Belgium, Kingdom; France, Third Republic. Three Awards

Belgium, Kingdom: Order of Leopold II, V Class Knight, Type II (1908-on) (Dutch: Orde van Leopold II, French: Ordre de Léopold II) (in silver with blue and black enamels, measuring 41 mm (w) x 65 mm (h) inclusive of its crown and laterally-pierced ball suspension, intact enamels, missing its cross on the crown, original ribbon); Cross of the National Federation of Combatants of Belgium 1914-1918 (Croix de la Fédération Nationale des Combattants Belgique 1914-1918) (two-piece construction, in bronze gilt with blue, red, black and green enamels, measuring 39 mm (w) x 57 mm (h), crazing and chipping evident on the white enamelled arms, rosette on its original ribbon); and France, Third Republic: Order of the Academic Palms, Knight, Type II (1850-1955) (Ordre des Palmes Académiques, Chevalier) (in silver with violet enamels, measuring 27.7 mm (w) x 40.2 mm (h) inclusive of its laterally-pierced ball suspension, scattered chipping evident in the enamels, original ribbon with dual prong pinback). Ranging from fine to near extremely fine.

Footnote: The Belgian Order of Leopold II is an order of Belgium and is named in honour of King Léopold II. The decoration was established on August 24, 1900 by Leopold II as king of the Congo Free State and was in 1908, upon Congo being handed over to Belgium, incorporated into the Belgian awards system. The order is awarded for meritorious service to the sovereign of Belgium, and as a token of his personal goodwill. It can be awarded to both Belgians and foreigners, and is seen as diplomatic gift of merit. The order has become a long service order for people in the civil service and is awarded alternatively with the Order of the Crown, as the Order of Leopold is awarded under rarer circumstances. The order currently stands third after the Order of Leopold (1st) and the Order of the Crown (2nd) in the Belgian honors hierarchy. The Order of Leopold II is awarded by royal decree, in five grades: Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer and Knight, along with three medals (Gold, Silver and Bronze). The National Federation of Combatants supports former combatants and organizes events and commemorations. The French Order of the Academic Palms was instituted on March 17, 1808 and awarded for services to universities, tuition and science.