{"product_id":"original-unissued-german-wwii-bronze-3rd-class-4-to-5-children-mother-s-cross-with-ribbon-in-original-tissue-wrapping","title":"Original Unissued German WWII Bronze 3rd Class (4 to 5 Children) Mother’s Cross with Ribbon in Original Tissue Wrapping","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Items: Very Few Available. We just received a small handful of genuine WWII German Mothers Crosses in excellent unissued condition. The crosses all come with the original blue and white ribbons and are still wrapped in the original tissue paper. All crosses are in near mint condition with the expected tarnishing on the bronze.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cross design is a slender elongated form of the Iron Cross or cross pattée and very similar in design to the Marian Cross of the Teutonic Order, enameled translucent-blue with a slim opaque-white border. Resting on the center radiant starburst rays is a metal roundel decorated with the words \u003cstrong\u003eDER DEUTSCHEN MUTTER\u003c\/strong\u003e (in English: TO THE GERMAN MOTHER) around an enameled black straight centered \"swas\" symbol, infilled white enamel. Reverse 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cross design was the creation of the established Munich-based architect and sculptor Franz Berberich. The production of the cross involved several established \u003cem\u003ePräsidialkanzlei\u003c\/em\u003e (Presidential Chancellery) approved medal makers from across the German Reich. A maker's mark was never applied to the crosses produced; though each official house of manufacture did apply their name to the dark-blue presentation case (inside cover) for the 1st Class Gold Cross and the presentation sachets (reverse side) for each of the 2nd and 3rd Class Cross.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eComes more than ready for display!\u003cbr\u003e\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 Reichsdeutsche 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 française\u003c\/em\u003e (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 Führer und Reichskanzler (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. Reichsgesetzblatt (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 data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e-1st class, Gold Cross: eligible mothers with eight or more children\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e-2nd class, Silver Cross: eligible mothers with six or seven children\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e-3rd class, Bronze Cross: eligible mothers with four or five children\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40441792266309,"sku":"ONSV22SDN20M","price":89.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/products\/ONSV22SDN20M__03.jpg?v=1669736196","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-unissued-german-wwii-bronze-3rd-class-4-to-5-children-mother-s-cross-with-ribbon-in-original-tissue-wrapping","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}