Bidspirit auction | ORDER BLACK EAGLE CLOTH BADGE

ORDER BLACK EAGLE CLOTH BADGE fr. MUSEUM - RARE ORDER of the BLACK EAGLE CLOTH BADGE from MUSEUM Very Rare Embroidered version of the Prussian Order of the Black Eagle, ca. 1870. This beautiful relic, bears rays of thin silver strips which meet silver rings and a twisted silver strip at the circular center emblem. Braided silver metal and yellow cloth threads form the backing upon which the motto of the Order ('Suum Cuique'-literally 'To each his own', but idiomatically 'To each according to his merits'), is applied, again made of a very thin strip of silver. A yellow, green and red embroidered wreath appears at bottom. At the center of the badge appears a black eagle with crown which grips a wreath of laurels in its left claw and a scepter in its right. The reverse is faced in heavy white paper which remains approximately 90% intact with loss primarily at the ends of several rays. Hand written in pencil at the reverse of the central medallion is what appears to be, 'Plah.'. To the lower right, at the 4 oclock position is an old museum acquisition number which reads, 'H-1-4/132/EMB'. We believe this insignia to date from around the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871. It is an extremely scarce and attractive badge that remains in excellent condition. The Black Eagle was the highest order of chivalry in the Kingdom of Prussia and was awarded only 407 times The order was founded on 17 January 1701 by the future Friedrich I, King in Prussia. In his Dutch exile after World War I, deposed Emperor Wilhelm II continued to award the order to his family. Some of the recipients of this award include George IV, Nicholas II, Emperor Meiji, Otto von Bismarck, Gebhard von Blucher, Paul von Hindenburg, Helmuth von Miltke, Alfred von Schliefen, Alexander Suvorov , and many others. Please note: last image is for sample only. CONDITION : The item is described to the best of our knowledge. Please refer to pictures and email with any questions. SIZE : 5 x 5 inches. ESTIMATE PRICE : $4000 - $5000. HISTORY of SALES : Recently the same order sold for $4450 - please see the screenshot. OFFER : If an item is NOT SOLD, you can still give us a reasonable offer - please save the link of this page. PAYMENT : Credit Card payment, Wire transfer, Check or Money Order payment are also available. International bidder can use PayPal for payment. PAY in PARTS : You can pay for any item during 2-3 months. Just make a deposit 10% and the item will wait for you. SHIPPING : Let us Handle Your Shipping. We are one of the few places that offer full service shipping. For your convenience we will ship your item - shipping costs will be included in the invoice. Combined shipping is available - next item will be ONE DOLLAR for shipping. NEW : Returning customer will have FREE SHIPPING in USA and 50% DISCOUNT on international shipping. WIKIPEDIA : The Order of the Black Eagle (German: Hoher Orden vom Schwarzen Adler) was the highest order of chivalry in the Kingdom of Prussia. The order was founded on 17 January 1701 by Elector Friedrich III of Brandenburg (who became Friedrich I, King in Prussia, the following day). In his Dutch exile after World War I, deposed Emperor Wilhelm II continued to award the order to his family. He made his second wife, Princess Hermine Reuss of Greiz, a Lady in the Order of the Black Eagle. The statutes of the order were published on 18 January 1701, and revised in 1847. Membership in the Order of the Black Eagle was limited to a small number of knights, and was divided into two classes: members of reigning houses (further divided into members of the House of Hohenzollern and members of other houses, both German and foreign) and capitular knights. Before 1847, membership was limited to nobles, but after that date, capitular knights who were not nobles were raised to the nobility (Adelsstand). Capitular knights were generally high-ranking government officials or military officers. The Order of the Black Eagle had only one class, but could also be awarded at the king's prerogative 'with the Chain' ('mit der Kette') or without ('ohne Kette'). By statute, members of the order also held the Grand Cross of the Order of the Red Eagle, and wore the badge of that order from a ribbon around the neck. From 1862, members of the Prussian royal house, upon award of the Order of the Black Eagle, also received the Prussian Crown Order 1st Class.