Romania Allexander John Cuza's Order of Union, do examples exist

[paul wood]

I have just encountered a list and photos of a large collection of world Orders and Decoration which include some rare pieces. In the list is a Knight's badge of the Cuza Order of Union, which looks of similar quality to the later Carol I issues. I know Kretly was ordered to make the badges but are any contemporary examples known to exist or were they destroyed or are there later museum quality copies known.

Any information would be gratefully received.

Paul

[922F]

Bucharest's Military Museum had [mid-2008 and likely now] at least 2 Order of the Union knight or officer badges and one commander on display. Believe they are attributed to specific individuals & don't know whether they are 'originals' or old copies. Recall exhibits containing them were rather 'underlit' so a bit difficult to view -- main differences from Star of Romania insigniae are motto and centers. Romanian collectors reported that some Order of the Union insignia stock had been stored in a government office [?] following Curza's ouster and later were either 'updated' to Star of Romania insignia or sold off.

Kev probably knows more.

Edited May 23, 2014 by 922F

[Carol I]

Here is an image of the reverse of the commander's cross of the Order of the Union from the collections of the National Military Museum.

For more images of this order, please take a look at this thread on a Romanian forum: Ordinul Unirii.

[paul wood]

Thank you both for your most helpful replies.

Paul