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Tag Archives: France

The Decorated Sir Elton John

The Decorated Sir Elton John

“… Holmes refused a knighthood for services which may perhaps some day be described.”

– The Adventure of the Three Garridebs – (3GAR)

Elton John receiving his Knighthood, 1998

During his long and illustrious career, Elton John has been honoured by Queen Elizabeth II on three separate occasions, in addition to being awarded the Legion of Honor from France. Firstlet’s discuss his first British honor, in the New Years Eve Honours 1996, John was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

The badge for the CBE is in the form of a cross patonce (having the arms growing broader and floriated toward the end), the obverse of which bears the left facing busts of King George V and Queen Mary; the reverse bears George V’s Royal and Imperial Cypher. Both are within a ring bearing the motto of the Order. The badges are enamelled with pale blue crosses and crimson ring, and is suspended from a ribbon that is rose-pink with pearl-grey edges, with the addition of a pearl-grey central stripe for the military division.

On Febrary 24, 1998, John became Sir Elton John when the Queen honoured him. At the top of this post is a picture of John, with his family, after the ceremony.

Unlike when Sir Arthur Conan Doyler received his knighthood in 1902, John was presented with a 2 3/8 by 1 3/8 inch medallion was created. The insignia is described as “Upon an oval medallion of vermilion, enclosed by a scroll a cross-hilted sword belted and sheathed, pommel upwards, between two spurs, rowels upwards, the whole set about with the sword belt, all gilt.”

Most recently, in the New Years Eve Honours 2020, it was announced that John was named as a Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH) for services to music and to charity. Due to the COID-19 pandemic, this has not yet had a ceremony scheduled.

The order is an oval medallion, surmounted by an imperial crown, and with a rectangular panel within, depicting on it an oak tree, a shield with the Royal Arms of the United Kingdom hanging from one branch, and, on the left, a mounted knight in armour. The insignia’s blue border bears in gold letters the motto IN ACTION FAITHFUL AND IN HONOUR CLEAR. Men wear the badge on a neck ribbon (red with golden border threads).

On June 21, 2019, French President Emmanuel Macron awarded John as a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour. Macron’s office declared John a “melodic genius” and one of the first gay artists to give a voice to the LGBT community.

British singer-songwriter Elton John addresses a crowd in the courtyard of the Elysee Palace in Paris, on June 21, 2019, as part of a ceremony in which he was awarded the French Legion of Honour from the French president.  ~ Photo by Lewis Joly / AFP / Getty Images

For more information about the various levels of the French Legion of Honour, we encourage you to read our earlier post on the honour.

Paris Mint Displays Leygue Collection (1/31/1979)

Paris Mint Displays Leygue Collection (1/31/1979)

“… during this exposition …” – The Valley of Fear (VALL) Sculpture and medals of French artist Louis Legue went on display at the Paris Mint in November, 1978, to remain through February, 1979, according to Pierre DeHaye, Director of the Mint. The exposition is under the patronage of the Minister of Economics in France. Leygue was born… Continue Reading

It’s A Pretty Little Thing – Peter E. Blau’s Souvenir for the 2001 BSI Dinner

It’s A Pretty Little Thing – Peter E. Blau’s Souvenir for the 2001 BSI Dinner

“It’s a pretty little thing …” – The Adventure of The Mazarin Stone (MAZA) Outer Cover of Peter E. Blau’s 2001 Seasonal Souvenir Inside Contents of Peter E. Blau’s 2001 Seasonal Souvenir A long-standing tradition at the annual January dinners of the Baker Street Irregulars is that many members and attendees issue a souvenir of some… Continue Reading

The 1978 Arthur Conan Doyle Medal by the Monnaie de Paris

The 1978 Arthur Conan Doyle Medal by the Monnaie de Paris

“… enthusiastic admiration of the French …” – The Adventure of The Naval Treaty (NAVA) In the Spring 1979 issue of The Sherlock Holmes Journal (Volume 4, Number 1, Whole Number 52), Editor Nicholas Utechin has this nugget in his Editorial Notes feature: New Objects Pride of place-just-goes to the newly available Sir Arthur Conan Doyle medal produced… Continue Reading

Postal Stamp Issued for the Bank of France’s Bicentennial in 2000

Postal Stamp Issued for the Bank of France’s Bicentennial in 2000

“We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources, and borrowed, for that purpose, thirty thousand Napoleons from the Bank of France.” – The Red-Headed League (REDH) In this month’s story of The Red-Headed League, the City & Suburban Bank had increased their reserves by borrowing 30,000 gold Napoleons from the Bank of France. In… Continue Reading

ICYMI – The Red-Headed League

ICYMI – The Red-Headed League

“I would not have missed it for worlds.” – The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor (NOBL) Our story for this month is The Red-Headed League and we have already published our monthly features on this story – From Watson’s Tin Box, highlighting items from their collection of evidence boxes; Brad Keefauver’s The 17 Steps; and Frank Mentzel’s Data! Data!… Continue Reading

Select Numismatic Tributes of Napoleon

Select Numismatic Tributes of Napoleon

“… relics of the French Emperor.” – The Adventure of the Six Napoleons (SIXN) It seems only appropriate that we discuss the numismatic items featuring Napoleon Bonaparte as we celebrate all things Six Napoleons this month. Napoleon Bonaparte was born in Corsica on August 15, 1769. An artillery officer in the French army at the outbreak… Continue Reading

The Westphalian Coinage of Jerome I

The Westphalian Coinage of Jerome I

“… the natural anxiety of a wife for her missing husband.” – The Sign of The Four (SIGN) Jérôme-Napoléon Bonaparte was the youngest brother of Napoleon Bonaparte, a military leader who would become the Emperor of France. In his late teens, Jerome visited the United States after serving in the French navy in the Carribean. While visiting… Continue Reading

Faces of Holmes: Roger Moore

Faces of Holmes: Roger Moore

“… possible actors in this drama …” – The Adventure of The Second Stain (SECO) Roger Moore, the British actor known mainly for his 12 years portraying James Bond and before that was television’s The Saint, portrayed Sherlock Holmes in the 1976 made for television movie Sherlock Holmes in New York. Moore has been decorated four times in the… Continue Reading

Faces of The Woman: Charlotte Rampling

Faces of The Woman: Charlotte Rampling

“… I have been trained as an actress myself.” – A Study in Scarlet (STUD) Charlotte Rampling got her start in acting during the 1960’s, being an extra in the Beatles movie A Hard Day’s Night. With a few other acting roles, she landed the role of Meredith in Georgy Girl. She would expand her repertoire with French and… Continue Reading