A German Mothers Cross; 1st Class with Award Document

21.5 x 30.3 cm. Case: 4.9 x 11 cm. Cross: 3.4 x 4.1 cm. Miniature: 1.6 x 2 cm; Date of items: 1939; Condition: very good, some signs of aging. An “Ehrenkreuz der Deutschen Mutter erster Stufe” (Cross of Honour of the German Mother 1st Class), awarded to Henriette Rappmund, nee Räuber, from Königslutter, complete with case, miniature, and framed certificate. Commonly known as “Mother’s Cross”, this award was awarded in three classes: bronze, for giving birth to at least 4 children, silver, for giving birth to at least 6 children, and gold, for giving birth to at least 8 children. Aside from that, a strict bureaucratic process investigated several other criteria that had to be met for eligibility: both parents of the children had to be “deutschblütig” (of German blood-heredity) and “erbtüchtig” (genetically-fit); the mother had to be “worthy”, as in honourable and of reputable moral standing; the children had to be live births. It came with several benefits and privileges, like preferential treatment in society. The award was part of Nazi Germany’s ideal of women, providing their motherly duties to the next generation and replenishing the Aryan race. It was a direct reaction to the women’s movement to gain more freedom and equality during the Weimar Republic’s “Golden 20s” that saw young women breaking with traditional values. The Cross is an elongated version of the Iron Cross in blue with white outlining. In the center lies a black swastika on white ground, encircled by the words “Der Deutschen Mutter” (To the German Mother) in gold, with golden radiant rays around it. It hangs from a blue and white ribbon and was worn from the neck. On the reverse it states the date of the decoration decree, Dec 16th, 1938, and carries Hitler’s facsimile. It comes with a miniature version that was an optional supplement and could be purchased privately. It was authorized for general everyday wear only. Both crosses are housed in a dark-blue presentation case that on the inside carries the name of the manufacturer: B. H. Mayer, Pforzheim. On the lid, the case features a simplified all-golden version of the Mother’s Cross. The certificate is dated “Berlin, May 21st, 1939”. It carries Hitler’s facsimile and that of the head of the president’s office, Otto Meissner. In the bottom left corner is a stamp showing an imperial eagle inside a wreath of oak leaves, standing on a second wreath with a swastika inside.