The Celebrations Included Two One-Day Exhibitions, One at The
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present orders, as it was when their statutes were confirmed. The celebrations included two one-day exhibitions, one at the Amalienborg Castle and one at the Rodenborg Castle, the latter being opened to the public and presenting a survey of the surviving robes and costumes of the two orders. Regrettably the exhibition could not be shown longer. On this occasion, this official history [From Crusader to Knight’s Cross] was published by the Chapter of the Royal Orders of Knighthood, presenting the history and development of the orders. The photos taken for the book are excellent. The Chapter of the Royal Danish Orders is to be congratulated on having accomplished the task. To survey 300 years in a pleasant and easily comprehensible way has not been an easy task for the authors, each of the nine being an expert in his or her own field. Each author’s article is followed by footnotes with further references. Nils G. Bartholdy, Archivist of the State Archives, presents the oldest history, from a soldality and fraternity in the 15th century to an order of knighthood in the 17th century. He describes also the earliest surviving badges of the Elephant, which in 1580 officially became the badge of the order and gives the pattern to the cross of the Dannebrog. He shows us the forerunners of the Danish orders and relates the tales of earlier authors in the 17th century. Dr. Knud J.V. Jespersen, Odense University, analyzes the use of the orders in Danish society in the 17th and 18th centuries as a means for the monarchy to tie military and civil servants to the crown and recognize services rendered to the State. We get an interesting presentation of the social ranks attached to knighthood and the people awarded the orders in the early days Professor Tage Kaarsted, Historiographer of the Danish Orders of Knighthood, deals with the changes in the Order of the Dannebrog in 1808, transforming it into an order of merit after the pattern of the French Legion d’Honneur. He presents the awards system of both orders in the 19th and 20th centuries to both Danes and foreigners. A matter of social interest is the regulation that Danish holders of the orders have to present their biographies to the Chapter, thus giving a vivid picture of Danish society and its honored members. Jorgen Hein, curator of the Royal Chronological Collections at the Rosenborg castle, presents the development of the badges of the Elephant and Dannebrog. The Order of the Elephant is well documented in photos, the present badge of the Elephant dating back to 1907, but the Order of the Dannebrog is regrettably less well documented. For collectors, and other historians, it would have been well to show various classes from the early 19th century to the present, if not in this section at least in connection with that of Eigil Jensen. Steffen Heiberg, curator of the National Historical Museum at Fredericksborg Castle, presents the Chapel of the castle, where the coats of arms of the knights, introduced in 1679, hang (many older ones being lost in a fire in 1859). The form of the shields was established in 1693 and is still followed. Today, the coats of arms of knights of the Elephant and Grand Cross holders of the Dannebrog are still painted. Since 1962, the arms of foreign Grand Cross holders are no longer painted. The only criticism to be pointed out is that in this article it would have been important to show a few examples of the actual shields with arms from the various centuries. Katia Johansen, curator at the Royal Chronological Collections at Rosenborg Castle, presents the magnificent robes and costumes of the orders. As a study in costume, especially of the two orders, it is well documented and as such is very interesting to all students. Goldsmith Eigil Jansen concentrates on the manufacture of the badges of the Elephant by the Royal Court jeweler, Anton Michelsen (today Royal Copenhagen). The Michelsen firm became the first regular supplier of decorations to the Chapter in 1848. Jensen goes through the history of the Elephant and Dannebrog badges describing the various manufacturing stages, such as how the monogram under the crown changes 38 with the monarch, so you can see under which reign the order was awarded. Without doubt, the Danish badges, so skillfully produced, are among the expensive awarded today. Although the history of the Danish orders has been presented earlier, recent years of research have brought out a lot of new information, included here for the first time. The book also reflects the development of orders and decorations in Europe in general. I’m inclined to say that this is the definitive history of Danish orders. It can be recommended to everyone interested in orders and decorations as a "must" in your bookshelf. And, I’m pleased to inform the readers of this review that an English edition is being prepared and is expected to be published in 1995, also by the Odense University Press. (Reviewed by Tom C. Bergroth, OMSA 2182) OMSA BOURSE RULES [The following rules have been adopted by the OMSA Board of Directors and will be followed in the conduct of the 1994 Convention.] The bourse of the annual convention of the Orders and Medals Society of America represents an opportunity for members of the Society and the general public to see and obtain the best possible selection of orders, medals, and decorations of the world. To reduce the potential for misunderstanding and misrepresentation, all non- original material offered for sale or trade should be properly identified, and to maintain the prestige of this event, it is important that the bourse contain only the highest standards of authenticity and quality. While self-policing is the best way to ensure these objectives are met, other actions may be required. To this end, OMSA policy governing the convention bourse is as follows: 1. The bourse is established for the sale/trade/display of original orders, medals, and decorations of the world and directly related material. a. Directly related items permitted in the bourse include: award documents; books on awards and insignia; uniforms and uniform parts; insignia; trophies/awards in non-traditional forms (e.g., German honor goblets or swords presented in recognition of service 39 .