Pre WW1 Prussia Order of Louise 1813-14 Issue First Class Medal

For sale is a extremely rare The Order of Louise (or Luisen-Orden in German) was founded on 3 August 1814 by Frederick William III of Prussia to honor his late wife, the beloved Queen Louise. It was intended strictly for women whose service to Prussia was worthy of such high national recognition. Its dame companion members were limited to 100 in number, and were intended to be drawn from all classes.

        The final photograph shows three of the recipients wearing the order of Louise. From left to right :       1. Kaiserin Augusta, wearing the Prussian state regalia, and the Order of Louise (on her left shoulder). Portrait by Franz Xavier Winterhalter, ca. 1861.     2. Luise, Prinzessin von Preußen, Grand Duchess of Baden, wearing the Order of Louise. Portrait by Franz Xavier Winterhalter, ca. 1856     3. Maria, Prinzessin von Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, Duchess of Flanders, wearing the Order of Louise       The Chief of the Order of Louise was the reigning queen. Daughters in the royal family were invested with this order in lieu of the Order of the Black Eagle, Order of the Red Eagle Grand Cross, Prussian Crown Order First Class, and Royal House Order of Hohenzollern that were reserved for the sons.       The Order of Louise was renewed with each successive monarch. At its initial creation in 1814, the Order was only available in one class. A second class was added during the reign of Wilhelm I.       The Royal Prussian Louisenorden (also: Luisenorden) was the highest lady's order of the Kingdom of Prussia and was founded on the 3rd August 1814 during the freedom wars against Napoleon I donated by King Friedrich Wilhelm III in memory of his wife Queen Luise, who died in 1810.       The foundation certificate states:       When the men of our brave armies bled for the fatherland, they found labsal and relief in the nurturing care of the women. Faith and hope gave the mothers and daughters of our country the strength to satisfy the concern for theirs who fought with the enemy and the pain for the lost through persevering activity for the cause of the fatherland and their essential aid for the great cause were not missed anywhere."     The order was renewed in 1850 under King Friedrich Wilhelm IV, in 1865 under Wilhelm I and 1890 under Wilhelm II.       On the 30th October 1865, King Wilhelm I created the second division of the Order, which was divided into two classes and had smaller, non-enamelled crosses.       The medal of the originally one-class Louis Order is a black enameled gold cross. In the obverse middle medallion, which was enamelled sky blue, there is the monogram L within a wreath of stars. The reverse of the first model shows the years 1813 - 1814 and after the revolution of 1848 the numbers 1848 - 1849. This second model was only available from 1850 awarded.       The order was worn in a bow made of white ribbon with black edges on the left chest. Non-Christian bearers received a golden medal instead of the cross with the same center medallion as in the verse of the cross.       The Jew Amalie Beer received a modified version of the order out of consideration for her religious feelings.       The number of borrowers who had to have Prussian citizenship was limited to 100.For individual bearers of this order, see Carrier of the Louisen Order.       The text of the original royal proclamation that created the Order roughly translates as follows:       When the men of our brave armies bled for the homeland, you found relief in the maintaining care of the women. Faith and hope gave the mothers and daughters of the country the power… for the grand purpose (of the nation). It is impossible to honor or (decorate them enough) for what they have accomplished; but We find it justified to lend them an honor, whose (contributions) are especially acknowledged. We decree therefore hereby following:       1. The honor shall bear the meaningful name:       L u i s e n - O r d e n       Establish that we with this, a small, black-enameled golden cross. The (center medallion) on both sides will be of sky blue enamel; with the letter “L” (on the obverse), surrounded by a wreath of (seven) stars; and on the (reverse) the year “1813/1814”.       2. This order is worn (suspended from) a bow of the white ribbon of the Iron Cross (and shall be worn) on the left breast.       3. The award (will be bestowed) without consideration of social position or rank; however only such persons can receive it, are, who belong to the homeland through birth or marriage, or otherwise nationalized (citizens).       4. The number (of members) is restricted to one hundred.       5. To its selection let's decree hereby a Capitel, which, under the chair of the woman princess Wilhelm Königl. Highness, out of four women …       6. The Capitel will consider candidates, of the feminine sex, from all provinces of the nation, carefully test their credentials, out of which they will decide the worthiest, select up to the available / vacant number (of memberships) and indicate them to Us (the king and emperor) confirmation being specifically reserved for Us. The bestowal / conferral of the award results then, after Our confirmation, under the signature of the Princess Wilhelm Königl. Highness.       7. We hereby order the management of the membership to the (wife of) field marshal count v. d. Gröben.       8. Regarding the loss of the order: We will decide, after considering the expert opinions of the Capitels Allerhöchstselbst, if removal / expulsion should occur, … given general directions, the loss of the order and medal will follow.       All together there were a total of 104 Order of Louise 1813 - 1814 1st class medals issued. Fortunately these records were detailed and kept preserved, the following 104 names were awarded this grand medal:       Grand Duchess Alexandra Nikolaevna of Russia     Alexandra of Denmark     Princess Alexandra of Hanover (born 1882)     Princess Alexandrine of Baden     Alexandrine of Mecklenburg-Schwerin     Princess Alexandrine of Prussia (1842–1906)     Princess Alexandrine of Prussia (1803–1892)     Princess Alexandrine of Prussia (1915–1980)     Princess Alice of the United Kingdom     Amalie Auguste of Bavaria     Amélie of Leuchtenberg     Grand Duchess Anastasia Mikhailovna of Russia     Princess Anna of Prussia     Infanta Antónia of Portugal     Princess Irene, Duchess of Aosta     Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll     Augusta of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach     Augusta Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein     Princess Caroline Reuss of Greiz     Duchess Cecilie of Mecklenburg-Schwerin     Alexandra Feodorovna (Alix of Hesse)     Alexandra Feodorovna (Charlotte of Prussia)     Princess Charlotte of Prussia     Elisabeth Ludovika of Bavaria     Elisabeth of Wied     Princess Elisabeth of Prussia     Emma of Waldeck and Pyrmont     Princess Feodora of Saxe-Meiningen     Frederica of Hanover     Frederica of Mecklenburg-Strelitz     Princess Frederica of Prussia (1796–1850)     Princess Helena of the United Kingdom     Hermine Reuss of Greiz     Countess Ina Marie von Bassewitz     Princess Irene of Hesse and by Rhine     Princess Joséphine Caroline of Belgium     Princess Josephine of Baden     Juliana of the Netherlands     Princess Katherine of Greece and Denmark     Grand Duchess Kira Kirillovna of Russia     Princess Kira of Prussia     Princess Louise Margaret of Prussia     Princess Louise of Prussia     Louise of Sweden     Louise of the Netherlands     Princess Louise Sophie of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg     Princess Ludovika of Bavaria     Princess Luise of Anhalt-Bernburg     Princess Magdalena Reuss of Köstritz     Princess Margaret of Prussia     Princess Maria Anna of Anhalt-Dessau     Maria Anna of Bavaria (born 1805)     Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna of Russia (1819–1876)     Princess Maria Teresa of Bourbon-Two Sicilies (1867–1909)     Princess Marianne of the Netherlands     Duchess Marie Louise of Mecklenburg-Schwerin     Duchess Marie of Mecklenburg-Schwerin     Marie of Prussia     Princess Marie Alexandrine of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach     Princess Marie of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach (1808–1877)     Mary of Teck     Princess Pauline of Waldeck and Pyrmont     Princess Elisabeth of Saxe-Altenburg (1826–1896)     Princess Friederike of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg     Empress Shoken     Princess Sophie of Bavaria     Princess Sophie of Sweden     Princess Sophie of the Netherlands     Princess Victoria Louise of Prussia     Princess Victoria Margaret of Prussia     Princess Victoria Melita of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha     Victoria, Princess Royal     Queen Victoria     Princess Viktoria of Prussia     Princess Antonia, Duchess of Wellington     Wilhelmina of the Netherlands     Princess Wilhelmine, Duchess of Sagan         The measurements are as followed:     Attachment ring diameter: 12.9mm Attachment ring thickness: 1.2mm Medal length: 33.0mm Medal depth (not centre): 1.8mm Medal height not including ring: 37.0mm Medal height including ring: 47.3mm Medal centre diameter: 15.4mm Medal centre thickness: 5.0mm Medal & ring weight: 15.14 grams   The last original one of these medals sold at auction for $5000 USD (£4127 gbp) on emedals. Unfortunately this medal in the listing is missing its white and black ribbon.     Guaranteed original or money back. This will be sent via Royal Mail special delivery, insured and dispatched within two to three working day’s. Also happy to post world wide.