Ken's Korean or Chinese case

[mott5ranch]

I'm thinking these are North Korean. I'll let Ken explain what is what. These are some rare items especially if they are North Korean. Impressive, huh?

[mott5ranch]

The custodians are giving those "get the hell out of here," looks. I guess they too want to go home. I'll let these two pictures from Ken's impressive collection ride for tonight. It's quite a thrill for me to get these photos first and then post them here. There are MANY more things to show, but like a nice wine or a wonderful woman, these medals should also be enjoyed and not rushed through. Damn it, they are turning out the lights. Stay tuned for our next episode of Ken's collection! Later dudes!

[Ken Jasper]

Gary,

For some reason I can't get the image, but what I sent you was a photo of all North Koraen Orders and medals with the excption of the small Chinese/North Korean Friendship medal towards the bottom of the case.
Thanks for posting the photo.
Ken

[Rick Research]

How long did it take you to acquire all those, Ken? All I've picked up North Korean is the 1945 Liberation Medal. Igor has had the same No Korean Orders for years, and I've never "bitten" because a) I never met anyone weird enough to collect them too and b) how can you judge "market value" without multiple sales to reach any "retail" price?

Same thing has kept me out of Mongolian awards (other than a 1950s Polar Star and a 1950s Military recipient Orders Booklet with photo)-- beautiful, well made pieces (well, the early No Korean stuff was, too)-- but so little "action" to justify the HIGH prices!

Got any Red Chinese awards? I'll bring mine up out of the ancient back pages here.

[Ken Jasper]

Rick,

I started gathering the NK awards about 10 years ago. I must admit that my past employment enabled me to get quite a few. Many also came from Igor. I really don't know what price to put on them. I paid what the seller was asking. I will probably never sell them since I don't know what to ask. I wanted them since they are from the last Stalinist State in the world.

I did, at one time have a large Chinese collection, but I sold them off about three/four years ago when I decided I couldn't collect everything. The same held for my East German collection, my Romanian collection (with the exception of two pieces), my Hungarian collection, my Polish collection, most of my Czech collection and my one and only Albanian piece.

When I get the energy I will identify all the pieces. Most of the orders are numbered.

[Ken Jasper]

North Korean Orders - First Row:

Order of the National Flag, 1st class
Order of the Natilnal Flag, 2nd class
Order of the National Flag, 3rd class
Order of Freedom and Independence, 2nd class
1st, 2nd, and 3rd classes of military order, the name of which escapes me, but I have recorded somewhere inmy files.

[Ken Jasper]

North Korean Orders - Second Row

Name escapes me, will resaerch
Order of Labor, 2nd version
Order of Commemoration of the Korean Peoples Army Foundation
Order of Commemoration of the DPRK Foundation 20th Annivesary
Order of the Red Banner of the Three Great Revolutions
Order of Soldier's Honor, 1st class
Order of Soldier's Honor, 2nd class (early screw back version made in the Soviet Union)

[Ken Jasper]

North Korean Orders/Medals - third row

Name excapes me - will research
Order for Capital Construction
Medal for Capital Construction
Korean Liberation Commemoration Medal
Military Merit Medal, 1st version
Military Merit Medal, 2nd version
Meritorious Service Medal, 1st version
Fatherland Liberation War Commemoration Medal
Fatherland Liberation Was Participation Medal

[Ken Jasper]

North Korean Medals - fourth row

Mine Service, 1st class
Mine Service, 2nd class
Mine Service, 3rd class
two military medals, names escape me
military medal, name escapes me
Agriculture Meritorious Service Medal
DPRK Foundation Annivesary Medal
Korean Libeation 40th Anniversary Medal
Fatherland Liberation Commemorative Medal
Small Korean/Chinese Friendship pin (with dove on blue background)

[Ken Jasper]

The last three items in row one are the Order of Military Service Honor 1st, 2nd, and 3rd classes.

[Ken Jasper]

The three medals in the last row following the three Coal Mine Service medals are:

War Industry Service Honor 2nd class
War Industry Service Honor 3rd class
Medal of Military Service Honor

[Ken Jasper]

First item in row three:

Order of the Korean Army 60th Anniversary Commemoration