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RARE WWI CASED GOLD PRUSSIAN MILITARY MERIT CROSS

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,250.00 USD Estimated At:2,500.00 - 3,500.00 USD
RARE WWI CASED GOLD PRUSSIAN MILITARY MERIT CROSS

& RELATED PHOTO ALBUM OF WWI FLYER BOLESALV BLANK.
1) GOLD MERIT CROSS. A very rare example of the Prussian Gold Military Merit Cross, also referred to as the Pour-le-Merite for enlisted personnel. Medal is silver gilt with a royal cypher on the front & the words, “KRIEGS VERDIENST” above a swag on the reverse. The very bottom of the medal is marked, “1G u.S 938”. The medal is housed in its original leather covered case with gold royal cypher on the top. Case has a form fitted, red velvet interior to house the medal & a cream colored silk pillow in the lid. Original black & white ribbon is included in the case. For an enlisted soldier of the Prussian Army, this was the highest attainable bravery award. There were only 1,350 Gold Merit Crosses awarded during WWI. CONDITION: medal shows very light wear. Ribbon also shows light use. Case has scattered scuffs & scrapes but remains substantially solid.
2) PHOTO ALBUM. This album belonged to Vizefeldwebel Boleslav Blank who flew over 300 flights against the enemy in his FA A210 biplane. He was awarded the Gold Prussian Military Merit Cross for his bravery. The cover of the photo album has exceptional drawings of both the front & the back of the Merit Cross, as well as Blank’s biplane. The cover reads, “300 Feindfluge FA A210 Vizefeldwebel Boleslav Blank 29. Marz 1918”. Album contains 74 photographs of Vice Sergeant Blank & his plane along with photos taken from the air of other planes & the countryside. There are many photos of crashed planes as well as soldiers & field scenes. Blank was killed in 1919 during a border skirmish with Polish troops. CONDITION: photos remain crisp & clear. Artwork on album is bright & well rendered. Album shows light wear with minor warping to covers. PROVENANCE: Lifetime Collection of Dennis Ottaway. (02-16012-2/BF). $2,500-3,500.