Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Japan, Order of the Rising Sun, 1st Class set of insignia, sash badge, 115 x 76mm., silver-gilt and enamel, with red cabochon centre, suspension ring slightly bent; breast star, 91mm., silver, silver-gilt and enamel, with red cabochon centre, reverse inscribed with four Japanese characters, with full sash, in hinged lacquer case of issue, extremely fine except where stated (2) £1400-1800

Attributed to Paul-Henri Spaak, 25 January 1899-31 July 1972, a Belgian socialist politician and statesman. Served as Belgian Prime Minister, 1938-39; 1946, and 1947-49. Was the first President of the United Nations General Assembly, 1946-57; first President of the Common Assembly of the European Coal and Steel Community, 1952-54; first President of the Consultative Assembly (later called the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe); and second Secretary-General of N.A.T.O., 1957-61. One of the founding fathers of the European Union; sold with some copied research.