Meet Prussian Major von Rheinbaben

[Claudio]

Dear forumites,

Stephan was so nice that he sent me some scans of his ancestor's documents and most importantly a picture!

I want to thank him for sharing them to us... Of course I would terribly appreciate any valuable comments to the scan I am going to post.

Thanks again Stephan!

Here's the first image... a portrait of Viktor von Rheinbaben wearing some sort of court parade dress (help!) and his medal bar... difficult to distinguish, but it might be the very medal bar I am so fortunate to own in my collection.

[Claudio]

A very elaborate and decorative document for the Königgrätz Erinnerungskreuz (1866)... Beautiful!

[Claudio]

The also quite decorative and beautiful document for the Düppeler Sturm-Kreuz für Combattanten... :love:

[Claudio]

Now it gets more interesting... this decoration mentioned in this document is (unfortunately) not on v.Rheinbaben medal bar, but, if I read correctly - I still have some problems with Sütterlin script -, is the Roter Adler Orden 3. Klasse mit der Schleife und Schwerter am Ring!!!! Quite rare to say the least... according to the very informative Andreas website (see http://www.medalnet.net/Rote_Adler_3.htm) this class has been bestowed only 15 times!!!! :speechless1:

[Claudio]

The less exciting but still very nice document for the Kronen-Orden 3. Klasse...

[Claudio]

The document for the Kronen-Orden 2. Klasse... ;)

[Claudio]

...and last but not least the document for the Long Service cross for 25 years (DA für 25 Dienstjahre, Offiziere)...

[saschaw]

Na, wie klein die Welt doch (geworden) ist. Freut mich!

the Roter Adler Orden 3. Klasse mit der Schleife und Schwerter am Ring!!!! Quite rare to say the least... according to the very informative Andreas website (see http://www.medalnet.net/Rote_Adler_3.htm) this class has been bestowed only 15 times!!!!

Claudio, wrong era! In the time we're talking about 841 awards of this class. Still rare... and very nice.

:catjava:

[Claudio]

Whoops... I see now! I was to much excited about that I guess... but still I would like to know how much would fetch nowaday a RAO3SchleifemitXamRing... any era! :speechless1:

[arb]

Anyone else notice who signed the document awarding the 25 year long service cross? Sure looks like GFM Helmuth Gr. von Moltke, Chief of the General staff himself put pen to paper for this one.

Andy

Edited September 24, 2009 by arb

[Heyday]

The uniform Viktor wears is the uniform of a "königlichen Kämmerer", I have the document (Bestallung) from Wilhelm II from the year 1898.

[Claudio]

I found a photo of Viktor when he saw service right in the beginning of the German unification war (1864) against the Danes …

http://www.museen-nord.de/Objekt/DE-MUS-076111/lido/P8-R-141

Viktor Freiherr von Rheinbaben,
geb. 8.8.1844 in Petkus, gest. 28.4.1919 in Sandfort
1864 Leutnant im 3. Garderegiment zu Fuß.
Handschriftlicher Text auf der Rückseite:
Freiherr von Rheinbaben
Seconde Lieutenant im 3. Garde Regiment zu Fuß,
nahm bei der 2. Kompagnie am Feldzuge 1864 teil.
Eigentum des Generalmajors S. von Carlowitz
Berlin, N. W. Alt Moabit 116."
(1 Rheinbaben, Viktor Freiherr von)

[VtwinVince]

This just gets better and better. Great group of documents. Notice that he is referred to as a Rittergutsbesitzer und Kammerherr on the RAO3mdSuSaR document.

[scottplen]

Wow !