Bonjour, bon midi, bonsoir à tout le wherevere vous pouvez être


Jacques Lebaudy, also known as Jacques I, was the wealthy son of French sugar magnate, Jules Lebaudy. During the period 1902-3, he attempted to set up the Sahara Empire with its capital at Troja, located on the west coast of Africa near the mouth of the Draa River, the longest river in southern Morocco, just north of present day town of Tan-Tan.

He outfitted his ship with cannon in the Canary Islands and recruited an army of eight men.



He purchased a throne, created the Order of the Empire of the Sahara and started a newspaper, The Sahara.









L'ORDRE DU CHEVALIER et DU COMMANDANT du SAHARA la différence de couleur de ruban reflète l'usage et l'âge


He married a French actress, Augustine Dellière, with whom he had a daughter. He converted himself to Islam. After protesting his exclusion from the Conference of Algeciras, Spain from January 6 to April 7, 1906, he emigrated to Long Island, New York with his wife and their daughter.



In 1915, bedecked with medals, he attempted to surrender to the U.S. Government in Nassau, New York following a standoff with the local police. As a result of this incident he was sent to an asylum in Amityville, Long Island for a brief period of observation. He referred to it as his exile. He became increasingly mad, and one day decided that his eighteen year old daughter, Jacqueline, should bear him a son (a prince and heir to his empire). When he informed his then estranged wife of his plans, she shot him five times, killing him instantly on January 12, 1919. Although discovered disconsolate, the local sheriff concluded that she was something more than just an adequate marksman. All five shots hit their mark.

Au revoir et jour plaisant à tous



Dragonmaster

Hello Dragonmaster

This is a superb display of a very seldom seen "decoration". It is quite currently mentioned here and there, but this is the very first time I see a "commander's" badge. Thank you.

I was most impressed with your personnal site. It will be a pleasure to discuss some of the material you show there, as well as the fine pieces you are offering here.
Congratulations

All the best
Vétéran

Hello Dragonmaster
These two crosses result from the dispersal of ANS collection bequeathed in the years and sold at Morton in April, 2007.
Have you bought them ?
First ribbon is Annam Dragoon one.
Have you manufacturers' names with hallmark ?
The story is extracted from the monograph of Gillingham appeared in 1935 " EPHEMERAL DECORATIONS ".
But I think nothing proves that the illustrated badges are the Order of Sahara created by Lebaudy.
Found you a diplome or of the documentation of the period who shall establish it?
Regards
Cuss

My Dear CUSSONNEAU:

You raise some good questions. The image came to me hrough the auction house of Morton & den in conjunction with my writing for Burke's World Orders of Knighthood & Merit. Of course being a fantasy of the deranged Emperor/M. Labaudy, they were not included in the work. They have remained a curiosity though. No documents were offered in conjunction with the two pieces and it remain a possibility the the "Emperor" may utilized ribbons existing at the time of their creation. This is at best a guess. I have posted them in the hopes of drawing out more information about them.

Incidentally, there is very ample coverage of his follies boith abroad and in America, including newspaper accounts of his standoff with police and his eventual murder at the hands of the "Countessa."



Sincerely, Dragonmaster

Hello,

These awards are from the kingdom of Araucania and Patagonia and entitled : the order of ‘’those decorated with the Constellation of the South’’ (Ordre des décorés de la Constellation du Sud).

The Royal Society of the Constellation of the South was founded by king Orelie the first, in september 8th 1875 to bring the civilisation to the natives from Patagonia and Araucania and to improve the emigration in the new kingdom.

His successor, Achille the first, (Achille Laviarde, 1882-1902), split up the society in two branches for Catholics and others, these last, oriental customers having been canvassed at this time, were awarded with these kind of decorations.
Miniature:



Truly Yours

Cuss

Hello
Another full size bagge from my collection.
In the middle in arabic "ACHILLE" for Achille I of Pagagonia.

Reagrds
cuss

My Dear CUSSONNEAU:

Thank you for bringing "light" to the subject. It begs two questions: (1) where is the "missing" Ordre du Sahara and (2) who overpaid Morton + Eden for he misidentified pieces?

Your depth of knowledge on these matters underscores the value of this Forum.

Ayez un week-end le plus plaisant.

Dragonmaster

Bonjour,

Here is the listing from the Morton + Eden auction catalog of 27 April 2007

Au revoir, Dragonmaster

Hello,
You bet !! ( in French : ''I want my nephew!!)
The honorable Morton & Eden Cie have simply copied Mr Gillingham's work.
Mr Gillingham was rather cuckoo to collect uniditentified items and more over to make a donation to a dishonorable society that sell it in auction a few decades latter!!!
About the sugar king of Sahara, I have never met any badge corresponding to his so called order.
To be continued...
Have an holly Sunday
Cuss

Hello ,

I just want to thank Cussonneau and Dragonmaster for this excellent subject concerning these very rare orders and awards... and for the story! There was a time when with money and a part of madness, it was possible to create -ephemeral- empires!
Great subject, to be completed as soon as possible with the missing Empire of Sahara insignias...

With regards, and have a pleasant week-end ,

hello the world,

just for your information, because j'm not interested

(that's false of course)

http://cgi.ebay.fr/rare-photo-dun-medaille-avec-26-medailles-superbe_W0QQitemZ120178654610QQihZ002QQcategoryZ34171QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem



a very intersting subject;

regard pat66

Hello Bison patagon and others.
my Steel Crown Royal Order badges from Orelie 1st:

Regards
cuss patagon

My two full size badges of Constellation of south arabic center

Regards
Cuss

Hello, here a photograph of Jacques 1st, completely eccentric character.
One sees a breast star on his costume, but impossible to distinguish clearly
Regards

Jérôme

Bonjour
A curious new found with crown.



On the ring silver hallmark 900.
Spanish issue ?
Sincerely
Cuss