Original Item: Only One Available. This is a fantastic example of the rather rare Order of the German Eagle. The Order of Merit of the German Eagle was an award of the German NSDAP regime, predominantly to foreign diplomats. The Order was instituted on 1 May 1937 by Adolf H. It ceased to be awarded following the collapse of NSDAP Germany at the end of World War II in Europe. The wearing of the Order of Merit of the German Eagle is prohibited in the Federal Republic of Germany.

The Cross is based on the Maltese Cross with German Eagles at each corner carrying a swas. For military recipients the Order also featured crossed swords. The cross was suspended from a 46 mm red ribbon with stripes in black, red and white. The award, in the first two classes, also came in the form of a silver or gold eight pointed star, with corresponding white Maltese Cross and gold eagles centered. The overall appearance and name of the Order resembled the Prussian Order of the Black Eagle, Order of the Red Eagle and Order of Saint John (Bailiwick of Brandenburg).

This example is in lovely condition and is properly marked on the suspension ring with a 900 and 21. The 900 is the “purity” mark or silver content (.900) and the 21 is the maker stamp for Gebrüder Godet & Co. of Berlin. This is the oldest order/jewelry firm in Germany, known for making every German order and insignia from around the world.

The company was founded by Jean Godet in 1761, and was first located at Schloßfreiheit 4 in Berlin. Around 1796, it was taken over by his son, Jean Jacques who was later succeeded by his son, Jean Frederic. Under his stewardship, the firm became the official court jeweler to the Crown Prince of Prussia in 1828. In 1861, King Wilhelm designated Godet, then run by Jean Fredric’s son Jean Pierre, the official purveyor to the court. In 1871, the German Empire was born with Kaiser Wilhelm on the throne. It is believed that Godet was manufacturing the “Type B” core of the Iron Cross at this time, along with both the first and second class Iron Cross, and international orders. In 1880, Pierre died, and six years later, Eugen Godet entered the family business. They moved locations in 1892 to Friedrichstraße 167, and again in 1908 to Charlottenstraße 55. In 1911, the firm was designated the Royal Court Jewelers by Kaiser Wilhelm II during their sesquicentennial celebrations, the highest honor a jeweler could receive. Eugen became the sole proprietor at the age of 45 that same year, the fifth generation of Godet. The company was also the court jeweler to the Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and to the Prince of Lippe.

Around 1924, the company name was changed to Eugen Godet & Co. and by the early 1930s had changed again to Gebrüder Godet & Co. During the Second World War, they were the exclusive supplier of the German Red Cross.

The factory was bombed in 1944, and Eugen died in 1947. His widow carried on the business until it was sold in 1964 to Die Orden Sammlung, led by Dr. Klietmann.

The Order of Merit of the German Eagle was a diplomatic and honorary award given to prominent foreigners, particularly diplomats.

In addition to awards to non-Germans, the Reich Foreign Minister and the Reich Protector of Bohemia and Moravia received a 'Special Degree' (Sonderstufe), with identical insignia to the Grand Cross of the Order. Accordingly, Foreign Minister Constantin von Neurath, received the Special Degree of the Order, with a further award to Joachim von Ribbentrop on his appointment as Foreign Minister in 1938. In 1943 Dr. Wilhelm Frick received the Special Degree after becoming Reich Protector of Bohemia and Moravia.

This is truly a wonderful example which retains the original ribbon and almost all of the original finish to the metal. These do not surface that often, and when they do they disappear again, so you do not want to miss the opportunity to add this one to your collections.

Comes more than ready to display!