Romania, Kingdom; Japan, Imperial. An Extensive Group to Romanian Diplomat George Stoicescue, Stationed in Japan, 1930s

A large group consisting of multiple decorations and documents of George Stoicescue, Romanian Diplomat who was stationed in Japan in the early 1930s: 

A Japanese Order of the Sacred Treasure, Grand Cross Set, the neck badge, in silver and enamels, measures 64.3 mm (w) x 70.5 mm (h), enamels intact, worn on a full length sash, in extremely fine condition. The Star of the Order, in silvergilt and enamels, measures 75.80 mm (w) x 76.12 mm (h), weighs 95.14 grams, marked M for the Osaka Mint under the catch, enamels are intact but show several hairline cracks on the 5 and 6 o’clock arms with a notable chip on the 6 o’clock arm, some gilt wear, extremely fine.

A Romanian Order of the Crown, Commander, Type I, in silver gilt and enamels, measures 61.2 mm (w) x 62.5 mm (h), marked JRF on the loop denoting Joseph Resch Fii manufacture and ARG (silver) composition, worn on full length ribbon, enamels intact, notable gilt wear, very fine. Contained in original case of issue, blue leatherette exterior, interior marked Joseph Resch Fii Bucarest, missing hinge and no clasp, fine condition. 

A Romanian Order of the Crown, Commander, Type I, in silver gilt and enamels, measures 62.2 mm (w) x 63 mm (h), marked JRF on the loop denoting Joseph Resch Fii manufacture and ARG (silver) composition, missing reverse medallion, enamel damage to obverse and reverse, fine condition. 

An Order of the Romanian Crown, Officer’s Cross, in silver and enamels, measures 41 mm (w) x 42.2 mm (h), worn on original ribbon with large rosette, enamel damage to obverse medallion, very fine. 

An Order of the Star of Romania, Officer’s Cross, Type I, in silver gilt and enamels, measures 42.4 mm (w) x 62.8 mm, notable enamel damage to all arms, remains near very fine. Contained in the original case of issue, burgundy exterior, silk interior marked G. Lemaitre, functional hinge and clasp, very fine. 

An Order of the Star of Romania, Commander, Type II, in silver gilt and enamels, measures 50.9 mm (w) x 75.2 mm (h), marked HW on the ring denoting Heinrich Weiss, enamel damage to the obverse 9 o’clock arm and reverse 3 o’clock arm, very fine. Contained in original case, interior marked Heinrich Weiss, functional hinge and clasp, very fine. 

A Miniature Order of the Star of Romania, in silver gilt and enamels, broken at integral suspension severing the cross from the crown, near fine condition. Contained in a small Japanese style wooden case, very fine.
A Romanian Carol I Ruby Jubilee 40th Anniversary Medal, in bronze, measures 31.5 mm (w) x 42.7 mm (h), original ribbon, light toning, very fine. 

A Yugoslavian Order of the Crown, Commander, in silver gilt and enamels, measures 55.1 mm (w) x 77.0 mm (h), worn on full length ribbon, enamels intact, extremely fine. Contained in original case of issue, blue exterior marked JUGOSLOVENSKA KRUNA III, interior marked Huguenin Freres & Co, functional hinge and clasp, very fine. 

A Czechoslovakian Revolutionary Cross, bronze gilt, measures 42.8 mm (w) x 62.4 mm (h - inclusive of suspension), original ribbon, very fine. Contained in original case, missing the release button but catch is still functional, near very fine. 

A French III Republic Legion of Honour, Commander, in silver gilt and enamels, measures 55 mm (w) x 81.5 mm (h - inclusive of suspension), areas of enamel damage specifically to reverse inscription ring, marked with boars head denoting silver fineness and French manufacture post 1838, with maker mark of Bertrand, worn on a small segment of neck ribbon, remains near very fine. Contained in original case of issue marked R.F. on the lid and ARTHUS BERTRAND on the interior, functional hinge, minor catch to the clasp, scuffing to exterior, near very fine. 

A French III Republic Legion of Honour, Officer’s Cross, in silver gilt and enamels, measures 40.6 mm (w) x 58.6 mm (h), worn on original ribbon with rosette, enamels intact, marked with a boars head denoting silver composition and French manufacture post 1838, extremely fine. Contained in original case of issue, marked RF on the exterior, interior marked Arthus Bertrand, functional hinge but clasp does not catch, very fine. 

A French III Republic Legion of Honour, Knight, in silver and enamels, measures 41.3 mm (w) x 60.3 mm (h), marked with a boars head denoting silver composition and French manufacture post 1838, worn on different ribbon with rod style hanger, notable enamel damage to both sides. Contained in a small Japanese style decorative red felt box with beading on the lid, very fine. 

A Japanese Red Cross Order of Merit, II Class, in silver and enamels, measures 46.2 mm (w) x 50.5 mm (h), enamels intact, in extremely fine condition. Accompanied by the boutonniere. Contained in original black lacquer case with rich purple interior, functional clasp, extremely fine. 

A Bulgarian Order of Civil Merit, III Class with princely crown, in silver gilt and enamels, measures 63.5 mm (w) x 96.7 mm (h), enamel damage to the 6 o’clock arm, worn on a small segment of ribbon, near extremely fine. Contained in original case of issue, interior marked Joh. Schwerotner Wien, functional hinge and clasp, light wear to exterior, near extremely fine. 

A Franco-Japanese Intellectual Rapprochement Society and Kansai Institute, Kyoto, 1936, in bronze, a large table made, maker marked on the rim, measures 64 mm (d), weighs 120.2 grams, extremely fine. Contained in original case of issue, red exterior with Kanji on the lid, interior marked The Shobido Jewelry Co., functional hinge and clasp, scuffing to exterior, very fine. 

A Reconstruction of Tokyo Table Medal,1923 Great Kanto Earthquake, in bronze, measures 60 mm (d), weighs 143 grams, in extremely fine condition. Contained in original wood case, very fine. 

A 7th World Federation of Education Associations Conference Badge, in bronze gilt and enamels, with long ribbon tail, measures 38.6 mm (w) x 37.5mm (h), horizontal pin on the reverse, contained in a Japanese style wooden case, extremely fine. 

Accompanied by numerous documents, correspondence, and newspaper clips in English, French, and Japanese relating to George Stoicescue, Romanian Diplomat in Japan. 

Footnote: George G. Stoicescu was a Romanian diplomat active in the interwar period, particularly known for his long service in Tokyo, Japan during the late 1920s and throughout much of the 1930s. As chargé d’affaires and later as envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary at the Romanian Legation in Tokyo, Stoicescu played a key role in shaping Romania’s diplomatic engagement with Japan at a time when both countries were navigating complex international tensions and seeking broader global connections.

In his capacity as Romania’s senior diplomatic representative in Tokyo, Stoicescu authored numerous confidential reports to the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs that reflected both political and cultural concerns. In late 1929 he wrote about the planned European tour of Japan’s Prince Takamatsu and considered whether Romania should invite the prince to visit Bucharest, illustrating how Romanian diplomats sought to foster goodwill and visibility in international circles. He also discussed strategic issues such as Japan’s stance on the Bessarabia question and the potential for a friendship treaty between Japan and Romania, demonstrating how his dispatches addressed topics of geopolitical significance.

Beyond formal political reporting, Stoicescu engaged with the Romanian community in East Asia, corresponding about cultural initiatives such as the establishment of a Romanian cultural circle in Shanghai in 1930, which highlights the broader cultural and communal dimensions of his diplomatic work. He remained in Tokyo for many years, and in 1936 was elevated to the rank of minister plenipotentiary, continuing in this senior post until at least 1938. His tenure coincided with a period when Romania was asserting its diplomatic presence across the globe, and his writings provide insight into how smaller European states navigated relations with rising powers in Asia during a turbulent decade.