Original German WWII Cased Gold Mother’s Cross by B.H. Mayer of Pforzheim with Period Portrait Photo Postcard

Original Items: Only One set Available. This is a wonderful 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!). The case is maker marked with B. H. Mayer Pforzheim, also known as B.H. Mayer's Kunstprägeanstalt (Art Mint).

It has the correct gold embossed image of the Mother's Cross with a gold swas (Hook cross) on the cover, and the catch on front is still fully functional. There are some small tears and deterioration around the corners of the the leatherette covering, and the covering over the hinge is torn. The lining is in very good shape, except for some tearing over the hinge.

Reverse of medal reads 16 December 1938, which is the date that the award was first established, along with AH's Signature. The condition is very good, and it has the correct ribbon attached to the cross and sewn together. There is just a bit of age toning on the ribbon, and the cross is still bright! The enamel is very well retained, showing only light overall wear.

The award came to us with a lovely period 3 1/4 5 1/4" photo postcard, which has some writing on the back in Kurrentschrift. We were not able to make out much of what is written, but can clearly see the word "Frauenschaft" in the lower right. The front of the card shows a woman with what looks like a brooch from the organization, as well as an NSDAP membership pin.

Comes ready to research and display!

The 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