This is a particularly nice pair of buckles, which typically would have been worn at court or on special occasions. The base is silver-plated bronze with ormolu ornaments (the gilt elements on the frame).

This is a rare surviving letter in German from Gustav Salek, possibly a Czech political prisoner, in Sachsenhausen concentration camp. It is dated 21 April 1940 and I have translated it below - please excuse any mistakes, as German is not my mother tongue.

These badges and boater ribbons belonged to Gerald W E Loder, who was at Eton 1875-81. Later Conservative MP for Brighton 1889-1906, he qualified as a barrister at the Inner Temple in 1888. He was a lord commissioner of the Treasury in 1905; JP & Deputy Lt for Sussex, Vice-Chairman of Sussex TA association; Deputy Chairman of Southern Railway Co.

This is a silver buckle (62mm across) dating from c 1770 on stylistic grounds. There is a 19th-century French purity stamp (.800) in the shape of a boar's head punch, introduced in 1838 for all silver being sold openly in the marketplace or a shop.

The Camp Men - The SS Officers who ran the Nazi Concentraton Camp System by French L. MacLean, published by Schiffer, USA, 1999, hardback, 380 pages (22 x 28.5 cm). It gives details, where known, of service histories and medal awards and is copiously illustrated with all the 'bad guys'!