DDR Friendship Star orders

[redjames2004]

Hi, I saw a eBay auction for a fake DDR Friendship in Gold or Bronze recently. Gordon Craig posted this eBay link for that particular DDR high-ranking order in another DDR forum on Gunboards. board. Anyway, I am wondering about any members of this forum owning any real DDR Friendship Star orders. I would like to see pictures of the geunine DDR order I mentioned in this thread. I once saw a real original DDR Friendship Star in silver with original Urkunde that was awarded to a East German woman for over $700 on Sigmund Stephan's table at MAX show in Pittsburgh few years ago. Its pretty steep for me. I saw that in Stephan's display case. Nice example I ever saw! Also I would like to know how much scarce are this DDR Order of Friendship Star. I dont see any geunine example for sale on both US and German eBay very often. Any comments on this particular thread? Thanks,James

[Mike G.]

Hi James,

This medal was authorized Aug 20, 1959 and subsequently produced in three levels. Two gold and one silver. A bronze variant or level was never produced.

1st Level: Gold. Great Star of People's Friendship. Issued with a ribbon so it could be worn around the neck.

2nd Level: Gold. Star of People's Friendship. Pin back version.

3rd Level: Silver. Star of People's Friendship. Pin back version.

Here is an example of the 3rd Level Pinback type.

[Mike G.]

Closeup Front:

[Mike G.]

Closeup Reverse:

[Mike G.]

James,

When looking to purchase one of these relatively costly medals, you want to first look for signs that it has not been "Sand Cast", and then look to detail. You want to insure the wheat stalk wreath is very well defined, and you want to insure there is detail in the wing and tail of the dove that appears at the top of the medal.

[redjames2004]

Hey Mike,Thanks alot for these scans of this DDR Star of People's Friendship order!!!! I am glad that you provided valuable information on this such costly DDR high-end order. Even the close-up of this order was even helpful! Do you own this cased silver Star of DDR People's Friendship? Do you get this such high-end DDR order directly from Germany? I know that Order of Karl Marx cost much as this Friendship Star order. I considered the Order of Karl Marx medal as East Germany's answer to USSR's Order of Lenin. Once again, thanks for helping me understand about this DDR Star of People's Friendship! I am planning to save money for buying high-end DDR medals and orders. James

[Mike G.]

Hi James,

Yes, this one is in my possession.

I acquired it a couple of years ago from a stateside dealer who used to go once a year on excursion trips to Germany where he would meet personally with German Dealers and bring high end medals back. He now limits his offerings to the less expensive type medals and badges, due to the fact there was little demand for the more costly medals in the U.S. and he was having difficulty moving his product.

[Gordon Craig]

Mike,


Thanks for posting pics of your Friendship Star on the Forum. Nice to see it again.

redjames2004,

I was offered a silver Friendship star late last year for 400 Euros but decided to pass because I want one with some documentation. That should give you an idea of the price you are looking at. This order was not on ebay but from a dealer who had sold me a Karl Marx order shortly before.

Cheers,

Gordon

[John F.]

Found this listed on eBay, in case anyone is interested http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...512384415&rd=1

Best,
John

[paul heath]

Members,

Can anyone post a pic of this award beign worn? Also, where was the proper placement of the award on a tunic. I know it has a ribbon, but where was the actual award worn? Was this award for non NVA/DDR?

This is one of those high end awards I know very little about .

Thanks,

Paul Heath

[John F.]

Paul:

When the actual award was worn, it would have been on the left side of the tunic above the medal bar. Hope this helps.

John

[Mike G.]

Hi Paul,

As John already pointed out, all three levels of this award, when presented to an NVA recepient, were worn above the left breast pocket. When presented to a civilian, the Great Star could be worn with a ribbon, which was draped as a sash from the left hip to the right shoulder. This award/decoration was presented to both civilians and military who destinguished themselves in some great way relevant to a project/accomplishment promoting "Peace". Each level could only be presented one time. To be eligible to receive the award, the individual had to be part of an organization, which also had destinguished itself in some way by promoting "Peace".

[Gordon Craig]

John F,


That is the auction that I posted on the DDR Forum as one to stay away from. There are a number of things wrong with it;

1-The pins far too long. You'll never find an authentic one like that.

2-The barrel latch is the wrong shape.

3-Compare the detail on the front of the star with the one Mike has posted and you will see the lack of detail readily.

Cheers,

Gordon

[John F.]

Originally Posted by gordon.criag

That is the auction that I posted on the DDR Forum as one to stay away from. There are a number of things wrong with it...
Cheers,

Gordon

Gordon:

Thanks, but I was just pointing it out.

[esquiroz]

Hello again,


well, I am the one that got this star at ebay(and have already paid and got the piece-I can't post pictures-sorry). How can you be sure that it is a fake?Were there only one maker? Is it not possible that it could be a later example?
I have asked the seller and I am still waiting for his answer?

I would aprecciate yor explanation about this star?

Regards
Carlos

Originally Posted by John F.

Gordon:

Thanks, but I was just pointing it out.