OK,
taking into account all the info above.
I am offering a reward of 50 USD to anyone who can produce a copy/photo/scan (or simply proof) of a Kaisers HQ version of an EK doc to anyone earlier than 1916.
Using the D Niemann Prussian doc book, page 320 has the same kinda deal... very high ranking officers, getting awards from the Militär-Kabinett Chef were informed the Kaiser had approved their award... basta.
There is a document on page 325... but this is a preliminary Ausweis (i.e. also no official certificate) and 15 months later, when the awarding of printed documents was in full swing...
As we know the Kaiser had intended to eventually issue official docs, and this was only changed in 1918... we can assume that Pelkmann's letter, like Pawlowskis letter on page 320... were "it" for them.
There simply was not a high enough authority issuing documents to cover an award like Pelkmann's at the time when he received it, he would have to have a lower unit issue him his document... and why bother when you have a letter from the Kabinetts.
Anyway, USD50 for anyone who can prove (or convince me) that Pelkmanns letter was anything less than his "award doc"...
Best
Chris