Mattyboy Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 Hi all, A question popped into my head and I'm curious to see if anyone has done some research on this - what were amongst the rarest Imperial awards based on the number of recipients and/or the life-span of the decoration? I guess a good example would be the 'Wilhelm-Orden' or the 'Abzeichen für das militärische Gefolge König Wilhelms II von Württemberg'. If anyone has already crunched the numbers i'd be interested in seeing the results. Thanks, Matt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rogi Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 (edited) Probobly an award with 1 recipient (sorry to be so simple) for Yugoslavian Socialist Orders, it is the "Marshal Star"Tito, since he was a Marshal was the only recipient. Well crafted and as expensive looking as it was in quality beautiful piece. Made from gold, platinum, diamonds and rubies :D Edited November 25, 2014 by Rogi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wild Card Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 A little closer to home, we could start with the RAO grand cross with oak leaves, crown, scepter and sword that was awarded to Bismark in 1878. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ÖSTA Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 These two spring to mind. The 1813 Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross - Field Marshal Gebhard von Blücher (only award). The 1914 Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross - Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg (only award). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Boonzaier Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 I would like to add a part two to this.... The rarest award that was awarded to Field Grade officers.... I doubt any of us will ever own a Grand star.... But what about things worn by Company commanders, or at a push regimental commanders... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redeagleorder Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 The Bavarian Militar-sanitats-orden 1st klasse would be a good shout. Only 11 awarded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattyboy Posted November 25, 2014 Author Share Posted November 25, 2014 Some good answers so far. I think that anything under, say 1,000 recipients would qualify as a rare award. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wild Card Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 A little closer to home, we could start with the RAO grand cross with oak leaves, crown, scepter and sword that was awarded to Bismark in 1878. To go along with this, I would propose the very much look-alike one of a kind Johanniter Order Protektordekoration which was awarded in 1888 and the, also one of a kind, Johanniter Order Protektordekoration with the Marian Order cross which was awarded in 1913, both to Kaiser Wilhelm. For something a little less esoteric, how about the Braunschweig Henry the Lion Order 4th class (that’s right 4th class) cross with swords… one awarded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Prussian Posted November 26, 2014 Share Posted November 26, 2014 Hi Matt! Exzellenz v. Knoezer wore the Abzeichen für das militärische Gefolge König Wilhelms II von Württemberg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wild Card Posted November 26, 2014 Share Posted November 26, 2014 Hi Matt! Exzellenz v. Knoezer wore the Abzeichen für das militärische Gefolge König Wilhelms II von Württemberg A better view. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattyboy Posted November 26, 2014 Author Share Posted November 26, 2014 Hi guys, Thanks. I read somewhere that only 35 of these were awarded since its inception. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Komtur Posted November 26, 2014 Share Posted November 26, 2014 Red Eagle Order 2nd class without oak leaves on white ribbon with black stripes: Only once awarded to Prof. August Gärtner on August 18th 1918. As it should be in silver gilded. Regards, Komtur. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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