Original German WWII Mother’s Cross Set in Award Envelopes – (1) Silver and (1) Bronze – Cross of Honor of the German Mother

Original Items: One Set of 2 Available. These are wonderful examples of The Cross of Honor of the German Mother or Mutterkreuz (Mother’s Cross) 1 in Silver (2nd class: eligible mothers with six or seven children) and 1 Bronze (3rd class: eligible mothers with four or five children). Reverse of the medals read 16 December 1938, which is the date that the award was first established, along with AH’s Signature. The bronze award is in excellent condition, with the original ribbon threaded through, which is also in great shape. It comes with the correct light brown paper envelope, which is marked on the front: Ehrenkreuzder Deutſchen MutterDritte Stuſe The last line indicates it is for the “Third Class”. It is maker marked on the reverse by Gebr. Schmidt Oberſtein Nahe, a known maker of the award. The silver award is in very good condition, showing some wear, and comes with an original short ribbon, which shows a bit of age toning and is not installed on the cross. It comes with the correct blue paper envelope, which is marked on the front: Ehrenkreuzder Deutſchen MutterZweite Stuſe The last line indicates it is for the “Second Class”. It is maker marked on the reverse by Peꜩ & Lorenz Metallwarenfabrik Unterreichenbach / Wttbg, a known maker of the award. A lovely set, ready to display! The Cross of Honor 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