{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-3rd-class-bronze-mother-s-cross-with-ribbon-and-2nd-class-award-packet-cross-of-honor-of-the-german-mother","title":"Original German WWII 3rd Class Bronze Mother’s Cross with Ribbon and 2nd Class Award Packet - Cross of Honor of the German Mother","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely example of The Cross of Honor of the German Mother or \u003cem\u003eMutterkreuz\u003c\/em\u003e (Mother’s Cross) in Bronze (3rd class, Bronze Cross: eligible mothers with four or five children). It comes complete with an original ribbon, which is threaded through the cross and stitched together at the ends, and also comes with an original paper presentation packet, though it is for the next highest grade of award.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReverse of medal reads \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e16 December 1938\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e, which is the date that the award was first established, along with AH's Signature. The condition is very good with much of the original bronze wash still retained, showing some wear and oxidation. The ribbon is still in very good shape, showing just a bit of light staining, so it does look to have been worn for a bit. It is also attached using a clip to the top of the cross, where we usually see them threaded through the cross itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe packet correctly indicates that it is for \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEhrenkreuz der Deutſchen Mutter Zeite Stufe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e (Mother's Cross Second Class) on the front, and the rear is maker marked with \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eJ.E. Hammer \u0026amp; Söhne \/ Geringswalde\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e. The packet is in good condition, with no tearing, just some wrinkling to the paper. It has however faded quite a bit on the front, and it was originally blue, as shown on the back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eComes ready to display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Cross of Honour of the German Mother, referred to colloquially as the \u003cem\u003eMutterehrenkreuz\u003c\/em\u003e (Mother’s Cross of Honor) or simply \u003cem\u003eMutterkreuz\u003c\/em\u003e (Mother’s Cross), was a state decoration conferred by the government of the German Reich to honor a Reichsdeutsche German mother for exceptional merit to the German nation. Eligibility later extended to include \u003cem\u003eVolksdeutsche\u003c\/em\u003e (ethnic German) mothers from, for example, Austria and Sudetenland, that had earlier been incorporated into the German Reich.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe decoration was conferred from 1939 until 1945 in three classes: bronze, silver, and gold, to \u003cem\u003eReichsdeutsche\u003c\/em\u003e mothers who exhibited probity, exemplary motherhood, and who conceived and raised at least four or more children in the role of a parent. A similar practice, that continues to this present day, was already established in France since 1920, by conferring the \u003cem\u003eMédaille de la Famille français\u003c\/em\u003ee (Medal of the French Family), a tribute to the French mother who raised several children in an appropriate way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn recognition of the substantial importance a woman's role and motherhood was in support of a strong Germany, the Cross of Honor of the German Mother was introduced by decree in Berlin on 16 December 1938 by \u003cem\u003eFührer und Reichskanzler\u003c\/em\u003e (leader and chancellor) AH. The preamble of the statutory decree declared:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAs a visible sign of gratitude of the German nation to children-rich mothers I establish this Cross of Honor of the German Mother\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe crosses were awarded annually on the second Sunday in May (Mothering Sunday or Mother's Day), but also extended to include other national annual occasions of celebration. So despite its institution in 1938, the first awards were rendered in May 1939.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Mother's Cross was composed of three classes, and conferred to mothers in accordance with its statutory legislation: Verordnung des Führers und Reichskanzlers über die Stiftung des Ehrenkreuzes der Deutschen Mutter vom 16. Dezember 1938.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReichsgesetzblatt (RGBI) Teil I, 1938, Nr. 224, Seite 1923 (In English: Statutory Order of the Leader and Chancellor on the establishment of the Cross of Honor of the German Mother of 16 December 1938. Imperial-(Reichs) Law Gazette (RGBl) Part I, 1938, No. 224, Page 1923), and its stringent nomination screening protocol.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eClasses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e-1st class, Gold Cross: eligible mothers with eight or more children\u003cbr\u003e-2nd class, Silver Cross: eligible mothers with six or seven children\u003cbr\u003e-3rd class, Bronze Cross: eligible mothers with four or five children\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44824909643845,"sku":"ONSV26PCS056","price":125.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV26PCS056__01.jpg?v=1774876044","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-3rd-class-bronze-mother-s-cross-with-ribbon-and-2nd-class-award-packet-cross-of-honor-of-the-german-mother","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}