Original Item: Only One Available. This very fine example of an Orden Pour le Mérite (PLM) Jeweler Wearer’s copy that dates from the post WW I (1919-1939) period. A wearer’s copy was purchased by a recipient for daily wear and to preserve his period-issued cross. [The latter usually had been personally presented by Kaiser Wilhelm II, as it was Germany’s highest honor and his privilege to bestow]. During WWI, a total of 687 PLM’s were awarded to various officers in the German military and to important men from the Central Powers. The award of a PLM was made to both senior and junior officers. If given to a junior officer, it was for supreme bravery or accomplishments in battle. Senior officers usually received the award for “command” achievements. For example, the Imperial German Air Service offered its first PLM for shooting down eight airplanes. Within a year of the first award, it increased the score to sixteen (the level at which Manfred von Richthofen received his PLM). As the war progressed, the tally was increased to twenty, then thirty, kills late in the war. The Kaiserliche Marine also received their share of PLM awards. Several U-Boot commanders, as well as surface vessel commanders, were awarded PLM’s.

This example of the decoration is a pre-1917 “pie slice” suspension-device variation. Its enamel is a medium-blue, while the gold lettering and crown are hand-chased and stippled. The enamel is quite pleasing, overall, with a couple of barely perceptible flakes to its front. If anything, these small flaws give us a comfort level attesting that the decoration was actually worn. Its manufacturer is Austrian court jeweler Rothe & Neffe. All decorations produced by this firm are of equal quality to (and perhaps even better than) many of their Berlin counterparts. The cross is unmarked, as many were.

Rothe & Neffe PLMs are renowned for their very detailed, hand-worked eagles, with intricately cutout talons and tail feathers. This cross is no exception! Another sign of this example’s extra workmanship is that the all four eagles’ beaks were hand-finished open. Most of the gilt has been worn off the cross over the years, leaving a very pleasing patina overall. We cannot overemphasize the meticulous detailing and hand chasing that has gone into the eagles, as well as the crown’s stippling and the wording on the arms. The well worn, original ribbon bears two silver bands for a first award. It is period issue (NOT a modern replacement) that measures about 18 inches in length.

While Rothe & Neffe’s pieces have been widely copied for their distinctive look and attractive design, a simple comparison shows that this is NOT a modern copy (most of which are spuriously hallmarked with other makers’ names), but a high-quality example with Weimar Period finishes and patina.

When we showed this cross to the author of the “bible” on PLMs, he confirmed that it most probably was one of the desirable between-the-wars crosses. We have priced it very reasonably. It represents a substantial savings over a period-awarded piece, which can now run well in excess of $20,000. Cheaper copies are out on the market, but they do NOT stand up to close scrutiny or exhibit such satisfying details.