Patriotic War II,0448406,Scout,215th Rifle Regiment,179th Rifle Division,Wounds 1945

[CtahhR]

Unfortunately this did fall into the wrong hands some time in the past as even the screwplate got abused.

I'll frame this up with a VOG (in line with the record card) and a translated citation mimicking the original one rainy day and then photograph it.

[CtahhR]

Here it is framed up. Good job I bought Debenham's out when I had the chance - Lots more framing to do.

[Bill Garvy]

Very tasteful presentation; I especially like the template used for the translation of his citation.

[CtahhR]

It's nice to know someone enjoys the efforts.

I used the translated citation template for the pair of awards to Frolov - 76mm Gunner Frolov to make everything uniform.

Unfortunately these frames aren't suitable for awards or groups with documents so I have been restricting their use to single awards or smaller groups of awards that have lost the original documents with reasonable length citations. I have some small groups that would fit into the frames perfectly but documentation or extra long citations have stopped that.

I have two more frames planned Machinegunner Burlaka and Company Starshina Janov.

This way of presentation ensures that the award, recipient and deed are constantly linked. I've seen far too many people destroy original documents, split groups, delete research, make up groups for the visual effect, etc which just destroys the historical importance of these pieces and the people who did these historic deeds.

These folding "book" type frames are really easy to transport and store too so I have certainly used this to the advantage of propagating the historic significance of the items in many places. Not quite pocket size but very rarely is there a pocket size citation.

I have a regime of research ongoing so I'll just have to see how that goes as to what else is selected to frame (not bias towards the recipient's position or deeds but how complete a group is - complete groups take priority).

I am still trying to work out a way to store groups in a space efficient fashion that also allows for them to be easy viewed without being disturbed. Some sort of rotating drawer system I think.

I've also found posting photographs of awards, documents, citations and other supporting images on this forum a very good way of ensuring awards are displayed for all those who are interested. That is why it is so important to include images of record cards, citations, awards etc. - keeping the history alive and united.

[Bill Garvy]

I can certainly conceptualize production of the template but am stymied how the facsimile of the signature is affixed; well done. . .

[CtahhR]

That is probably the most difficult part (other than getting all the text to fit in the spaces).

What I do is copy the original recommending officer's autograph from the original citation. Greyscale it and then play with the contrast until it has a white background. The black/white signature is then pasted onto the filled in template as "transparent" so the white almost completely vanishes. Any left over lighter grey areas around the black signature go when the ink settles/soaks during/after printing.

I do this little touch just to give the document at least once piece of true originality - the submitting signature.

I did consider filling in all the had written citations in my own hand but that was just a bit too far for me and I probably wouldn't be able to get as much text in the spaces given.

I think it gives it a far warmer feel than those black and white excel type forms that were a common sight before "the site" opened up for us all.

One day I will probably print out A4 copies of both the original citations and translations (of all the awards in the collection) on quality paper and bind them into a book. For now I just have a giant folder of subfolders of digital images of citations and scanned in documents. One folder per recipient with as many images as I can find al in one place. It is certainly a lot easy than rummaging through boxes and boxes. It will however take me years to translate everything if I were to print out translations of all the citations. I'm taking it bit by bit and even that is overwhelming sometimes.

[Auke]

Photoshop's Magic Wand Tool is also very useful for cutting out certain parts of a picture (such as a signature). If the contrast with the background is high enough, all you have to do is choose a modest Tolerance, et voila...

[CtahhR]

Now I have a photograph of the recipient to add to the display.