Germany, Imperial. A Unique "Red Baron", Manfred von Richthofen Award Display, with Authentic and Exhibition Decorations

(Ausstellung des Manfred von Richthofen Auszeichnungen). A display featuring a collection of awards similar to those awarded to Manfred von Richthofen (the “Red Baron”), featuring both authentic and exhibition decorations, the former consisting of:

1. A 1914 Iron Cross II class, constructed of iron and silver, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with a blackened magnetic iron core within a ribbed silver frame, the obverse with a central initial “W”, the six o’clock arm with a reinstitution date of “1914”, the twelve o’clock arm with a royal crown, the reverse with three central oak leaves, the six o’clock arm with an initial institution date of “1813”, the twelve o’clock arm with initials “FW” topped by a royal crown, unmarked, measuring 42.43 mm (w) x 46.38 mm (h), weighing 17.0 grams, in very fine condition.

2. A Bavarian Order of Military Merit, III Class Cross with Crown and Swords, constructed of silver with gilt and multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Maltese Cross with blue enameled arms joined through the quadrants by stylized flames, the obverse bearing a central black enameled disc overlaid by a gilt monogram of King Ludwig II, surrounded by a stylized white enameled belt and buckle, bearing a gilt inscription of “MERENTI” (“MERIT”) with arabesques, the twelve o’clock arm riveted with a crossed sword clasp, the reverse bearing a central black enameled medallion overlaid by a gilt Bavarian lion rampant, surrounded by a stylized white enameled belt and buckle, bearing a gilt institution date of “1866” with arabesques, topped by a crown suspension with a ring and period original ribbon, the reverse of the swords maker marked with the logo of Gebrüder Hemmerle, Munich, with a silver content number of “900”, measuring 43.10 mm (w) x 65.00 mm (h), weighing 26. Grams, demonstrating some flecking to the enamels and loss of finish to the base metal, probably 1920's issue cross, in very fine condition.

3. A Saxe-Ernestine House Order, I Class Knight’s Cross, constructed of silver with gilt and multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Maltese Cross with white enameled arms completing in ball finials, each joined through the quadrants by lions passant, the obverse bearing a central gilt medallion overlaid by a raised bust of Duke Ernst I, surrounded by a blue enameled ring bearing a gilt inscription of “FIDELITER ET CONSTANTER” (“FAITHFUL AND STEADFAST”), in turn situated within a green enameled oak leaf wreath, the reverse bearing a central gilt and enameled Saxe-Ernestine coat of arms, surrounded by a blue enameled ring bearing a gilt date of “DEN 25. DECEMBER 1833”, in turn situated within a green enameled oak leaf wreath, the twelve o’clock arm topped by a crown suspension with a ring retaining a period original ribbon, unmarked, measuring 43.93 mm (w) x 69.15 mm (h), weighing 22.9 grams, demonstrating chipping and flecking to the enamels, in near very fine condition.

4. A Hesse Bravery Medal, constructed of silver, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, the obverse bearing a central leftward-facing profile of Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig, circumscribed by name and title, the reverse bearing a central wreathed inscription of “FÜR TAPFERKEIT” (“FOR BRAVERY”), unmarked, measuring 33.55 mm in diameter, weighing 14.5 grams, demonstrating some tarnishing and softening of features, in very fine condition.

5. A Lippe War Merit Cross, II Class, constructed of gilded bronze, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with pebbled arms, the obverse bearing a central raised Lippe rose, situated within a circular laurel leaf wreath, the six o’clock arm bearing a raised date of “1914”, the twelve o’clock arm bearing a raised monogram of Prince Leopold IV, the reverse bearing a raised inscription of “FÜR AUSZEICHNUNG IM KRIEGE” (“FOR EXCELLENCE IN WAR”), unmarked, measuring 40.86 mm (w) x 44.50 mm (h), weighing 20.2 grams (inclusive of ribbon), in extremely fine condition.

6. A Hamburg Hanseatic Cross, constructed of silvered copper with enamels, consisting of a Cross Pattée, the obverse with red enameled arms, bearing a central silvered Hamburg coat of arms, the reverse bearing a central inscription of “FÜR VERDIENST IM KRIEGE 1914” (“FOR MERIT IN WAR 1914”), unmarked, measuring 40.02 mm (w) x 44.03 mm (h), weighing 19.2 grams (inclusive of ribbon), demonstrating some flecking and loss of finish to the enamels and base metal, respectively, in near extremely fine condition.

7. A Bremen Hanseatic Cross, constructed of silvered copper with enamels, consisting of a Cross Pattée, the obverse with red enameled arms, bearing a central silvered Bremen coat of arms, the reverse bearing a central inscription of “FÜR VERDIENST IM KRIEGE 1914” (“FOR MERIT IN WAR 1914”), unmarked, measuring 39.89 mm (w) x 43.43 mm (h), weighing 17.1 grams (inclusive of ribbon), demonstrating some flecking and loss of finish to the enamels and base metal, respectively, in near extremely fine condition.

8. A Lübck Hanseatic Cross, constructed of silvered copper with enamels, consisting of a Cross Pattée, the obverse with red enameled arms, bearing a central silvered Lübeck coat of arms, the reverse bearing a central inscription of “FÜR VERDIENST IM KRIEGE 1914” (“FOR MERIT IN WAR 1914”), unmarked, measuring 39.94 mm (w) x 43.86 mm (h), weighing 18.1 grams (inclusive of ribbon), demonstrating some flecking and loss of finish to the enamels and base metal, respectively, in near extremely fine condition.

9. A Black Grade Wound Badge, constructed of blackened magnetic metal, the obverse consisting of an oval laurel leaf wreath, joined together at the bottom by ribbon, with a central raised Stahlhelm on top of crossed swords on a pebbled field, the reverse with a crimped hinge and vertical pinback meeting a round wire catch, unmarked, measuring 38.71 mm (w) x 44.45 mm (h), weighing 9.5 grams, demonstrating loss of finish throughout, in very fine condition.

10. An Austrian Military Merit Cross, III Class, constructed of silver with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Cross Pattée, the obverse with white enameled arms trimmed with red enamels, joined through the quadrants by a circular laurel leaf wreath, bearing a central white enameled medallion overlaid by a raised inscription of “VERDIENST” (“MERIT”), situated within a red enameled ring, the reverse with white enameled arms and a central white enameled medallion, the twelve o’clock arm topped by an integral loop retaining a ring with a period original tri-fold ribbon,  unmarked, measuring 30.49 mm (w) x 33.73 mm (h), weighing 16.8 grams (inclusive of ribbon), demonstrating some flecking to the enamels, in very fine condition.

11. An Ottoman Liyakat Medal, constructed of silvered bronze, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon with clasp, unmarked, measuring 24.73 mm in diameter, weighing 8.8 grams (inclusive of ribbon), in very fine condition.

Accompanying these authentic decorations is an array of higher and lower quality collector’s reproductions, including a Pour le Mérite (poor quality), a 1914 Iron Cross I Class, a Prussian Order of the Red Eagle III Class Cross, a House Order of Hohenzollern III Class with Swords, a Saxon Military Order of St. Henry Knight’s Cross, an Oldenburg Friedrich August Cross I Class, an Austrian Order of the Iron Crown III Class, and an Ottoman War Medal, affixed to a shadow box featuring a period postcard and reproduced images, in overall extremely fine condition.

All concealed within a sturdy shadow box consisting of a wooden frame with a black velvet bed and removable plexiglass cover, measuring 27 cm (w) x 37 cm (l).

Also accompanied by a mixed lot of post-war publications and documents, primarily considering the wartime career and death of von Richthofen, with an emphasis on who ultimately downed the legendary ace, complemented by photographs of early militaria shows and a cloth map of Switzerland, an interesting compilation from the early decades of militaria collecting in near extremely fine condition.