567

GERMAN SOCIAL WELFARE AWARD, FIRST CLASS, WITH RIBBON AND CASE.

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Militaria Start Price:1,000.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
GERMAN SOCIAL WELFARE AWARD, FIRST CLASS, WITH RIBBON AND CASE.
EHRENZEICHEN FUER DEUTSCHE VOLKSPFLEGE 1.STUFE German Social Welfare Award, First Class, made by Gebr. Godet & Co., Berlin. Pristine condition, with original ribbon and set in the original case, essentially untouched since the date of manufacture. The award is comprised of a fire-gilt finished and black and white enamel Greek cross with fire gilt edges, with a large stylized black enameled national eagle grasping a wreathed swastika. The gilt hanger bears two oak leaves and is threaded with the original ribbon which bears slight wear only at the folds where it has been stored in the presentation box. The padded case, bears gilt printing on the inside of the top lid describing the award. The box itself is lightly soiled but otherwise fine. A 9/10 award. The Social Welfare Decoration was a German Civil Service Award which was issued in three classes in the 1930s and the 1940s for a wide variety of services to the German state. A "Medal of Social Welfare" was also issued for lesser degrees of civil service. The main requirement for the award was that the service rendered should be to the benefit of the civil population. Reinhard Heydrich was awarded the decoration for his running of the Gestapo in the 1930s and for providing "security" to the German people. Joseph Mengele was also awarded the decoration in 1941, for providing medical services to wounded soldiers and civilians alike on the battlefields of the Eastern Front.

Estimate: $2,000 - 3,000.

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