Original German WWII 1st Class Gold Mother’s Cross with Named Award Document and 1940 Dated Photograph

Original Item: One of a Kind Set. This is an excellent example of The Cross of Honor of the German Mother or Mutterkreuz (Mother’s Cross) in gold (1st class, Gold Cross: eligible mothers with eight or more children). It is in great shape with an original ribbon pin, and comes together with the original named besitzzeugnis (award certificate), as well as a period photograph of what we assume is the recipient.

The document indicates that it was awarded to Gertrud M e r k e l geb. Bauer in Wurzen, and that it was awarded in die erſst Stufe (first class). These were not dated, and were awarded throughout the war. The "geb. Bauer" stands for gebornen (born) Bauer, indicating the maiden name of the mother. The certificate still shows the original NSDAP Raised seal, and shows the usual age toning and light soiling. There is also some tearing to the edges of the 21cm x 29.5c, (A4 Size) paper.

The award itself still has some of the original ribbon present, which has been tied and sewn to a safety pin style attachment. The front of the award still has all of the original enamel, and the gold wash is almost completely retained on this excellent example. Reverse of medal reads 16 December 1938, which is the date that the award was first established, along with AH's Signature. 

Also included is a lovely 3 7/8" x 2 3/4" photograph showing a woman and her husband, with a mother's cross around her neck. The reverse has a caption, and we are pretty sure we can make out Mutterkreuz in München 1940 (Mother's Cross in Munich 1940), so we assume this is from when she was given the award. Definitely some great research potential here!

Comes ready to display!

The Ehrenkreuz der Deutschen Mutter (Cross of Honour of the German Mother), referred to colloquially as the Mutterehrenkreuz (Mother’s Cross of Honor) or simply Mutterkreuz (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 Volksdeutsche (ethnic German) mothers from, for example, Austria and Sudetenland, that had earlier been incorporated into the German Reich.

The 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 Médaille de la Famille française (Medal of the French Family), a tribute to the French mother who raised several children in an appropriate way.

In 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:

As a visible sign of gratitude of the German nation to children-rich mothers I establish this Cross of Honor of the German Mother

The 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.

The 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.

Classes
-1st class, Gold Cross: eligible mothers with eight or more children
-2nd class, Silver Cross: eligible mothers with six or seven children
-3rd class, Bronze Cross: eligible mothers with four or five children