France, Republic. An Order Of The Black Star, Grand Cross Set, By Bertrand Auction Archive As matches were a rare

As matches were a rare

It made several successful minelaying sortie off the English coast

6 mm x 109 mm inclusive of its crown and dragon suspension

OLAF LARSEN

though it is known makers were BRACA KNAUS and ME-BA

France, Republic. An Order Of The Black Star, Grand Cross Set, By Bertrand Auction Archive As matches were a rare(Ordre de l'toile Noire). Instituted on 1 December 1889 at Porto Novo by Toffa, future king of Dahomey (today the Republic of Benin). In silver gilt, a Maltese cross featuring white enamels with blue borders, clusters of three gilt rays in each quadrant, obverse centre presenting a black enamelled star, a mirrored reverse with a large green enamelled laurel suspension, marked on suspension with boars head denoting French manufacture and small silver