A Netherlands jeweler's price sheet as wrapping paper

[eschena]

Hi all:

Thought I'd show one of the neatest examples of "wrapping paper" for a medal. A couple of years ago, I got an example of the Netherlands Cross for Important Military Operations (better known as the “Expedition” Cross) with bar for „Zuid-Celebes 1905-1908” in its original cardboard box from J.M.J. van Wielik of The Hague. What I did not know until I got the package was that the decoration was wrapped in a price sheet. It's interesting to note the different sizes of the various orders, like the Military Order of William, Order of the Netherlands Lion and House Order of Orange Nassau.

Enjoy!

[eschena]

Here's the cross with the box...

The back of the Expedition Cross is blank...

[Rick Research]

This brings back memories! I had half a dozen of these, several with three and four bars, back in the early and mid 1970s. I was fascinated by the exotic place names, the variety, and the stories behind some truly obscure colonial campaigning...


all long gone.

Haven't seen one in the flesh since, and probably all of three in catalogs, pre-Internet.

[JBFloyd]

The late Gary Hartman wrote a monograph in 2002 for OMSA called "Lead William: The Dutch Expedition Cross and Associated Awards and Campaigns". This covers all the bars for the Expedition Cross and gives a good background on the Dutch colonial campaigns. It's available through the OMSA web site (www.OMSA.org).

[Tim Tezer]

The price list is interesting, but I am curious when it was printed. Is van Wielik still in business? Do they have a similar price list today?

Tim Tezer

[eschena]

I've seen a couple of Expedition Crosses ove rthe past couple of years but with the exception of mine, none had a campaign bar.

As for the price list, I think this was printed around 1910 or so. However, van Wielik is still in business and they even have a website: http://www.vanwielik.com/

[Sparky]

I've seen a couple of Expedition Crosses ove rthe past couple of years but with the exception of mine, none had a campaign bar.

As for the price list, I think this was printed around 1910 or so. However, van Wielik is still in business and they even have a website: http://www.vanwielik.com/

Interesting! I am looking for a Militarie Willems Order (knight 4th class). Can anyone help on this request?