exceptional auction in France - 1er BFMC cap badge

[NORMANDIE18]

An exceptional auction was held yesterday in France : a lot that belonged to the Commando Priez, a Free Frenchman who served in the 1st BFMC.
The masterpiece was the original British made cap badge. This cap badge was certainly gold plated after the war. The lot sold for around £17,600 !
When the auctioneer's hammer fell, something rare happened: the French state preempted the lot so that it joined the collections of the Musée de l'Armée in Paris...
The combined Operations badges in this lot are reproductions.
Normandie18
20410€ 2024 préhemption musée de l'armée.jpg20410€ 2024 préhemption musée de l'armée n.jpg20410€ 2024 préhemption musée de l'armée nn.jpg

[Mike B]

Thanks for posting ...

Very interesting to see the coating applied to this badge - When I first saw it on the auction site a couple of weeks ago, I thought the bronze coating had been removed - but it does look to have been coated.
I believe it hammered at a very healthy 16,250 Euros. I imagine the other badge was a souvenir, but would be interested to know for sure ...

All the best
Mike

[elwe23]

Originally Posted by Mike B

Thanks for posting ...

Very interesting to see the coating applied to this badge - When I first saw it on the auction site a couple of weeks ago, I thought the bronze coating had been removed - but it does look to have been coated.
I believe it hammered at a very healthy 16,250 Euros. I imagine the other badge was a souvenir, but would be interested to know for sure ...

All the best
Mike

Hi Mike, the other badge was a commando marine one, Drago Noisiel.

Best

[William]

Amazing items.

Astounding price.

Astonishing situation.

Best regards to all

William

[NORMANDIE18]

The FRANCE title is original, N°4 Commando title is a reproduction.
Normandie18

[Mike B]

Originally Posted by elwe23

Hi Mike, the other badge was a commando marine one, Drago Noisiel.

Best

Thanks Elwe23 ...

[half12]

Hello,

IMO... Crazy price for an altered badge that has been gilded ...

or artificial auction knowing the museum pre-emption project ...?

but that's just my opinion ...
Best regards .. Herve

[Mike B]

Originally Posted by half12

Hello,

IMO... Crazy price for an altered badge that has been gilded ...

or artificial auction knowing the museum pre-emption project ...?

but that's just my opinion ...
Best regards .. Herve

For what its worth - I totally agree - an utterly ruined badge paired with fakes and misleading items providing no real context - a travesty. I cant think of any WW2 Commando veteran I came across who would do that to his badge ... but one man's meat is another man's poison ...