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Original Flemish collaboration press photo of the Hitlerjugend-Vlaanderen & BDM-Vlaanderen in Gent. Condition as seen. Size: 18x24cm.

Original group of issues of Vrouw en Volk (1943), a scarce publication of the VNVV, the women’s branch of the Flemish VNV. Condition as illustrated. All issues are complete, though they exhibit typical wear; one cover has paper adhered to it (see second image).

Included in this lot: 1943 nos. 5, 6, 9, 11, and 12.

Original French Commemorative War Medal 1914–1918 (Médaille commémorative de la guerre 1914–1918). The Commemorative War Medal 1914–1918 is an official French decoration established by law on 23 June 1920, awarded to military personnel and qualifying civilians who served during the First World War.

It recognizes participation in the conflict between 2 August 1914 and 11 November 1918, regardless of length of mobilization.

Design & Characteristics

• Material: Bronze

• Diameter: approx. 33 mm

• Designer: Pierre-Alexandre Morlon (selected from 73 proposals)

Obverse:

• Profile of Minerva, symbolizing France

• Wearing a 1915-style helmet

• Crowned with laurel leaves and holding a sword

• Surrounded by oak and bay leaves at the suspension

Reverse:

• Inscription:
  “GRANDE GUERRE 1914–1918”

• Encircled by:
  “RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE”

Condition: As seen in the images.

A classic and widely collected First World War medal, representing the full spectrum of service in wartime France, from front-line soldiers to civilian contributors.

Set of an original Belgian Victory Medal 1914–1918 (“Overwinningsmedaille”) (Inter-Allied Victory Medal / “War for Civilization” Medal) + Oorkonde belonging to Soldier Francois of the 2e Regiment de Grenadiers which fought during the Siege of Antwerp, Battle of Ypres, Passendaele etc.

The Belgian Victory Medal 1914–1918, also known as the Inter-Allied Medal 1914–1918 or, after the reverse inscription, the “War for Civilization” Medal, is Belgium’s official Inter-Allied decoration awarded following the Allied victory in the First World War.

Established on 15 July 1919 by King Albert I of the Belgians, this prestigious medal was granted to all members of the mobilized Belgian Army who served between 1 August 1914 and 11 November 1918. Approximately 300,000 to 350,000 veterans received this decoration.

Subsequent decrees extended eligibility to participants in the African campaigns against German colonial forces, as well as civilians who contributed to the war effort, including members of the merchant navy and fishermen.

The medal was worn after the Yser Medal or the Yser Cross in the official order of precedence. In civilian dress, a small ribbon rosette in the medal’s colors was worn in the buttonhole. For formal evening wear, a miniature version of the medal was suspended from a small ribbon or chain. On military uniforms, recipients wore the ribbon bar (baton).

A highly desirable addition for collectors of World War I decorations, Belgian military history, or Inter-Allied commemorative medals.

Original Order of Leopold II (Rank of Knight) (Order van Leopold II (Ridder)) + Oorkonde voor Sergent Henri Delvenne (authorised 15 november 1951 n. 279 for nomination on 21 july 1942).

The Order of Leopold II is a Belgian civil order of chivalry, originally established in 1900 by King Leopold II in the Congo Free State, then his personal possession. The order’s motto, “L’Union fait la force” / “Eendracht maakt macht” (“Unity makes strength”), reflects the Belgian national ideal.

Initially awarded for services rendered to Congo and to the sovereign, the order was incorporated into the Belgian honors system after Congo became a Belgian colony in 1908. Following Congo’s independence, the Order of Leopold II remained part of the Belgian national system of honors. Today, it is one of Belgium’s three national orders, alongside the Order of the Crown and the Order of Leopold.

The Order of Leopold II is awarded to civilians and military personnel for distinguished service to the King and as a mark of his personal esteem.

Version Offered: Knight (Ridder)

• Pre-1952 without “Eendracht maakt Macht”

• Includes Crossed Swords!

The Knight wears the insignia on a 37 mm wide ribbon on the left breast.

Distinctive characteristics of the Knight class:

• Cross in silvered metal (not gilded)

• Crown suspension in silver

• Blue ribbon with a central black stripe

• Worn as a breast decoration

A refined and historically significant decoration, ideal for collectors of Belgian orders and colonial-era honors.

Condition: Please, see the damage to the enamel in the middle!

Exceptional and rarely encountered original grouping belonging to a soldier of the Panzer-Lehr-Regiment (later associated with Panzerjäger-Abteilung 16, as indicated by the shoulder boards visible in one of the portraits).

This lot includes:

• 7 original period photographs (including uniform portraits)

• 2 original Feldpost letters

• 1 aluminum (Alu) remembrance/memorial card

Such complete personal groupings from Panzer-Lehr personnel are scarce on the market, making this a highly desirable set for advanced collectors of German WWII militaria.

Condition: All items are in original, untouched condition as shown in the photos.

Offered on consignment.

Original Volunteer Combatant’s Medal 1914–1918 (Medaille van de Vrijwillige Strijder). The Volunteer Combatant’s Medal 1914–1918 is a Belgian wartime service decoration established by Royal Decree on 17 June 1930. It was awarded to Belgian citizens and foreign nationals who voluntarily enlisted in the Belgian Armed Forces during the First World War.

This medal honors those who chose to serve of their own free will, often under extremely dangerous front-line conditions.

Award Criteria

The medal was granted to individuals who:

• Voluntarily enlisted and served in a combat unit in a danger zone for at least 6 months

Eligibility was later extended to include:

• Volunteers over 40 years old with at least 3 months of front-line service

• Volunteers over 50 years old with at least 1 month of front-line service

• Medical personnel with at least 2 years of service in non-occupied Belgium

• Young volunteers who fled occupied territory to enlist

• Wounded personnel

• Posthumous awards

Design & Characteristics

• Material: Bronze

• Shape: Circular medal (36 mm) with a distinctive crescent-shaped upper section, giving a total height of approx. 50 mm

Obverse:

• Foreground: head of a WWI Belgian soldier wearing a helmet, facing left

• Background: head of an 1830 Belgian revolutionary volunteer, symbolizing continuity of national struggle

• Upper crescent: Belgian crown above laurel branches

Reverse:

• Latin inscription along the edge:
  “VOLUNTARIIS PATRIA MEMOR”
  (“The homeland remembers its volunteers”)

• Center: the dates 1914–1918

Ribbon

• Color: Royal blue moiré silk

• Simple and elegant, emphasizing the honor of voluntary service

Condition: As seen in the images.

A historically rich and symbolic Belgian decoration, highly desirable for collectors of First World War and volunteer service medals.