Bulgaria A Good Beginning...

[Greg Collins]

As many of you probably already know, I've been collecting for awhile (Soviet, Mongolian, East German, Bulgarian, Romanian...). I've now begun my Hungarian collection. Unlike most of the other collections, I really have no "specialty" in mind here; I'm strictly collecting what appeals visually to me. What has impressed me most about Hungarian items is the lavish use of enamel- this seems to extend to most ODM's and badges. Before I go any further, I'd like to say that the most valuable piece in the collection to date is Charles Duncan's master work (#40 of 200).

Now to the few items I have... first, a couple of Kivalo Dolgozo badges (one of the Rakosi period and one of the late Kadar period) and a Stakhanovist badge from 1953.

[Greg Collins]

Some KISZ badges (a general membership badge and three "level" badges), a "Ready for Labour and Defense" badge (nearly the same in most of the Warsaw Pact) with the Rakosi arms at the top, and an interesting Socialist Brigade badge with a plastic star mounted at the center.

[Greg Collins]

A Czechoslovakian-made "Perfect Border Guard" badge. The type on the "nut" indicates it was make at the Zhukov mint.

[Greg Collins]

A couple of military proficiency badges. The one with the white surround is for a "Perfect" soldier, while the one with the brass surround is for an "Advanced" soldier. Both have the changable number "1", and both are from the Kadar period.

[Greg Collins]

A group of Socialist Brigade sets; a boxed high brigade set, flanked by gold and bronze level sets.

Edited April 21, 2010 by Greg Collins

[Greg Collins]

On to the medals and orders... a '53 Medal of Labour and a '57 Medal of Service.

[Greg Collins]

A late model Brotherhood medal and ribbon, silver grade.

[Greg Collins]

A boxed Workers' Militia Commemorative Medal and ribbon from 1964.

[Greg Collins]

A boxed (no ribbon) 15 Year Defense Service Medal.

[Greg Collins]

Boxed with ribbons, silver and gold Medals for Service to the Country.

[Greg Collins]

Finally (for now) my gold and bronze Orders of Labour, boxed with ribbons (thanks for helping me complete the gold, Charles). Both are flat backed.

I'll be adding more as I acquire.:D

[hunyadi]

Greg - that is a very nice beginning. I am particularly interested in the Border Gurad badge with the Czech screwback. I have not seen one like that yet. :jumping:

[Greg Collins]

Thanks, Charles. As I had seen so much beautiful enamel work coming out of Hungary, I thought it odd that this piece would be "jobbed out" to Czechoslovakia. This is why I chose this badge over others being offered- those little "odd-ball" things that make collecting so much fun.

[Yildirim]

Very nice for the beginning!

[Ulsterman]

yeah-very cool Border guard badge! I like that sport badge too! :cheers:

[Greg Collins]

A few more items to show... first, a rather "rode hard and put up wet" DISZ badge. Very small size- I believe a US dime would cover it. I'm looking for one of these in a larger size.

[Greg Collins]

Next, a Socialist Brigade set in silver (somewhat tarnished)...

[Greg Collins]

A set of Excellent Worker of Light Industries badges...

[Greg Collins]

A badge for excellent work in the Workers' Militia...

[Greg Collins]

5 years service in the Voluntary Police (the Hungarian equivalent of Drushnik?)...

[Greg Collins]

A Kadar period ministerial Excellent Worker badge:

[Greg Collins]

An MHSZ (which I believe to be the equivalent of the DOSAAF) Excellent Work badge in case. The badge is rather small and is somewhat dwarfed by the plastic case

[Greg Collins]

A detail of the badge itself...

[Greg Collins]

And, finally, a pair of military academy badges. The white one is from the Zrinyi Military Academy and the blue one is used when the recipient graduates from a civilian university. As you can see, the blue badge has suffered some enamel loss in the area of, and surrounding, the lower shield.

I have four more items in transit. When they arrive and I have posted them here, I'll consider that the end of this beginning.

[hunyadi]

Nice pieces Greg - sent you a PM. The question is "when do I stop??" its a slippery slope :whistle: