Germany, Third Reich. An Exceptional Medal Grouping for World War and Olympic Service to Georg Berthold

(Medaillen). An exceptional medal grouping to Georg Berthold, a non-combatant of both World Wars who also performed meritorious services to the 1936 Berlin Olympics, consisting of: A medal bar featuring five decorations, including:

1. A 1914 Iron Cross II Class for Non-Combatants, constructed of iron and silver, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with a blackened magnetic iron core within a ribbed silver frame, the obverse with a central initial “W”, the six o’clock arm with a reinstitution date of “1914”, the twelve o’clock arm with a royal crown, the reverse with three central oak leaves, the six o’clock arm with an initial institution date of “1813”, the twelve o’clock arm with initials “FW” topped by a royal crown, without visible marks, measuring 43.70 mm (w) x 46.14 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

2. A War Merit Cross II Class, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Maltese Cross with pebbled arms, the obverse bearing a central wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse bearing a central wreathed date of “1939”, without visible marks, measuring 48.23 mm (w) x 49.50 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

3. A Merit Cross for War Aid, constructed of zink, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Maltese Cross with pebbled arms, the obverse bearing a central raised monogram of Kaiser Wilhelm II, the reverse bearing a central raised inscription of “FÜR KRIEGS-HILFSDIENST” (“FOR VOLUNTARY WAR AID”), unmarked, measuring 41.20 mm (w) x 40.30 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

4. A German Olympic Games Decoration, II Class, constructed of gilded bronze with enamels, the obverse consisting of a gilded and ribbed five-pointed star, in turn overlaid by a white enameled five-pointed star, bearing raised and white enameled Olympic rings, topped by a white enameled German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, with feathering and details highlighted in gilt, topped by an integral loop retaining a period original ribbon, the reverse with two visible rivets securing the obverse rings in place, unmarked, measuring 54.47 mm (w) x 66.50 mm (h), demonstrating minor flecking to the enamels, in extremely fine condition.

5. A Civil Service 40-Year Long Service Award, constructed of gilded bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with pebbled arms joined through the quadrants by a circular oak leaf wreath, the obverse bearing a central black enameled swastika, the reverse bearing a central raised inscription of “FÜR TREUE DIENSTE” (“FOR FAITHFUL SERVICE”), unmarked, measuring 41.16 mm (w) x 45.50 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

All suspended from a 145 mm-long zink abr with a horizontal pinback and black wool reverse liner, in extremely fine condition.

Accompanied by a matching ribbon bar, featuring all five decorations affixed to 75 mm-long zink bar with a horizontal pinback and black wool reverse liner, the reverse retaining a fully-intact maker’s label reading “GRABOW & MATTHES, KIEL”, in extremely fine condition.

Also accompanied by a miniature medal chain for formal wear, featuring all five decorations constructed of gilded and gilded bronze with enamels, suspended from a 90 mm-long gilded bronze chain completing at each end with a needle, unmarked, in extremely fine condition.

Concluding with a boutonniere featuring four of Berthold’s decorations, including the 1914 Iron Cross II Class for Non-Combatants, the Merit Cross for War Aid, the German Olympic Decoration II Class, and the Civil Service 40-Year Long Service Award, the absence of the War Merit Cross II Class indicating pre-war or early wartime assembly, unmarked, in extremely fine condition.

Supplemented with two facsimile documents named to Berthold, including the award document for the German Olympic Decoration II Class and a letter from Reich Postal Minister Wilhelm Ohnensorge informing Berthold of his receipt of the distinction.