Some of My Romanian Collection

[Greg Collins]

Good morning, Ralph! Guess you're buried, too (we've got 20" outside and still falling).

I have no idea of what regulations might have read (if there were any). I have seen Romanian uniforms literally stacked with these pins- and most put on in a very haphazard way. Also, while there were some individuals who did mount their medals, many did not. Add this to the fact that their mounting system began to change after 1966 (the advent of the "straight" medal vs the Soviet type). By the time you take all of this into consideration, you have a uniform, in many cases, that looks like awards were thrown on it. The only other country I can think of that had similar goings-on was Mongolia. I'll try to come up with some images that illustrate this.

[Ralph P]

Hey Greg - Right now we have around 11 inches of snow and it is still falling. I have already shoveled once this morning. I will be going back out in a few hours...oh what fun...

It will be great to see with what you come up with.

[Greg Collins]

Recently came by these badges- "For Merit in Medical/Sanitation Work". Both are pin-backed bronze. The RPR (pre 1965) is not numbered while the RSR (post 1965) is... this is the reverse of what I have come to expect with Romanian items. As I was shooting in low light due to our recent weather, there is some camera shake- I've tried to correct as best I can. First, the RPR version. Note the "strawberry" finish in the red areas.

[Greg Collins]

Now, the RSR version front. This version is a two-piece (snake and cup is a separate piece).

[Greg Collins]

The numbered back of the RSR version...

[Greg Collins]

The final submission for now is a cap badge for the Romanian Postal Service. Kinda tough to find. Note the familiar "strawberry" star... the hunting horn will be familiar to DDR collectors, as well.

[Greg Collins]

Ooops, almost forgot... an award badge to go with the cap badge above; "For Merit in Post and Telecommunications". Bronze with standard pin back.

[Roy Queen]

You have some great Romanian badges! Recently I saw a Romanian cap star with the red enamel, but with the letters MR or maybe MF. What would this cap badge represent?

[Greg Collins]

Thanks, Roy! I saw the same badge on our favorite auction site and I haven't a clue as to who or what it was for (it is "MF")- apparently, neither does Lucian (the seller) or he would have elaborated. Just looking at it, I would say it is from the RPR period (1947-1965); it kinda "feels" like some sort of augmentation unit badge... civil defense, maybe??? I'll try to research and get back to you.

[Greg Collins]

Here's a couple of intact Romanian flags from the Communist period that I thought I'd post. The first is from the RSR period and shows the final version of the State seal. A small flag, probably 1 1/2 to 2 feet horizontally, made of synthetic silk with fringe. As it is two-ply, the seal is correct reading on both sides. The construction of the flag indicates it was meant for indoor use.

[Greg Collins]

The final version of the State seal, silk screened and typically "out of register" for a mass-produced item.

[Greg Collins]

This next flag is the only RPR flag I've seen to date. Country of origin is in doubt as it was salvaged from the flag locker of an English merchant ship that was decommissioned and, as such, is fitted for naval use. The flag is quite large, about 3 feet by 4 1/2 feet, and made of a material no longer used- wool bunting. The seal was silk screened on a separate, oval shaped piece and sewn-in. It is "right-reading" on one side, with the back being a mirror image. Note that the star is screened over the sun rays... this star may have been added at a later date since the original seal did not have a star.

One of my cats, Pumpkin, wandered into the shot, facinated by the lanyard.

[Greg Collins]

The seal... near perfect registration of the silk screened image indicates this was probably a "one-off" piece and not mass produced. You can see the sun rays through the star better in this image.

[John F.]

Greg,

Great looking stuff! I've always been a fan of Communist Romanina militaria.

I love the RSR flag!

Here are couple of links to some of my items I posted years ago.

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...light=Romanian

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...light=Romanian

Best,
John

[Greg Collins]

John,

Gorgeous stuff!!! Can I assume you were able to "get in" before the prices escalated? As you have probably noticed, the main "thrust" of my collection is Interior Ministry

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...ght=securitate

... I have had to hold my orders to 3rd Class because 1st and 2nd are just out of my reach, even in Romania. Of course, and unlike Soviet and Mongolian items, there are still deals out there in Romanian items... I just look for pieces which no one else seems to be interested in- yet.