Italy, Kingdom. The Awards & Documents To Lt. Scolli Bruno Di Enrico

A comprehensive group of awards and their documents conferred upon Second Lieutenant Scolli Bruno di Enrico (who was born on June 6, 1915 in Alessandria), who served for the Italian Army at the East African Campaign during the Second World War. The lot consists of:

1. A four-armed War Merit Cross in bronze, the obverse featuring a five-pointed star within a rayed background, referring to the coat of arms of the Italian Republic, the reverse with monogram RI (for Italian Republic) and inscription MERITO DI GUERRA (War Merit), measuring 39.25 mm (w) x 39.05 mm (h), suspended by original breast ribbon, with toned bronze, in good condition. Accompanied by the award certificate, ordered in December 14, 1942, but actually bestowed on November 30, 1949, granting the War Merit Cross to Lt. Scolli Bruno di Enrico by first time, presenting original signature and stamp of the Italian Army. This cross was conferred upon Italian military personnel for rendering at least a full year of service while in contact with enemy forces.

2. A Medal of Military Valour in bronze, the obverse engraved with the coat of arms of the Italian Republic, surrounded by inscription AL VALORE MILITARE (Military Valour), the reverse with recipient information displaying the name SCOLLI BRUNO and battle date A.O. 17/27 - III - 1941, measuring 33.46 mm in diameter, the obverse is stamped by maker’s mark “Z” (National Mint), suspended by original breast ribbon, with toned bronze, in good condition. Accompanied by the award certificate, decreed on October 16, 1952, and delivered on February 11, 1953, granting the Medal of Military Valour in Bronze Grade to Lt. Scolli Bruno di Enrico, with a note describing the issued combat (translated to: “assigned with his platoon to defend the garrison, he repelled the reiterated enemy attack with a severe body fight giving admirable proof of his passionate and high sense of duty”), dated A.O. 17/27 - III - 1941 in Cheren (Keren), presenting original signature and water stamp of the Italian Republic government. Together with a detailed description of the events of the battle of Keren (Cheren, in old Italian spelling), where the Italian army fought against British and French troops for more than a month; they ended up fighting body to body during the last days; the italian army surrendered. Together as well with Italian Gazette dated November 18, 1954, where is announced that Scolli Bruno di Enrico was assigned the area of Mogadishu, Somalia. This Medal was conferred upon military personnel and civilians, in both peace and wartime, for an act of bravery with serious personal risk.

3. An Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, Knight’s Cross, consisting of an enameled white four armed cross with ball finials in silver gilt, featuring detailed Italian eagles in each quadrant, centre exhibiting a superimposed five pointed star also in silver gilt, suspending by large gilded Mural Crown with enameled details, double-sided design, measuring 44.92 mm (w) x 60.05 mm (h - inclusive crown suspension), marked “800” denoting silver content on the ring, tarnished silver, on original Knight ribbon, very fine. Accompanied by the award certificate, dated July 2, 1961, granting the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, Knight grade, to Lt. Scolli Bruno di Enrico, presenting original signatures and water stamp of the Italian Republic government.

4. An Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, Officer’s Cross, consisting of an enameled white four armed cross with ball finials in silver gilt, featuring detailed Italian eagles in each quadrant, centre exhibiting a superimposed five pointed star, suspending by large gilded Mural Crown with enameled details, double-sided design, measuring 44.55 mm (w) x 60.20 mm (h - inclusive crown suspension), marked “800” for silver content on the ring, tarnished silver, on original Officer ribbon with rosette, very fine. Accompanied by the award certificate, dated June 2, 1970, granting the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, Officer grade, to Lt. Scolli Bruno di Enrico, presenting original signatures and water stamp of the Italian Republic government.

5. An Army Long Command Merit Medal in bronze, the obverse illustrating the right-facing bust of Victor Emmanuel III surrounded by the inscription "AL MERITO DI LUNGO COMANDO", the reverse illustrating an upward-pointing sword, surrounded by a full-wreath of laurel and oak leaves, with engraved recipient name SCULLI ENRICO, measuring 34.23 mm in diameter, integral suspension, toned bronze, very fine.

This group is completed by three Italian medals awarded to his father, who served in the Italian Army during the First World War, these medals consist of:

1. A Commemorative Medal for the 1911-1912 Italo-Turkish War, Silver Grade, by the Regio Zecca (Royal Mint), the obverse with portrait of King Vittorio Emanuele III facing right circumscribed VITTORIO EMANUELE III RE D ITALIA, signed L. GIORGI, the reverse inscribed GUERRA ITALO-TURCA 1911-1912 within a circular laurel wreath, maker's mark a crowned 'Z' for the Regio Zecca (Royal Mint) below, measuring 32.02 mm in diameter, on original ribbon, presenting toned silver and wear edges, fine.

2. A Medal for the Unification of Italy, 1848-1918, consisting of a circular bronze medal with integral bar, obverse featuring the portrait of King Vittorio Emanuele III facing left, circumscribed VITTORIO EMANUELE III RE D’ITALIA, maker’s mark ‘MARIO NELLI INC., signed C. RIVALTA MOD., the reverse inscribed UNITÀ D’ITALIA 1848-191’ and ‘marked CBC below, within a circular laurel wreath, measuring 31.67 mm in diameter, on original ribbon, presenting toned bronze and wear edges, fine.

3. A fine First War Italian Victory Medal, Bronze Grade, obverse engrave by maker's mark "G. Orsolini MOD" and "S JOHNSON MILANO", reverse marked by G. VILLA INV., measuring 36.28 mm in diameter, on original unique ribbon with stripes incorporating the flags of the five Allied Powers (Great Britain, France, Belgium, Italy and the United States), extremely fine.

A unique and extremely rare set in extremely good condition.