STATUS OF WEARABLE YUGOSLAV AWARDS - 1935

The following is an English rendering of a portion of £ Yugoslav gov- ernment publication of 1935, dealing with emblems and badges of honor. The material was provided bL~ a ~hotocopy from Jeffrey R. Jacob 01~TA 1364 who obtained it from Ernest J. Fischer O~.~A 922, and is presented by Richard C. Harrison 0~7~A 2315.

The original booklet is Zone in two columns, in Serbo-croatian and Erench; trar~lated from the latter. This effort is presented as an inter- linear to the original. However the translation co:~tains a lot of definitive information and may have some value to collectors in its own right~ since it represents the official Yugoslav position at the time of publication.

On a line-by-line basis it is almost a literal translation; certain simplifications have been made to conform with the usage familiar to col- lectors. Inscriptions translated from the French are reproduced in the original language from the text wherever possible.

Interesting to note that many of the badges are carried over from Serbia, the ~2jor predecessor state; that the Order of Takovo has ~isap- peared from the scene, and that no mention is made of the status of the former Montenegrin awards.

The order of precedence may be considered official for the time arz~ place of publication.

(The first chapter, dealing with flags, coats of arms, and ~yal cyphers, has been omitted).

II. Badge& of Honor.

1. The Order of Saint Lazarus. The decoration of this order is composed of a cross and a collar from which the cross is suspended.

a) The Cross. The cross has the form of the old byzanto-serb cross: the b~anches are fozmed as wedges fixed in the center by a medallion. Between the branches of the cross are rays of silver. The surface of the cross is of red enamel edged in blue. It is covered with rubies and sapphires, in shades correspon- ding to the national colors. ~he branches at their wide ends bear each a ball set with a diamond. ~he medallion contains the figure of Prince Lazarus in the costume of sovereign and bearing insignia. The figure is surrounded by a laurel wreath in green enamel. The reverse of the cross. The branches of the cross are enamelled red edged in blue. ~e medallion, enamelled red, bears in relief the l~tters "Saint Lazarus" (Knez Lazar). It is bordered by a gold ring~ Rays of gold starting from the medallion extend nearly to the red enamel of the branches. The cross is fastened to the collar by a shield enamelled in the national colors ( red, blue, and white) which bears the dates "1389-1889". Below this are the insignia of the sovereign; the sword and scepter, above which is a byzs~o-serb ecclesiastic crown set with pearls and precious stones. b) ’fhe Collar. It is composed of fourteen lir~ks set apart by trophies. The links are in the form of enamelled shields. These bear, alternately, military emblems, knights armor in gold with a ruby at each side, and the Serbian White Eagle in silver on a red enamel base set with green get, stones. The trophies are formed of three parts of which the central represents a gol~en lily enameJ~ledwhite with a ruby in the center. The two sides of the collar are rejoined by an octagonal plaque enamelled red, blue, and white.

qhe Order of Saint Lazarus was instituted 8 April 1889 in honor of the Serbian Prince Lazar, who died for the Fatherland at Kossovo. The Order’of Saint Lazarus occupies supreme place in the general order of badges of honor and is of one class. It is the right of the sovereign and his prime heir.

2. The Order of the Star of Karageorge. The Order of the Star of Karageorge has four classes~ with swords or without swords, and a militry Order of the Star with swords, in gold or silver.

First Class: Grand Cross on a sash with plaque or star. Second Class: Same as the first, worn on a necklet with a smaller star. Third Class: Same as the preceding, worn on a necklet. Fourth Class~ Same as the precedi~ but s~aller and worn on a ribbon. The ~litary Star: In gold or silver, of the same dimen- sions as the Fourth Class. a) The Plaque (Star) of thw 1st and ~nd classes is of 8 branches in faceted silver. In the center of the 1st class is the cross borne by the Ist, 2nd, and 3rd classes: in the center of the star of the 2nd class is the cross borne by the 4th class: these crosses do not ~nave the crown a~ve.

b) The Cross. The cross is in gold, the arms of which are enamelled white on both sides. The center of the cross is occupied by a medallion, on the obverse presenting the an- cient arms (red shield with white cross and tinderboxes)on a blue field. On the reverse the medallion portrays the new arms (white double eagle with red shield) on a red field. The obverse ba~ the inscription "For I~w and Liberty 1804" (Za veru i slobodu 1804) and the reverse, "Peter I 1904" (Petar I 190&). Between the branches of the cross and the medallion are gold borders; the cross is surmounted by a crown. The Military Order is entirely of gold or of silver except that the gold badge has silver rays and the silver badge has gold rays. The medallion bears the inscription "For Courage" (Za hrabrost) and on the reverse "Petar I 1914-1918". The.Order of the Star of Karageorge with Swords bears two swords crossing in the center of the cross. The~ords of the Nilitary Order are gold for the gold cross and silver for the silver cross. The Ribbon. The ribbon is watered red with white edges. The ends of the sash form a bow to which is attached the badge. The Order of the Star of Karageorge was created to commem- orate the revolt conducted by Karageorge and the decoration is conferred ~o recognize merit toward the King or the Father- land, either civil or military, it occupies first rank and preeminence above all others.

The Eilitary Order was created in 1915 and is of two classes, the gold cross and the silver cross.

The Order of the White Double Eagle.

The Order of the ~hite Kqgle is in five classes. It may be with swords or without. ~he decoration with swords is conferred for military merit.

The decoration is the figure of a white two-headed eagle with wings spread and pendant, the feathers open. ~ihe eagle is of silver for the fifth class and gold for all others. It bears on its chest a shield enamelled red with a cross enamelled white bordered by gold beading. The two heads of ~he eagle each b~ar a royal crown; these are surmounted by a much lar- ger royal crown which is attached to the eagle by blue enam- elled ribbons.

The reverse of the decoration bears the date 18S2.

The 1st and 2nd classes have stars in geld ~:hombic shape in which the rays are faceted.

The ribbon is watered red with blue edges.

The Order of the [4hite ~gle was created by the Law of 23 January IS~3 in co~emoration of the restoration of the Kingdom, to reward merit toward the Crown, the court, and the Fatherland. It occupies the second place in the gene- ral ranking.

The Order of the Crown of Yugoslavia.

The Order of the Crown is in five classes:

First Class; Grsnd Cross, sash, an~ star. Second Class; Same decoration as the 1st, on a necklet, an~ a star of smaller dimensions. (Grand Officer) Third Class; Same decoration as the 2nd, on a necklet (Co~nma nd er). Fourth Class; Same decoration as the 3rd but smaller, worn on a ribbon (Officer). Fifth Class; Same decoration as the 4th, but in silver, worn on a cibbon (Enight).

1st, 2nd, and 3rd Classes: A cross in which the branches are tmlip-shaped, en~melled white edged in gold; at the tips of the arms are gold balls. In the center of the cross a medal- lion, enamelled white bordered by ~ gold ring. On one side the medallion presents a Royal crown in relief, in enamel and gold, and on the other, the gold monogram "A" of the King, surmount~ by a crown in relief and enclosed by the date "3-X-1929’~¯