Order "Red Banner Of Labour".

[Taz]

This award was instituted on 13th December 1950.

It was awarded for the successful fulfilling of the plans of social-economic development and achievements in the National, Social, Scientific, and cultural life of the country. Instead of free economic market, Bulgaria and the rest of the Socialist countries have had 5 years "Petiletka" economic plans for development and production. This order was given to labor heroes who finished their normative before the time limits set by the government bureaucrats. That way they were helping to build communism faster and reach the dreamed social system.

The first award of this Order was to General-lieutenant Blagoi Ivanov on April, 6th,1951. He was minister of construction NRB.
The award was made in the State monetary mint.

The award has an oval form and is 42х36 mm.
In the center of the award is a banner of red enamel with inscription "NRB". in White. Under the banner on a dark blue background is a hammer and sickle in red enamel.
On the edges of the award are wreaths from wheat ears, connected at the top by a red five-pointed star,and at the bottom they are binded together.
Inside the wreaths in the bottom half there is a round cogwheel of white enamel with the inscription "FOR SOCIALISTIC LABOUR".

Order of the Red Banner (Flag) of Labour, This is the second emission of the Order that has no number and screw on the reverse. It was in a case with the new coat of arms (after 1971).

[Ruiz]

Hi, one question please, this is my Order of Red Banner of Labour N· 53 , How many of this order were issued ?
Best Regards,

[Taz]

Hi Ruiz,

sorry no award figures for this medal right now maybe Dietrich has an idea if he looks by. Stretching the old memory but around 270 was the highest i've seen to date i think.

Regards Eddie

[Lapa]

Eddie,

The highest I have seen is 5523.

Marc

[Ruiz]

Hi, I was confused, there are 3 types.

1º-First emission with number and screw on the reverse.
2º-Second emission, no number but screw on the reverse.
3º-Third emission, no number and screw on the reverse.
Best regards.

[deValcourt]

This is the first time I've seen the inside of an award booklet for these awards and unfortunately, I get the strong impression it is a fake. The medal and the box it came in are likely real enough, but from the look of it, this may be one of the ones on a "mini" suspension/hanger.

Phillip

[Lapa]

Phillip,

All looks genuine to me.

Marc

[deValcourt]

Thanks Marc. I guess I was just thinking the handwriting was not much better than mine.;)

Phillip

[Esteban_cool]

There is something that incomodates me about the booklet. If issued in 1986, the booklet should be a different type. I have a bulgarian group from the mid 70´s with those booklets but the ones i have from the 80´s are less elaborated, with dark red leatherette cover and a more 'straight' letter fonts.

[CtahhR]

There are more variations out there than you think of the Bulgarian Order Of The Red Banner Of Labour. The very first variation had a six sided area in the rear for the purposes of housing the nut (I have #11) then the second variation had a round hollow in the rear to house the nut such as Ruiz's #53. Then there is the second variation without a number. Then there is a strange "transitional" variation from 1969 in which there is a tiny nipple on the back of the all but flat surface of the "flat back" variation which is also un-numbered. Then there is the flat back variation and finally there is the flat back variation with the small ribbon device which is from the late 1980's. Hopefully that helps to some extent... The original batch of Red Banner Of Labours were issued in Imperial Order Of Civil Merit cases with "Red Banner Of Labour" and the PRB logo pasted onto the front. The Highest numbered one I have in my collection currently is #6555.