Portugal, Republic. A Lot Of Portuguese Youth Insignia

A mixed lot of Mocidade Portuguesa (Portuguese Youth) insignia, including:

1. A membership badge, constructed of bronze with multi-coloured enamels, horizontal pinback, the reverse stamped with a membership number of “4650G”, measuring 22 mm (w) x 22 mm (h), with some scratching and flecking of enamels evident, in very fine condition.

2. A breast/sleeve insignia, constructed of multi-coloured machine embroidery, unmarked, measuring 50 mm (w) x 5 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

3. A Sports Merit Medal, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon with buckle, unmarked, measuring 32 mm (w) x 32 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

4. A photo depicting a member in full uniform and with a breast insignia clearly visible, the reverse bearing a handwritten inscription of “10 ANOS” (“10 YEARS”) and stamped with a Santarém studio mark, measuring 52 mm (w) x 80 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

Footnote: Initially established in 1936, the Mocidade Portuguesa was inspired by the German HJ and Italian Opera Nazionale Balilla, as Portugal sought to emulate the former's success in cultivating ideologically-reliable youth through national service and sports activities. Similar to its German and Italian counterparts, the organization featured a female branch, the Mocidade Portuguesa Feminina, with a mandate to prepare Portuguese female youth for their roles as wives and mothers in accordance with the Estado Novo's traditionalist milieu. It was dissolved in 1974 as part of the Carnation Revolution, which saw a transition to liberal democracy in Portugal.