James Charles Risk 1913-2005 “A friend of the Queen”

[manayunkman]

1 hour ago, jmpmstr said:

Just for kicks, this is the encyclopedia set my parents had that housed the decorations section I used to read almost daily. The pictures he provided were magical to me as a kid. The orders section on B

ritish orders always captured my attention. Garter et al were just the cat's meow. Thank you for indulging me here

I was just talking about this set earlier today.

 

Thanks for posting it.

[Monte3]

The Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition (1910 - 1911) is in the public domain.

 

https://archive.org/details/encyclopaediabri15chisrich/page/850/mode/2up

 

Here are the plates that influenced Jim and many others.

 

 

 

[Uniforms of the Day]

What a terrific group to an absolute icon in the hobby.

[manayunkman]

On 2/9/2025 at 10:06 PM, Uniforms of the Day said:

What a terrific group to an absolute icon in the hobby.

Thank you and yes.

 

He wrote some excellent articles about collecting.

[manayunkman]

On 2/9/2025 at 2:06 PM, Monte3 said:

The Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition (1910 - 1911) is in the public domain.

 

https://archive.org/details/encyclopaediabri15chisrich/page/850/mode/2up

 

Here are the plates that influenced Jim and many others.

 

 

 

Robert,

 

I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your contributions to this thread and the education I have gotten.

 

These plates are awesome.

 

Thank you

 

Peter

[Monte3]

Peter

I'm glad Jim's medals have found a happy home and that you're the custodian of his legacy.

Robert

 

[manayunkman]

I want to thank Monte3 for gifting me the Naples medal that Risk collected while stationed there along with a postcard, from his photo album, showing the same view.

 

Thank you Robert, I really appreciate it.

 

Peter

[Wade20th]

This entire grouping is very interesting. I would love to see all of the things you have acquired all together. Just to see it all. Now if only we could find the uniform. 

[Monte3]

In the 1980's Jim claimed that he could still fit into his Navy great overcoat.  But Jim's things went to a cousin in 2005, and when the cousin entered a nursing home a few years ago (he's 96yo) then everything went to a yard sale/barn auction in Conn., whence everything went to the four winds.

 

The estate has been in turmoil. Only yesterday a friend and heir of a specific bequest finally, after waiting over 19 years, recieved a coin specifically bequeathed to him in 2005. In 1966 Mr. Risk wrote an article for Coin Gallery's Numismatic Review: "The Numismatic Influence of Alexander Dumas" 

Jim relates the tale of the coin, a Half Louis d'Or of 1643, in the article. What Jim didn't mention was that the events surrounding his first important numismatic acquisition occurred in 1928, when he was only 15 years old, and $10 was still an American gold piece of considerable value, especially for a youngster.

[Incidentally, 1928 was also the year that the, Oscar winning, rousing film "The Divine Lady" was relreased telling the story of Lord Nelson and Lady Hamiltion with action scenes of the Battle of Trafalgar. Jim had a life long interest in Nelson, and I believe this may have influenced his choice to volunteer for the Navy as WWII approached... ! ]

 

 

 

[manayunkman]

On 2/23/2025 at 1:45 PM, Monte3 said:

In the 1980's Jim claimed that he could still fit into his Navy great overcoat.  But Jim's things went to a cousin in 2005, and when the cousin entered a nursing home a few years ago (he's 96yo) then everything went to a yard sale/barn auction in Conn., whence everything went to the four winds.

 

The estate has been in turmoil. Only yesterday a friend and heir of a specific bequest finally, after waiting over 19 years, recieved a coin specifically bequeathed to him in 2005. In 1966 Mr. Risk wrote an article for Coin Gallery's Numismatic Review: "The Numismatic Influence of Alexander Dumas" 

Jim relates the tale of the coin, a Half Louis d'Or of 1643, in the article. What Jim didn't mention was that the events surrounding his first important numismatic acquisition occurred in 1928, when he was only 15 years old, and $10 was still an American gold piece of considerable value, especially for a youngster.

[Incidentally, 1928 was also the year that the, Oscar winning, rousing film "The Divine Lady" was relreased telling the story of Lord Nelson and Lady Hamiltion with action scenes of the Battle of Trafalgar. Jim had a life long interest in Nelson, and I believe this may have influenced his choice to volunteer for the Navy as WWII approached... ! ]

 

 

 

I love his writing style.

[Jeffrey Ryan]

Hi. This is the 2nd Class Lateran Cross I got from Jim Risk many years ago.  He was promoted to 1st Class in gold.  I assume this is the actual medal Jim got from Pius XII, but I can’t be certain.  I gather they are quite rare, especially in their cases of issue.  .   I’m still waiting for the other things he bequeathed to me.  I hope the estate will be settled before too long.   I happen to have a complete set of the 11th Edition of The Encyclopedia Britannica, including the two “New Volumes” that were published in the early 1920s, mostly covering The Great War. My set is in its original wooden cabinet either glass doors.  
 

Jeffrey

[Jeffrey Ryan]

I thought you would like to see these Knight’s Crosses.  The one on the left, the Order Of The Saints Maurice And Lazarus, was given to me by Jim Risk back in the 1980’s.  He said it was Circa 1860.  The other one is The Order Of The Crown Of Italy (in which Jim was a Commander).   I bought it on eBay as a companion to Jim’s gift and had them mounted and framed together.  
 

Jeffrey

[manayunkman]

51 minutes ago, Jeffrey Ryan said:

I thought you would like to see these Knight’s Crosses.  The one on the left, the Order Of The Saints Maurice And Lazarus, was given to me by Jim Risk back in the 1980’s.  He said it was Circa 1860.  The other one is The Order Of The Crown Of Italy (in which Jim was a Commander).   I bought it on eBay as a companion to Jim’s gift and had them mounted and framed together.  
 

Jeffrey

Great stuff.

 

Thank you for posting.

[Edward C Bell]

 Wow, incredible lot with great history! Congratulations on your find.

[Honcho]

Just want to add to everyone else - this is a Very Beautiful Group, just gorgeous!!

Incredible Quality, provenance, patina, what is not to like??

 

 

[novascotiabaronet]

Greetings from Canada, Gents.

 

My name is Bill Greig, and I have been a collector of mainly British, Canadian, and New Zealand medals for over 45 years.

 

I am a regular viewer of a London England medals auction house called Noonans (www.noonans.co.uk).

May I bring to your attention, their upcoming January 14th sale of medals, which includes 229 lots from the 

James Risk collection, including the C.V.O. Commanders neck badge awarded to James.

 

https://www.noonans.co.uk/auctions/calendar/854/catalogue/516425/?keywords=royal+victorian+order&x=0&y=0

 

May I ask that if any of you know of the whereabouts of any medals of the New Zealand Cross, please feel free to contact me.

 

Happy Hunting!

 

Cheers,

 

Bill in Nova Scotia

[manayunkman]

On 2/20/2025 at 9:24 AM, Wade20th said:

This entire grouping is very interesting. I would love to see all of the things you have acquired all together. Just to see it all. Now if only we could find the uniform. 

Just today I’ve had the chance to photograph everything in one group.

 

 

[4STARCHRIS]

THANK YOU FOR THIS FANTASTIC POSTING OF A FABOULOUS GROUP.

 

[manayunkman]

4 hours ago, 4STARCHRIS said:

THANK YOU FOR THIS FANTASTIC POSTING OF A FABOULOUS GROUP.

 

I am very glad you enjoyed it.

[jmpmstr]

PHENOMINAL! It screams the magnitude of his reach, breadth, and influence in the various circles he moved through and in

[Monte3]

The newest photo of Jim's awards is...   AWESOME  !

[manayunkman]

On 3/24/2026 at 7:07 PM, jmpmstr said:

PHENOMINAL! It screams the magnitude of his reach, breadth, and influence in the various circles he moved through and in

Very well said. Thank you for your comment.

[manayunkman]

7 minutes ago, Monte3 said:

The newest photo of Jim's awards is...   AWESOME  !

Always appreciate hearing from you, hope you’re hunting things down.

[manayunkman]

On 3/23/2026 at 3:10 PM, 4STARCHRIS said:

THANK YOU FOR THIS FANTASTIC POSTING OF A FABOULOUS GROUP.

 

Thank you for your interest glad you like it.