Spain, Francoist Era. Falange Membership Badge in Gold, Attributed to Minister of External Affairs Ramón Serrano Suñer

In 18K Gold, weighing 2.1 grams, exhibiting fine detailed engraving, measuring 13.5 mm (w) x 17.5 mm (h), button hole attachment, light contact, near extremely fine. In its hardshelled case of issue, fur-like textured exterior, maker marked on the light blue satin inside lid, black felt medal bed with a raised presentation tab, case also near extremely fine. Accompanied by an Introduction Card (inscribed "Ramón Serrano Suñer / Ministro de Asuntos Exteriores" (Minister of External Affairs), embossed and printed in black ink, on a cream-coloured card stock, measuring 102 mm (w) x 60 mm (h)) and a Pocket Calendar for 1942 (faded owner's name on page 3, with a picture of Minister of External Affairs Ramón Serrano Suñer shaking hands with Nazi German Minister of Foreign Affairs Joachim von Ribbentrop appearing on the photo insert page facing page 33, printed in black ink, with 158 pages along with 10 pages of photo inserts plus cover, measuring 75 mm (w) x 108 mm (h) x 11 mm (d)).

Footnote: Ramón Serrano Suñer (September 12, 1901 - September 1, 2003) was a Spanish politician during the first stages of the Francoist dictatorship, between 1938 and 1942, when he held the posts of President of the FET y de las JONS caucus (1936), and then Interior Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister. A neo-falangist originally from the CEDA, Serrano Suñer came to embody the most totalitarian impetus within the regime. Serrano Suñer was known for his pro-Third Reich stance during the Second World War, when he supported the sending of the Blue Division to fight along with the Wehrmacht on the Russian front. He was also the brother-in-law of the Spanish caudillo General Franco's wife Carmen Polo, for which he was nicknamed Cuñadísimo. (Franco himself was, officially, the generalísimo.) Serrano Suñer was the founder of the 67,000-strong Spanish blind people's organization ONCE on December 13, 1938, as well as of the EFE press-agency, in 1939. Serrano Suñer also founded the Radio Intercontinental radio network in 1950.