20563

Order of the Black Eagle

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=2724

[Bob]

By the way, www.sangiorgioaste.com is auctioning off some interesting items... they are spread out across the online catalogue so you have to look around a bit.

[JimZ]

Hi Bob,

I go through each thread and title and modify titles accordingly to make sure that the relevant countries in the thread are usually reflected in the title. This should make all serches easier - hence a thread stating "Albania - xxxxxxxxx" will refer to Albanian interests. And similarly with all other thread titles in the Southern European & Balkan States forum. I trust this should at least facilitate searches and also encourage new threads titles within this forum to take up similar formats - makes life a touch easier for me

Regards,

Jim :cheers:

[Bob]

aha, i had not noticed or thought of that:) effect is the same:)

[Eric Schena]

Hi Bob:

Been a while - hope you're doing well!

Here are two additional threads on Italian era badges:

Albanian Fascist Party badge:

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=38748

Albanian Badge for Operations in Yugoslavia and Greece:

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=16967

Cheers,

Eric

[Bob]

OK, the reason i started this thread is because i want to dip further into pre-socialist albanian awards. The era's we are discussing then are:

- 1914 = Wied

- 1920-1928 = Republic

- 1928-1939 = King Zog I

- 1939-1943 = Italian occupation

- 1944-onwards = People's Republic

In order to start dipping deeper, I was really looking for a good typology... but couldn't make much sense out of the threads in place. So started (on paper) to create one overview... with more questions than i would have imagined. Then i spent today with a dealer/collector in Belgrade. Sharing anecdotes, him showing me his Albanian, Yugoslav, etc. collection, sipping some Rakija in between, and presto this gentleman starts digging into his ODM book collection... and after a while a local catalogue comes out with what appears to be an exhaustive typology (as well as many pics, price indications, etc.). So, I'll try to get a copy of this catalogue in coming weeks (e.g. it contained an Albanian Collor which is different than the one shown in threads here as well as other new items). I already am copying the typology here though. For the moment, leaving badges out... leaving that for later.

A MEDALS

1 1914 Accession Medal

2 1924 Commemorative Medal

B ORDER OF BLACK EAGLE (1914)

1 Grand Cross (consisting of cross + breast star)

2 Grand Officer (consisting of neck badge + breast star)

3 Commander

4 Officer

5 Knight

6 Medal: gold / silver / bronze

C ORDER OF SCANDERBEG (1925)

1 Grand Cross (consisting of cross + breast star)

2 Grand Officer (consisting of neck badge + breast star)

3 Commander

4 Officer

5 Knight

C1-5 are found in two types:

- type 1 (1925-1940) i.e. left facing goat (?)

- type 2 (1940-1944) i.e. right facing goat

D HONOR COLLOR OF ALBANIA (1925)

E ALBANIAN KNIGHTS OF MALTA ORDER (1926)

1 Collar

2 Grand Cross Badge

3 Commander

4 Officer (breast badge)

5 Knight

F ORDER OF FIDELITY (1926)

1 Grand Cross (consisting of cross + breast star)

2 Grand Officer (consisting of neck badge + breast star)

3 Commander

4 Officer

5 Knight

F1-5 are found in two types:

- type 1 (1926-1940)

- type 2 (1940-1944) i.e. FERT

G ORDER OF BRAVERY (1928)

1 1st class neckbadge

2 1st class breast star

3 2nd class neckbadge

4 3rd class medal

=================================

I will try to obtain the catalogue with color pictures and post scans here to illustrate the above. From that moment, i think this should provide an interesting base for discussion. Appreciate any comments - please do not just indicate something is "wrong" but also indicate what you believe it should be and be very specific. I realize some of the above may raise questions, hence getting my hands on a copy of the catalogue will be very useful (especially related to the collars I guess... that'll raise some eyebrows:))

[Bob]

Hi Bob:

Been a while - hope you're doing well!

Here are two additional threads on Italian era badges:

Albanian Fascist Party badge:

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=38748

Albanian Badge for Operations in Yugoslavia and Greece:

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=16967

Cheers,

Eric

Hi Eric, thanks - will add badges to structure as well. Will also send you a PM on different topic.

[Bob]

http://www.emedals.ca/catalog.asp?item=A967#bigPic

http://www.ormedec.com/

http://www.omsa.org/forums/showthread.php?t=3825

links to the catalogue i was referring to... have placed an order and hope to get it soon, a very handy couple of pages on pre-socialist Albanian awards

[Eric Schena]

How detailed into a typology do you want to get? Down to makers? I should note that Leka awarded Skanderbegs and Besa Orders in exile and there's quite a bit of discussion and controversy about those pieces.

Here are some notes off the top of my head:

WILHELM ERA:

Medal of the Order of the Black Eagle

a. Made by Willibald Kluge

b. Made by Arthus Bertrand

ZOG ERA:

Commemorative Medal of 24 December 1924

a. Gold (does that even exist?)

b. Silver

c. Bronze

[Bob]

Thanks Eric, when it becomes too detailed, I will let you know:)

Just trying to (long overdue) get a decent typology in one place.

How do you see the difference between Kluge and Bertrand if I may ask?

[Bob]

Updated

A MEDALS

1 1914 Accession Medal

2 Commemorative Medal of 24 December 1924

a Gold (not sure)

b Silver

c Bronze

B ORDER OF BLACK EAGLE (1914)

1 Grand Cross (consisting of cross + breast star)

2 Grand Officer (consisting of neck badge + breast star)

3 Commander

4 Officer

5 Knight

6 Medal

a Gold

b Silver

c Bronze

B6 sighted both as Willibald Kluge and Arthus Bertrand produced.

C ORDER OF SCANDERBEG (1925)

1 Grand Cross (consisting of cross + breast star)

2 Grand Officer (consisting of neck badge + breast star)

3 Commander

4 Officer

5 Knight

C1-5 are found in two types:

- type 1 (1925-1940) i.e. left facing goat (?)

- type 2 (1940-1944) i.e. right facing goat

D HONOR COLLOR OF ALBANIA (1925)

E ALBANIAN KNIGHTS OF MALTA ORDER (1926)

1 Collar

2 Grand Cross Badge

3 Commander

4 Officer (breast badge)

5 Knight

F ORDER OF FIDELITY (1926)

1 Grand Cross (consisting of cross + breast star)

2 Grand Officer (consisting of neck badge + breast star)

3 Commander

4 Officer

5 Knight

F1-5 are found in two types:

- type 1 (1926-1940)

- type 2 (1940-1944) i.e. FERT

G ORDER OF BRAVERY (1928)

1 1st class neckbadge

2 1st class breast star

3 2nd class neckbadge

4 3rd class medal

[Eric Schena]

How do you see the difference between Kluge and Bertrand if I may ask?

I am not 100% sure myself to be honest. My understanding is that there are very minor differences with regards to attachment ring size and the edge beveling.

What little I have heard about these is that it seems that the Kluge pieces were the ones awarded when he was in Albania and the Bertrand pieces are the exile pieces (Wilhelm supposedly continued to award decorations for a few years after he was forced into exile). Again, this is not documented, but is included here for discussion...

[Bob]

Substantial update, liberally using Christopher Buyers website (http://www.royalark.net/) and expanding on it from other sources to create one overview of typology. Next focus will be on adding more manufacturers details and trying to figure out online / via mail what the validity is of this Malta Order as well as a first jab at the badges.

A MEDALS

1 1914 Accession Medal

2 Commemorative Medal of 24 December 1924 (instituted to commemorate King Zog I's assumption of power on 24th December 1924, but later awarded as a decoration for distinguished and personal services to the sovereign)

2a Gold (not yet observed)

2b Silver

2c Bronze

3 Commemorative Medal for the Expedition to Albania (instituted on 7 March 1940 to be awarded to military and civilian participants in the Italian occupation of Albania; multiple types exist)

B ORDER OF BLACK EAGLE (1914)

1 Grand Cross (consisting of cross + breast star)

2 Grand Officer (consisting of neck badge + breast star)

3 Commander

4 Officer

5 Knight

6 Medal

6a Gold

6b Silver

6c Bronze

B6 sighted both as Willibald Kluge and Arthus Bertrand produced.

C ORDER OF SCANDERBEG - Urdhëri i Skënderbeut (instituted 12th December 1925)

1 Grand Cross - Kordon i Madh me Yll (consisting of cross + breast star)

2 Grand Officer - Oficer i Madh (consisting of neck badge + breast star)

3 Commander - Kumandar

4 Officer - Oficer

5 Knight - Kalorës

C1-5 are found in two types:

- type 1 (1925-1940) i.e. left facing goat (?)

- type 2 (1940-1944) i.e. right facing goat

D HONOR COLLOR OF ALBANIA (1925)

Is this simply a superior class of the Order of Scanderbeg (Grand Collar - Kular i Madh) with awarding restricted to Heads of State? As per Christopher Buyers website: "The only statutes for a collar are the Order of Scanderbeg, the actual insignia for which includes the Scanderbeg badge, differenced slightly by a shield shaped background in the centre rather than a circular disc."

E ALBANIAN KNIGHTS OF MALTA ORDER (1926)

1 Collar

2 Grand Cross Badge

3 Commander

4 Officer (breast badge)

5 Knight

F ORDER OF FIDELITY - Urdhëri Besa (instituded 22nd January 1926)

1 Grand Cross - Kordon i Madh me Yll (consisting of cross + breast star)

2 Grand Officer - Oficer i Madh(consisting of neck badge + breast star)

3 Commander - Kumandar

4 Officer

5 Knight - Kalorës

F1-5 are found in two types:

- type 1 (1926-1940); only 4 classes + medal in this type (i.e. excluding officer)?

- type 2 (1940-1944) i.e. FERT; expanded to 5 classes

G ORDER OF BRAVERY AND MILITARY MERIT - Urdhëri i Trimërisë me Meritë Ushtarak (instituted in 1928 as a military decoration to reward bravery and distinguished services during war or in defence of the fatherland)

1 1st class or Hero - Hero (consisting of neckbadge and breast star; supposedly ranked before all other decorations and medals)

2 2nd class or Martyr - Theror (consisting of neckbadge only?)

3 3rd class or Brave - Trim

4 Medal of Bravery - Medalja i Trimërisë (military medal for officers, non-commissioned officers and men of the Albanian military forces and gendarmerie to recognise and reward individual acts of bravery in the face of the enemy or in defence of the fatherland)

4a Gold Medal of Bravery - Medalja e Artë e Trimërisë – for acts of valour

4b Silver Medal of Bravery - Medalja e Argjend e Trimërisë – for acts of gallantry

4c Bronze Medal of Bravery - Medalja e Bronz e Trimërisë – for bravery conduct

Potentially the G4 split into 3 classes actually refers to the B6 medal and in fact there are only the three classes (G1-3) with G3 being the bronze bravery medal seen on several occasions.

H DECORATION FOR ARTS AND SCIENCES (instituted in 1928)

To reward services to the arts and for achievements in scientific merit

I BADGES

1 10th anniversary of the monarchy (1938; reverse: E. Gardino, Roma)

2 Albanian Badge for Operations in Yugoslavia and Greece (1941; different types exist i.e. 4 manufacturing variations - Boeri (Rome), Lorioli Fratelli (Milan), S. Johnson (Rome & Milan), unmarked - and the unmarked variation breaks down into both a painted and an enameled version)

3 Albanian Fascist Militia (1939-1943)

4 Albanian Fascist Party - Partia Fashiste e Shqipërisë - PFSh

Edited February 8, 2010 by Bob

[Bob]

From Borna Barac's catalogue (he borrowed scans from auctions as I understand) - Albanian Knights of Malta Order.... a mystery.

Has anybody gotten it confirmed by... the Knights of Malta?

[Bob]

Honor Collor of Albania, from the same book. I suspect (also based on the other thread) that this should be moved under the (or rather, on top of) Order of Scanderbeg. Any other thoughts?

[Zaim Qyteza]

From Borna Barac's catalogue (he borrowed scans from auctions as I understand) - Albanian Knights of Malta Order.... a mystery.

Has anybody gotten it confirmed by... the Knights of Malta?

Hi Bob,

I think this is a modern production (possibly post WW2). The red enamel eagles of the trophy ate taken from the grand star of Scanderbeg Order Italian period (1940). The four eagles between the cross arms are taken from the grand star of the Besa Order Italian period (1940). Albania do not use decorations of cross shaped, because is a many-religious country.

Regards,

Artan

[taras]

Hi Gentlemen!

Does anyone know anything about the orders and medals of modern (post-socialist) Albania?

Thanks

[Bob]

Just saw this, it is written by a forum member!

http://www.albaniancorner.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=651

Can hardly wait to get it! :)

[James Hoard]

Honor Collor of Albania, from the same book. I suspect (also based on the other thread) that this should be moved under the (or rather, on top of) Order of Scanderbeg. Any other thoughts?

I have the same feeling about this picture as the other poster regarding the Knights of Malta.

This also does not look "kosher" to me. Either a mock-up or a drawing. Quite apart from the differences from the collars worn by King Zog in contemporary photographs, here the 'eyelets' appear solid and. One cannot really hang anything through something solid. The entire reverse appears to be flat.

Cheers,

James Hoard

[Bob]

Just saw this, it is written by a forum member!

http://www.albaniancorner.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=651

Can hardly wait to get it!

2 great books - more pictures / variations / etc. then one can see anywhere else. And I do mean LOTS of pictures!

Also some variations / awards which I've not seen before and interesting to see modern Albanian awards (although not necessarily beautiful).

[Zaim Qyteza]

2 great books - more pictures / variations / etc. then one can see anywhere else. And I do mean LOTS of pictures!

Also some variations / awards which I've not seen before and interesting to see modern Albanian awards (although not necessarily beautiful).

Bob,

Thank you for the good impressions about my book. I am very happy to receive any kind of suggestions about it.

Regards,

Artan

[Bob]

Hello Artan,

Have taken the Sunday afternoon to again look closely through your 2 books. Triggers many thoughts / questions (and compliments) which I will share one by one over time.

First, in part one on page 55 you have a German imperial medal bar with an Albanian medal 1914 arrival in Durres of Prince Wied. Would it be possible for you to show the scan of this bar here in the right area? The imperial German collectors appear to be quite good at figuring out who things ma have been awarded to and it would be interesting - if lucky - to also find this out for this bar.

Thanks,

Bob

[Bob]

Didn't find another appropriate thread to put this in so figured I'd add it here.

Albanian Order of Scanderbeg Grand Cross set from the era of King Zog - I was quite impressed by it!

No document unfortunately... I had acquired a documented set from the same auction house some time ago but they managed to lose the (beautiful!) document so had to cancel the sale. Somebody somewhere will now potentially be lucky with that document at home...

 

[Bob]

Just in: Albanian Order of Scanderbeg Grand Officer set from the era of King Zog

Grand Officer's Set, 2nd Class, 1st Type, instituted in 1925.

Neck Badge, 73x53 mm, gilt Silver, obverse enameled, obverse central medallions gilt silver, enameled, maker's mark "Ditta Cravanzola, Roma", original suspension ring and ribbon.

Breast Star, 85 mm, Silver with brilliant cut rays, central medallion gilt silver, enameled, reverse with vertical thin pin, maker's mark "E. Gardino – Cravanzola, Roma", in original damaged case of issue by "Cravanzola, Roma" with Albanian double headed eagle on the lid.

Marriage Medal of Prince Leka (2016) - 32 mm, Silvered, maker’s mark "W", original suspension ring and ribbon with suspension bar. Very rare medal, awarded only to the guests of the Royal mariage, mint state! To note, I was (unfortunately) not a guest!

[Bob]

Time to add a few more items

First, not sure what it's for - here is best I can give:

"Albania, Kingdom. An Albanian Association Badge, Unofficial, c. 1941

Three-piece construction, in silver gilt with black, white and red enamels, measuring 37.5 mm (w) x 49 mm (h), intact enamels, caduceus illustrating two snakes wrapped around the Rod of Asciepius in gold-coloured bullion wire in two textures embroidered on its original red ribbon, extremely fine."

Based on the condition I have a hard time imagining it's from the 1940's...

 

And here a nice set - Order of Skanderbeg, Knight Badge with Miniature, c.1941 (Italian Protectorate times). I always try to remove the interior to see what's behind it. In this case just a penciled in nr and a smart little mechanism to 'unlock' the case.