THE RUSSIAN 25 YEAR COMMEMORATIVE CROSS FOR PRUSSIANS by Dan W. Ragsdale

There exists in a very few collections today a cross which at first appears to be the Russian Saint George Cross in silver. This assumption, however, is in error.

The Cross of which I write is a very special one which was struck at the Saint Petersburg mint about 1825 and given in 1839 to the Prussian Troops who served in the wars of 1813-15.

The actual name of this cross is not known for sure, but it is rela- tively certain that it was not given for personal valor, as the Russian Insignia of Distinction of the Military Order of Saint George was. The above name is supplied by Mr. G. Popoff, a noted Russian collector. The name of the cross is rather clouded. Due to translation difficulties, certain self-appointed European experts, who disagree with this name, in- sist that the proper name should be "Decoration of the Military Order".

At this point I hasten to point out that the cross in question is not the award given for valor, but simply a very rare commemorative cross. This cross is exactly the same on the face as the Insignia of Distinction Cross. The reverse, however, is very* distinct from the I__nn- si~nia of Distinction of the Military Order, which was normally issued during the period 1807 to 1854 in one class, and worn on the ribbon of the Order of Saint George the Martyr. It is worthy also to mention that many Prussian Soldiers received this distinction, for personal valor.

The "Saint George Commemorative Cross", as I shall call it, had a distinctive reverse in that the normally smooth upper arm had a Crowned cypher "~" which represents the Russian Monarch Alexander I during the Napoleonic War. Most of the Crosses examined have a sharp peak on the letter A, but one which had a high serial number had the peak of the A rounded, and other minute design differences.

The second difference was that on the left arm (reverse) there was the letter "N" and on the right arm there was the serial number. In the case of serial numbers over three digits, the thousand numeral appeared with the "N" in the left arm.

In all other respects this cross would resemble any other of that era -- 1807-54 ....

I have personally examined several of these crosses in American eol- lections. It is well known to the many veteran collectors of Russian and Prussian material that this piece is very scarce. One authority states that there were an estimated 3100 crosses struck and awarded, but the serial numbers of those examined are:

I! N 59 N 601

~ii N V3 N V59 N 332 N4061

Therefore, one would assume that this authority is somewhat misled. The fact remains, however, that of the three to four thousand crosses actual- ly awarded to the Prussian veterans, less than a score remain -- or are known today.

It is thought that this cross was worn on the Saint George ribbon, but this~ fact is not absolutely certain.

In the event you lack this piece in your collection, be patient, for some fabricator of rarities will undoubtedly have a "guaranteed genuine item’ ±or you soon.

Source s-

A., ork, umismatic Notes Klietmann, K., 1966, Berlin Authoritative Personal Correspondence. Lynch, J., 1963, Sayre, Pa. 0strum E., 1965, Kingsburg, Calif. Popoff, G., 1951, "The Medal Collector", vol. 2, No. 4.

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Popoff, G. 1965"66. Personal Guidance. Monterey, California.

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Left: Center: Right:

The Russian 25 yr. Commemorative Cross, Rev. A French-made Replacement Cross, 0by. The Russian Insignia of Distinction Cross of the 0. of St. George, Rev. 1854-1917.

35

INSTITUTE OF HERALDRY HELPS DEVELOP ESPRIT Dates from World "War I by Dick Ritter

(The following article was submitted by Capt. Robert J. Lehmacher from the 18 Jan. 1967 issue of "Army Times". Since the Institute of Heraldry plays such an important part in U.S. medal design, etc., readers of our journal should find it quite interesting. - Ed.)

When you can make a bumble bee change its expression from startled to determined, you’re a magician or an artist. PerhaPs a little of both~ if you work for the Army Institute of Heraldry at Cameron Station, Va. This small and highly skilled unit, steeped in tradition of its art and that of the military, helps to instill a dash of esprit de corps in both the military and civilian departments of government. The institute was established during World War I after the U.S. government discovered that its decorations compared rather unfavorably in design and quality with those of foreign countries.

President Woodrow Wilson ordered the Commission of Fine Arts to ad- vise the fledgling heraldry institute on designs. This practice is still followed when making decisions on major decorations, seals and medals. Dr. David Finley, former chairman of the Fine Arts Commission and aide to philantropist Andrew Mellon, offered expert advice when the Institute de- signed medals for the military services.

On the majority of designs, the skilled artists and sculptors are able to work within broadly established guidelines. These guidelines are often based on careful research of events and artwork dating back into the Middle Ages and the famed Crusades.

Or the design may be buttressed by only a few decades of history. Take that bumble bee. The hard-working Navy Seabees of World War II a- dopted a "determined looking" bumble bee, toting tools and machine guns as its official mascot.

When the approved design was translated into sculpture, the poor bee lost a little determination and appeared to be slightly startled. Now this would never be appropriate for the legendary Seabees who often worked under gunfire. Recently the Institute was commissioned to put that determined scowl back on the bumble bee in preparation for the 25th anniversary of the Seabees and the 100th of the Navy Civil Engineers Corps.

The job was another accomplishment of Lewis J. King, chief of the sculpture and exhibits division, who is as equally at ease with musicians and artists. A graduate of the School of Industrial Art in Philadelphia, with advanced study at Corcoran gallery in Washington, King studied the violin and drums. Later he combined his talents by hand painting neck- ties, with technically accurate notes and instruments, for musicians in New Jersey, with names like Sinatra, Lionel Hampton, Tony Pastor, Buddy Rich and others.

While the Institute is chiefly civilian operated, it is commanded by Col. Edward V. Hendren, Jr., who returned from Panama last September. Formerly the deputy directorate of administrative services at the Penta- gon, he is beginning his 12th year of duty in Washington.

Called the "last complete functional program in government", the heraldry office is a responsibility of The Adjutant General’s Office. The institute was created in 1960 after being an Army function since World War I.

This service agency not only develops heraldic items upon request of the military services, but it deals directly with independent agencies. Through the State Department, the institute has served as a valuable source of reference and assistance to new countries in preparing paint- ings, flags and other heraldic items for official use.

The art of heraldry originates back in the Middle Ages. Signs and symbols were not only the mark of brave knight saving fair maiden, but they had a very utilitarian function.