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Pour le Mérite, Blue Max (Item KMEDAL 2-4)

DESCRIPTION: Here is a very fine example of the illustrious Pour le Mérite, the medal that was so coveted by the airmen of WWI and now also hunted and desired so greatly by the collectors of today. Collectors of WWI and even the Third Reich hobbyists consider this to be a Germanophile prize like no other. This is in the fine corn-flower blue color with the finest definition to the eagles. No, this piece is not hallmarked. So if that’s your particular bailiwick as to originality, then don’t even inquire. The medal has the fine cutout tail feathers that were the style of Rothe of Vienna and Godet of Berlin. This Rothe examples have the filled semicircle suspension and are not marked in any way. The lighter blue is characteristic of Rothe pieces. A common characteristic of all the issue WWI badges was the distinctive square formed by the tail feathers of the four eagles. The symmetry of this design is one way to judge the workmanship and authenticity of the badge. The eagles’ legs are also narrow, delicate pieces extending to small footpads on the arms of the cross. This is a detail invariably neglected in copies or WWII replacements. Some of the above information comes from the book The Prussian Orden “Pour le Mérite” by David Edkins, who worked closely with Dr. K.G. Klietmann of Berlin, the world’s foremost authority on medals of the German Empire. This medal meets every requirement of what the experts have deemed necessary for authentication and thus we feel we offer the genuine article here. We will not engage in doing endless measurements or other forensic tests often asked by persons who invariably are not buyers. In any case, we have done our utmost to picture this wonderful medal to perfection and one picture is worth a thousand words, as they say. This medal comes from a consigner whom we implicitly trust and respect. We sell it with the usual guarantee in the knowledge that it is 100 percent genuine and just the greatest Germanic relic that can be found. PRICE: $13,500.00; No longer available

Replacement Pour le Mérite, Blue Max (Item KMEDAL 2-5)

DESCRIPTION: This is a Rothe Blue Max of the type issued to persons who had lost their original issue or surrendered it to allied captivity. Also, it was given to men who had been “field awarded,” but never received it because of German capitulation happening before it could be presented. The quality is good. The eagles are very pronounced and detailed; however, unlike the issue Rothe pieces from the war, the tail feathers are not finished and the square formed by the tails does not readily appear like on the early pieces. The suspension is solid and filled in as the earlier ones. The blue enamel is deeper in color and the crown does not have the jewelling as in the earlier models. The enameling is not near so fine, but without comparison with the issue piece of the “Great War” it is usually not discerned. Although not nearly as nice as the Imperial issue, overall the medal still has historic value in that they were nonetheless awarded to heroes of the war and are deserving of recognition as a historically important relic of that time of Blut und Ehre. PRICE: $12,500.00

Five-medal Bar (Imperial) (Item KMEDAL 2-6)

DESCRIPTION: A very fine medal bar comprising the Iron Cross 2nd Class, the Order of the Prussian Red Eagle of Prussia, the Order of the Prussian Crown, the 25-year Service Medal of Prussia and the Wilhelm I Commemorative Medal 100-year Centenary Medal 1797-1897. This medal is said to be struck from captured French cannon. A great bar with all medals in perfect, pristine condition. Historically very important. PRICE: SOLD

Commander Star of the Red Eagle of Prussia (Item KMEDAL 2-7)

DESCRIPTION: Der Rote Adlerorden is one of the most beautiful orders of Imperial Germany. Founded by Prince George Wilhelm of Brandenberg-Bayreuth as the Order of Sincerite in November of 1705 it was reinstituted by the Prussian Kingdom when the above-mentioned municipality was absorbed by Prussia in 1792. It is awarded to high civil officials and to Prussian and foreign diplomats as a reward for outstanding service to the throne. It came in six classes of which this one is the breast badge or star. This badge is in perfect condition with all enamel unchipped. It is unmarked as far as maker marks, but looks like the Godet style. It’s 100 percent original and is nice a one as we have ever seen. PRICE:  SOLD