Austria, Imperial. An 1849 Merit Cross, I Class, By Wilhelm Kunz Auction Archive In March of 1936

In March of 1936

7 mm x 47 mm)

stating: “Christoph Freiherr (Baron) von Pittel

Only 83 awarded since being instituted in 1993

The letter has no recipient’s name and carries a facsimile of Himmler’s signature

Austria, Imperial. An 1849 Merit Cross, I Class, By Wilhelm Kunz Auction Archive In March of 1936(Verdienstkreuz). Instituted on 2 December 1849. Type III. (1914 1918 Issue). A cross constructed of gilded bronze, with red enamelled arms, the obverse centre presents a gilded medallion inscribed FJ for FRANZ JOSEPH, over a field of white enamel, surrounded by a gilt ring, and an ornately decorated white enamelled ring bearing the inscription VIRIBUS UNITIS (STAND UNITED), the reverse centre presents a similar medallion, presenting the date 1849,