Germany, Imperial. A Rare 1914 Iron Cross I Class, with Trench ID Art Tag, to a POW in Egypt

(Eisernes Kreuz 1914 I. Klasse mit Grabenkunst Erkennungsmarke). A rare set of badges to a German serviceman in British captivity from 1918-1919, featuring a 1914 Iron Cross I Class, constructed of iron and silver, consisting of a convex 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 a block hinge and vertical pinback meeting a round wire catch, notable bearing a central etched propeller indicating that the owner was in Luftstreitkräfte service, surrounded by an owner’s name of “LT. (LEUTNANT) W.F.”, otherwise unmarked, measuring 42.12 mm (w) x 42.11 mm (h), weighing 15.7 grams, with minor loss of finish to the core, in better than very fine condition; accompanied by a trench identification tag, constructed of aluminum and affixed to a brown leather liner with a strap of identical construction set through the tag, the obverse bearing central raised initials “W.F.”, topped by an inscription of “CAIRO 1918-1918”, above an Ottoman star flanked by an inscription of “P.O.W. 63408” indicating that the owner was likely part of the German expeditionary force assisting the Ottomans and was taken captive by the British during the Sinai and Palestine campaign, the tag measuring 36 mm (w) x 45 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.