Watch List notes:

CHINA. Orders & Decorations of a Single Recipient Circa 1920-24.
8 pieces in lot. An important grouping of awards presented to Swedish Diplomat and Postal Commissioner Erik Nordstrom (1884-?). Nordstrom was present in China during the tumultuous years of 1910 to 1926 and participated in a number of significant events to earn this impressive range of medals. The honors were not only for his postal accomplishments, but in remembrance of his other services to China and surrounding nations.

The main item in this lot is a six medal bar, including (from left to right) the following awards and decorations:

A 36 mm enameled brass 1920-21 North Manchurian Plague Prevention Service medal, which was issued in Harbin, where he was Deputy Commissioner at the time this RARE medal was issued. The obverse displays a depiction of the plague bacteria, with the outer border being divided into four segments by a red enameled cross. The ancient Chinese symbol for "Commander" appears in each segment. The reverse includes an inscription noting the years of the plague epidemic on a vertical red enamel band at the center, with the same information in western style numerals at the bottom. The name of the medal is in an arc at the top, and the maker's name is inscribed on the bale. The crude enamels are essentially complete, but imperfectly applied, allowing for subsurface oxidation and an uneven appearance. The red, yellow, blue, white, and black ribbon is original and sound.

A 28 x 41 mm silver Swedish Universal Postal Union 50th Anniversary Medal, issued in 1924. The obverse shows Swedish king Gustaf V, and the reverse the posthorn symbol of the UPU. A silver crown hanger connects the medal to a yellow watered silk ribbon.

A (1924) Chinese Communications Medal. Barac-175. In silver with multicolored enamels. The 32-rayed plaque is enameled with red primary rays an blue secondary rays which surround a central medallion displaying a Chinese flag and a compass, both superimposed on a globe. The reverse displays a similar set of rays, but the central medallion is red and bears a two line inscription. The enamels are bright and near perfect, with only a tiny chip missing at the end of the top ray on the reverse. A blue enameled hanger and ring attach the medal to its blue-bordered white ribbon.

A Chinese Order of the Golden Grain, Third Class. Barac-353; Li-81; Vernon-33; Werlich-252. 56 x 72mm. With rosette. Gilt with multicolored enamels. Eight sets of three white enamel rays, each set divided by shorter golden rays, surround a central round medallion with 5 upright stalks of grain, which are surrounded by a circular turquoise band enclosing dots of the Chinese National Colors. The reverse is similar, but the central medallion is red and bears a two line inscription.

Laos. Order of the Million Elephants and the White Parasol Commander's Neck Badge. Werlich-828. 40 x 66mm. Gilt silver and enamels. White elephants heads facing front, to the right and to the left above a seven-headed green enamel snake. White and gold banded parasol above, the whole surmounted by a red band bearing the name of the Order. This version of the medal bears high-relief devices with a concave or hollowed out reverse, which caused excessive wear to the enamels on the highest parts of the decorations. This one bears typical enamel loss to the heads of the elephants, some of which has been imperfectly repaired. The high central part of the snake is also missing some of its green enamel, and parts of some of the white bands of the parasol are lost. The red band at the top appears mottled, but is complete. No problems with the red and yellow ribbon.

Finally, a Chinese Postal Service Decoration, First Class. Barac-325.63 mm. Gilt silver and enamels. The main device is an attractive view of a Postal Service airplane circling a remote mailbox. This is mounted on a red-outlined white star with flowers in the vertexes. The whole is mounted on a faceted gilt 5-point star with white enamel rays. The reverse has a one-line inscription and serial number "2". A blue ribbon and loop attaches the medal to the bar.

The 148 mm brass and white metal pinback bar that displays the medals has no visible maker's name.

Related to these, but not on the bar are an 11 x 20 mm miniature of the Order of the Million Elephants and the White Parasol Badge, and a blue and white rosette. Also includes a full size Chinese Cao-Kun Inauguration Decoration, 53 x 46 mm, Barac-148. Gilt silver and enamels. A central disc presents a forward-facing portrait of the general, with a line of inscription in a red band around. This is placed on a blue-bordered, 5-pointed, ball-tipped white star with pink flowers between the rays. The reverse with a similar star, but the flowers are in blue, and the central medallion bears Chinese flags, two stalks of grain, and a vertical line of inscription.

VERY FINE-ALMOST UNCIRCULATED.

From the estate of Erik Nordstrom who was associated with the Chinese postal service from 1911 through 1926 and delegate to the Universal Postal Union assembly in 1924.

Estimate: $3000.00- $4000.00