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J. Godet & Sons Pour le Merite Style Medal in Case with Ribbon

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,000.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 4,000.00 USD
J. Godet & Sons Pour le Merite Style Medal in Case with Ribbon
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J. Godet & Sons Pour le Merite Style Medal in Case with Ribbon

Instituted in 1740 by Frederick the Great and continuing to the end of the German Empire in 1918, the Pour le Merite (French: "For Merit") was the highest order of merit in the Kingdom of Prussia. While higher nobility was favored in receiving the order, unlike many other honor orders it was awarded explicitly for extraordinary achievement and not as a mere courtesy honor. Also known as the "Blue Max", the last days of the order's life saw it chiefly associated with the fighter aces of the German Air Force, where scoring a certain number of confirmed aerial kills by the strict German standards, 8 in the beginning and escalating over the course of the war, would earn the aviator the title of "Uberkanonen" (roughly "Top Gun") and qualify them for the order. The firm of J. Godet & Sons was originally founded in 1761, and by 1828 they were the court jeweler to Crown Prince (later King of Prussia and Emperor of Germany) Wilhelm of Prussia, who would name the firm the Royal Court Jewelers on the occasion of their sesquicentennial. Measuring 2 inches wide and 2 1/8 inches tall, the overall construction is a Maltese cross of .938 purity silver finished in gold, with Imperial Eagles between the powder blue enamel finished arms, with the royal cypher of Frederick in gold on the top arm, "Pour" on the left arm, "le Me" on the right, and "rite" on the lower arm. The rear is properly clean of markings, with the makers mark "JG u.S." and purity mark of "938" on top of the medal, where it is partially concealed by the gilt wire suspension band. A black ribbon with silver border trim, 2 3/8 inches wide and 20 inches long with black and white ties is included. Both the medal and ribbon are contained in a case with a brown leatherette exterior and purple silk and velvet lined interior.

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Very good. A pattern of checkerboard engraving has been added to the "F", "P", and "M" among the front letters, and to the base of the crown, the accent mark from the "E" is absent, and some light handling marks are visible on the enamel. The ribbon shows some minor staining, and the case is very good. A scarce example of one of the top decorations in Continental Europe, deeply connected to generations of military excellence and some of the leading pioneers of aerial warfare.