Germany - Federal Republic of: Order of Merit of the Federal Republic, Grand Cross set, comprising breast star and sash badge, silver-gilt and enamels, complete with full length of sash ribbon, together with small ribbon boutonniere lapel device for the 1st Class insignia of the Grand Cross, and housed in its fitted presentation case by Steinhauer & Luck of Ludenscheid. Attributed to Dr Carl Bobleter, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs at the Federal Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Austria.
Condition: enamel work excellent, overall Extremely Fine.
Provenance: acquired from a member of the recipient’s family.
Dr Carl Heinz Bobleter, was a prominent Austrian Diplomat, who held various ambassadorial roles during the 1950s-1970s, and in a position that specifically represented Austria’s interest in international economic matters, he was the Ambassador of Austria to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development between 1958 and 1964. He was later State Secretary at the Foreign Ministry and the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs at the Federal Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Austria, notably speaking at the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) in April 1967.
Grand Cross breast star in silver-gilt with red and black enamels, consisting of a diamond-shaped ray motif bearing a central Cross Pattée with red enamelled arms and a golden roundel in the middle bearing a Federal Republic-style black enamelled National Eagle with open wings, the reverse plain, with a barrel hinge, fluted vertical pin with St. & L. (For Steinhaur & Luck) impressed maker’s mark additionally marked “800” for silver content, with broad wire catch, measuring 85.0 mm (w) x 83 mm (l), weighing 64.15 grams.
Sash badge in gilded bronze alloy, consisting of a Cross Pattée with red enamelled arms on both sides, and a golden double-sided roundel in the middle bearing a Federal Republic-style black enamelled National Eagle with open wings on both sides, on a fan and loop for suspension from its period original multi-coloured sash ribbon, measuring 60.8 mm (w) x 61.0 mm (l), weighing 37.14 grams. Attached to full ribbon sash for wearing.
Contained in the original case of issue, a blue leatherette exterior with German Federal Eagle insignia on the lid, interior silk lid marked with identical Federal Eagle insignia, with partial medal bed and ribbon compartment, complete with a small ribbon boutonniere denoting I Class.
The Order is the highest honour that the Federal Republic of Germany bestows and was instituted by President Theodor Heuss on 7 September 1951, second anniversary of the founding of the Federal Republic, ‘with the desire to create a visible expression of recognition and thanks for meritorious men and women of the German people and from abroad for service in the fields of politics, socio-economics and intellectual work and for service in rebuilding the fatherland, and, as an award intended for all, for contributions to enhancing Germany’s reputation abroad’.
