Unidentified a rarity from the exclave of east prussia and danzig

[Eric Stahlhut]

here's something that i'd wager quite a few fellow members have never seen nor heard of before. i have very little information on it, so any help would be greatly appreciated. i vaguely recall a thread by rick lundstrom (the master of all things arcane and interesting) that touched upon this organization many years back, but am currently unable to locate it.

it's an extremely vaulted johanniter-style cross awarded by the A.O.R. (arbeitsgemeinschaft ostpreussische regiments??), a large, well made item at 53mm, 26 gr.

period repairs to the enamel are evident

obverse script reads, " for services in east prussia and danzig during difficult post-war years"

the history of this area during the immediate postwar years is infinitely fascinating, and precludes the rise of the freikorps, followed by the rise of national socialism in germany.

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2014/post-4736-0-65978400-1393353100.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2014/post-4736-0-14024800-1393353117.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2014/post-4736-0-04327900-1393353143.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2014/post-4736-0-20472000-1393353174.jpg

Edited February 25, 2014 by Eric Stahlhut

[dante]

Nice piece Eric, not seen before, thanks for showing

[Stuka f]

Very niece and intresting piece, indeed!

|<ris

[Chris Boonzaier]

Looks to be fantastic quality, I have never seen one before...

[Eric Stahlhut]

tbt! 

[bolewts58]

That's the Tannenberg Denkmal in black on the obverse. AOR is the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Ostpreußische Regimentsvereine or Workers Union of East Prussian Regiments Associations. Hindenburg was the president and I remember reading somewhere that it was founded in 1927.

Edited February 27, 2015 by bolewts58

[Eric Stahlhut]

brian, i don't know if "worker's union" is the correct interpretation in this particular instance. given the context, "association" or "council" are probably more applicable in this case, given the very class-conscious prussian officer's mindset. it's a pretty fancy piece that must have cost a bit more than the average worker's union would have been willing to dish out. just my guess, mind you

 

Edited April 9, 2016 by Eric Stahlhut
typo

[bolewts58]

Yes. I agree that council is likely a good translation. A rather beat up cross is currently for sale on eBay for 499 EUR.  I think the cross is quite scarce actually.