This is an interesting decoration that comes from the Grand Duchy of Hesse-Darmstadt. It is the Military Red Cross Service Cross. It was awarded to soldiers who were serving in a Red Cross capacity. It is an interestingly-shaped cross, of a type rarely seen among German decorations…
This is an interesting plate which commemorates the German Red Cross from 1915. It also commemorates the alliance between Germany and Austria……
This is a fascinating item. We have never seen anything like it before. It is a cased set of four table medals for the Saxon Red Cross, made by the famed porcelain manufacturer Meissen……
Vivat ribbons were very popular German patriotic items, primarily during the early and mid-war periods. They were made of silk. Most measure approximately 2 ½” x 16.” In addition to being patriotic, they also often benefitted the German Red Cross. This example salutes the efforts of Red Cross medics (Sanitäters). These brave men were volunteers. They went on the battlefield to bring back the wounded for medical attention. It involved them entering “No Man’s Land,” which was extremely hazardous. Three vignettes on the Vivat celebrate their efforts. The top features a dog and man working together to retrieve the battlefield’s wounded. The dogs were specially trained to help find the wounded, who were not always clearly visible. The middle scene depicts a battlefield, complete with a trench. A pair of volunteers carries a stretcher, while the wounded call to them from the trench. The bottom displays a horse drawn ambulance caravan. Beneath the top scene the words “Zum Besten des” (the best of the) appear above the Red Cross emblem. Between the second and third scenes is the phrase “Edel Sei der Mensch Hilfreich und gut” (Precious is the good and helpful man). The Vivat’s color is light-red. The Berlin manufacturer’s name appears at the bottom.
Beautifully maintained, Austrian Red Cross Decoration for Service during Wartime. The Austrian Red Cross Decoration was issued from 1864 through 1914. As with most Austrian decorations, the enamel work it is simply gorgeous. The cross is elongated and measures 1 3/4″ x 1 1/2.” Its arms are white and red enamel. A red cross is in the center and a gorgeous green enamel wreath joins the four arms together….
The Red Cross Medal 3rd Class was awarded to workers who assisted in Red Cross activities….
This is the Red Cross Medal 3rd Class. It was awarded to those workers who assisted in Red Cross activities. The medal is gilt-toned and measures 1 1/4″ in diameter. The obverse features a cross. Each arm’s top is crowned. Among the arms are the letters W, R, V, and A….
This example was meant for a female worker, as its ribbon is tied in a bow. Both medal and ribbon are in very fine condition….
This is the 2nd Class level of the Red Cross Worker Medal, which was awarded to both men and women from 1898 through 1921. The Red Cross that appears on the 2nd Class medal is made of red enamel. The decoration and ribbon are both in very fine condition. As the ribbon is the straight variety, our example was meant for a male worker…
Anhalt was a small principality ruled by Prince Friedrich, with an 1890 population of 271,000, so small that it fielded a single Infantry Regiment. With WW I’s outbreak and Kaiser Wilhelm’s re-institution of the Iron Cross in 1914, many other states, including Anhalt, brought forward their own versions….
This is a consignment item. It is a very handsome presentation of a high-quality 1870 Iron Cross in top condition. Its paint is nearly-perfect. It comes from a manufacturer who cared about his work and wanted to present a top-shelf product. He was completely successful in this effort! As handsome as the Iron Cross is, the 25-Year Jubilee Oak Leaves are the real stars. Their silver sports a high, frosted finish that just glows where it is attached to the ribbon. Speaking of the ribbon, it is extra-long, measuring approximately 9″ in length (it is folded in half and sewn together).
The Iron Cross is housed in an INcorrect red leatherette case. The case measures 3/4″ x 2 1/8″ x 2 5/8.” It is similar to, or IS, a Red Eagle Order 3rd or 4th Class’s case. The case has black silk and velvet lining its inner top and bottom halves. It also sports a most-handsome gold trim around its lower half.
REPRODUCTION of the Grand Cross of the Military Max Joseph. It is embroidered rather than made of metal. Such embroidered breast stars were referred to as “Tinsel Stars” in Germany. Commonly used during the 18th and 19th Centuries, they were most popular prior to the 1840’s….
This is Sanke card Nr 533 of von Richthofen. This is a different variation of this card. It is what I refer to as a death card. It was produced in 1918 after the death of von Richthofen in April of that year. First we see a cross after Richthofen which indicates that he was deceased. Second the card was originally bordered in black. Over time this has faded into silver due to the oxidation of the card….
This is a very rare and much desired honor cross for Waldeck Pyrmont. The award was awarded 1854-1896 during the reign of the third sovereign Prince George Victor. …
This is a very rare and much desired honor cross for Waldeck Pyrmont. The award was awarded 1854-1896 during the reign of the third sovereign Prince George Victor. …
The Oldenburg War Merit Cross First Class with Swords, in patina iron with a black paint finish and comes with a combatants blue with red striped ribbon, in mint condition and is a rare award….
The Friedrich August Cross 2nd Class from the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg was the equivalent to the 1914 Iron Cross 2nd Class.
The Friedrich August Cross is a black magnetic cross with the crowned cypher of the Grand Duke and the date 1914.
The blackened bronze cross with laurel wreath between the arms, with loop for ribbon suspension with ladies home front merit bow….
The Friedrich August Cross 2nd Class from the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg was the equivalent to the 1914 Iron Cross 2nd Class.
The Friedrich August Cross is a black magnetic cross with the crowned cypher of the Grand Duke and the date 1914….
The Oldenburg War Merit Cross First Class with Swords, in patina iron with a black paint finish and comes with a combatants blue with red striped ribbon, in mint condition and is a rare award….
The Friedrich August Cross 2nd Class from the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg was the equivalent to the 1914 Iron Cross 2nd Class.
The Friedrich August Cross is a black magnetic cross with the crowned cypher of the Grand Duke and the date 1914, circled with laurel leaves….
The Friedrich August Cross 2nd Class from the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg was the equivalent to the 1914 Iron Cross 2nd Class.
The Friedrich August Cross is a black magnetic cross with the crowned cypher of the Grand Duke and the date 1914.
The Mecklenburg-Schwerin Military Merit Cross (Militärverdienstkreuz) was established by Friedrich Franz II, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin on August 5, 1848.
Mecklenburg-Schwerin, a grand duchy located in northern Germany, was a member of the German Confederation and later the German Empire….
Grand Duchy of Hesse-Darmstadt’s Fifteen-Year Long-Service Award…..
Hanseatic Crosses were issued for the three Hanseatic Free States of Hamburg, Lübeck, and Bremen. This example hails from Hamburg. It represents the city/state’s equivalent to the 1914 Iron Cross 2nd Class….
The Braunschweig war merit cross was instituted by Duke Ernst August on 23 October 1914, initially in one class, for merit in action and to be awarded regardless of rank. It is often known as the ‘Ernst August Cross’. On 20 March 1918, a first class of the Cross was created in pinback form….
This is the Duchy of Anhalt’s 1914 Friedrich Cross 2nd Class for Non Combatants……
Little need to be said about the career of Manfred von Richthofen. He was the ace of aces during WW I and no one sparks more interest in the history of aviation than him….
This is the Friedrich Cross 1st Class from Anhalt. It is bronze toned and was considered the equivalent of the 1914 Iron Cross 1st Class. It was awarded in small numbers after WW I….
Otto Weddigen was the first U-Boot commander to be awarded the Orden Pour le Merite. He commanded the U-9 and in September 1914 he sank three British armored cruisers in one hour. For this exploit he was awarded the 1914 Iron Cross 1st Class. The other officers and men received the 1914 Iron Cross 2nd Class. Shortly there after he sank a few more ships and was awarded the Pour le Merite. He was the first Naval Officer to receive the PLM.
He was transferred to the U-29 and in March his vessel was rammed by a British battleship and sank with all hands….
Otto Weddigen was the first U-Boot comander to be awarded the Orden Pour le Merite. He commanded the U-9 and in September 1914 he sank three British armored cruisers in one hour. For this exploit he was awarded the 1914 Iron Cross 1st Class. The other officers and men received the 1914 Iron Cross 2nd Class. Shortly there after he sank a few more ships and was awarded the Pour le Merite. He was the first Naval Officer to receive the PLM….
This is the Iron Cross 1st Class equivalent for the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. This was the smaller Mecklenburg Duchy which shared the military of the grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.
The cross is silver toned. It has a fine patina and has not been cleaned in decades….
This is Sanke card Nr 533 of Manfred von Richthofen. He is seen from the waist up in his ulanka and visor cap. He is wearing the Prussian Pilot badge and 1914 Iron Cross 1st Class on his left breast. His Orden Pour le Mérite is at his throat. He is looking to his left and not at the camera. He has his hand on his left hip much as his mentor Oswald Boelcke had done….
This is Sanke card Nr 534 of Manfred von Richthofen and is also a death card. The pose shows his seated wearing his visor cap. On his ulanka is pined his Prussian pilot badge and 1914 Iron Cross 1st Class. He is wearing his PLM at his throat. Below his rank is his name and a cross signifying that he was deceased. The card is bordered in black….
This Sanke card Nr 619 is unique among Manfred von Richthofen cards. It is a death card. The pose of him is seen in another Sanke card. His portrait is bordered in black. His name below it shows a cross signifying that he is deceased. Below that is a touching poem….
This Sanke card Nr 619 is unique among Manfred von Richthofen cards. It is a death card. The pose of him is seen in another Sanke card. His portrait is bordered in black. His name below it shows a cross signifying that he is deceased. Below that is a touching poem….
This is Sanke Card Nr 450 of Manfred von Richthofen. This card is notable for two reasons. It is the first Sanke card of the “Red Baron.” It is also the only pose of him in full dress uniform. The uniform is complete with his Prussian pilot badge and 1914 Iron Cross 1st Class. Above that we see a four place medal bar with his Knights Cross Class of the Hohenzollern House Order with Swords. At his neck is the Orden Pour le Mérite….
This is Sanke Card Nr 450 of Manfred von Richthofen. This card is notable for two reasons. It is the first Sanke card of the “Red Baron.” It is also the only pose of him in full dress uniform. The uniform is complete with his Prussian pilot badge and 1914 Iron Cross 1st Class. Above that we see a four place medal bar with his Knights Cross Class of the Hohenzollern House Order with Swords. At his neck is the Orden Pour le Mérite….
This is Sanke Card Nr 450 of Manfred von Richthofen. This card is notable for two reasons. It is the first Sanke card of the “Red Baron.” It is also the only pose of him in full dress uniform. The uniform is complete with his Prussian pilot badge and 1914 Iron Cross 1st Class. Above that we see a four place medal bar with his Knights Cross Class of the Hohenzollern House Order with Swords. At his neck is the Orden Pour le Mérite….
This is Sanke Card Nr 450 of Manfred von Richthofen. This card is notable for two reasons. It is the first Sanke card of the “Red Baron.” It is also the only pose of him in full dress uniform. The uniform is complete with his Prussian pilot badge and 1914 Iron Cross 1st Class. Above that we see a four place medal bar with his Knights Cross Class of the Hohenzollern House Order with Swords. At his neck is the Orden Pour le Mérite….
The three Free City states of the Hanseatic League consisted of Hamburg, Lübeck, and Bremen. All three awarded different variations of the Hanseatic Cross. These were considered to be 1914 Iron Cross 2nd Class equivalents…
The three Free City states of the Hanseatic League consisted of Hamburg, Lübeck, and Bremen. All three awarded different variations of the Hanseatic Cross. These were considered to be 1914 Iron Cross 2nd Class equivalents…
This is an interesting variation of the Crown Order 4th Class. On the top arm, we see a Red Cross symbol which would make this award for a medical professional, likely a Doctor. The enamel on the obverse is unblemished. There is some chipping to the enamel on the reverse. The decoration is parade mounted.
The officer casino was the German version of an American officer’s club. It was a place where officer’s could gather and share drink and discuss military matters…..
German naval operations were based in two areas of Germany: the North Sea’s Wilhelmshaven and the Baltic Sea’s Kiel. [During WW I Kaiser Wilhelm II’s brother, Prinz Heinrich of Prussia, was a Großadmiral (the only Großadmiral to have tactical command at the front) based at Kiel. He was responsible for operations in the Baltic against the Russians. Kiel was always a secondary front, since Wilhelmshaven hosted Germany’s biggest, newest, and best ships as they faced the English fleet. This was particularly true in 1916 when the two fleets clashed at the Battle of Jutland (Skagerrak)]….
This is without a doubt the FINEST 1914 iron Cross 1st Class with an ultra-custom presentation case that I have encountered……
This is Sanke card Nr 532 of Rittmeister Freiherr von Richthofen. Manfred Von Richthofen is arguably the most famous of air aces. While many German pilots exceeded his score none have the overall brilliance that he did…..
We are pleased to offer you today the award document for the Military Merit Cross 3rd Class with Swords. To accompany it is the actual decoration.
The awardee was Josef Huber. The date of the award was 12 October 1918 with the document having been prepared on 21 October 1918…..