Description

Title: The Great War Medal Collectors Companion – Volume 1

Author: Williamson, Howard

Condition: Mint

Edition: 1st Edition

Publication Date: 2011

ISBN: 780952754442

Cover: Hard Cover without Dust Jacket – 581 pages

Comments:  This new 600 page book by Howard Williamson,which has taken over eight years to research and write, is the definitive volume on Great War Campaign  and Gallantry Medals. Profusely illustrated in full colour, it contains much previously unpublished   information & original research. 

This book should pay for itself many times over by enabling the hidden stories and value of medals to be unlocked:-

Medal Index Cards 

Over 1,500 MIC abbreviations & codes deciphered. 

Definitive notes on the MICs & how to read them. 

The significance of different coloured inks revealed. 

Gallantry Medals 

DSO, MC, DCM & MM Gazettes, giving dates & battles covered by each gazette. 

Especially useful for MM research, linking the London Gazette date back to the bravery date.  

DCM, MC & DSO Gazette citations that omit dates & places (March 1916 – January 1919).

List of MC & DCM recipients for 1st July 1916. Also all DCM and Dated Bars noted.

A full list of Escapers awarded the MM; Army Order 193 of 1919 explained & 1914 MMs noted.

How to spot fakes e.g. MC, DSO, DFC, AFC etc as well as fake bars.

History of the DCM League & MM Association plus Ex-Servicemen’s Association details.

Definitive notes about the naming & renaming of medals – many examples illustrated.

How to read & research the MM Cards, including the breakthrough use of Schedule Numbers.

Detailed notes on the Somme Gazettes & the units engaged. List of VCs & where they were won.

Documents found with gallantry groups, including Divisional Cards, award notifications etc.

Chronological list of actions & battles fought in all theatres, plus indexed maps.

Campaign Medals 

Full history of each medal, including Army Orders, Army Council Instructions & award criteria.

How & when medals were named & distributed. Packaging & accompanying documents.

How to spot fake medals & correctly identify original ‘5th Aug-22nd Nov 1914’ Bars.

How to spot renaming. Font alphabets for 1914 & 1914/15 Trios, DCMs & MMs.

Miscellaneous WW1 Medals & Badges 

Including: Lusitania, Cunliffe-Owen, ANZAC, Jutland, Sydney-Emden, Gallipoli Star, Ceylon Volunteer,  TFEM & TEM,  Army LS&GC, The King’s Certificate, ‘On War Service’ Badges, Princess Mary’s Gift Tin  plus other Commemorative, Tribute & Sports Medals etc.

Collecting Medals 

Collecting themes, buying, cleaning & storing, dealer contact details etc. 

Illustrated guide to medal conditions.

Comprehensive & highly detailed Index

Limited edition of 3,500 Copies  each individually numbered & signed by the Author