1939 German Mother’s Cross Award Document – Adolf Hitler Facsimile Signature

Description

Original German Third Reich award Hitler facsimil certificate for the Ehrenkreuz der Deutschen Mutter, Dritte Stufe, commonly known as the German Mother’s Cross in Bronze, issued in Berlin on 21 May 1939.

The document was awarded to:

Babette Koch
geb. Ott
Vorbach

and formally records the award of the:

“die dritte Stufe des Ehrenkreuzes der Deutschen Mutter”

or Third Class of the Cross of Honour of the German Mother.

One of the most important collector features of this document is the official period facsimile signature of Adolf Hitler, positioned beneath the printed designation:

“Der Führer und Reichskanzler.”

This is an official facsimile signature used on period award documentation and must not be confused with a personally handwritten Adolf Hitler autograph. Nevertheless, the presence of Hitler’s facsimile signature is one of the strongest visual and historical elements of these original award certificates and considerably increases their appeal for collectors of German WWII and Third Reich documentation.

The certificate is dated Berlin, 21 May 1939, making it an especially early example connected with the introduction and first period of presentation of the Mother’s Cross.

The Ehrenkreuz der Deutschen Mutter had been instituted in December 1938 and was awarded in three grades according to the number of children in a family. The Third Class, generally associated with the bronze grade, was awarded to mothers meeting the requirements for the initial level of the decoration.

The document retains its distinctive period Gothic typography and formal wording beginning:

“Im Namen des Deutschen Volkes verleihe ich…”

followed by the recipient’s personal details and the specific class of the award.

At the lower section is the Adolf Hitler facsimile signature and an additional large handwritten countersignature which appears to read “Meissner.” The latter is described cautiously unless independently authenticated as the signature of a specific historical official.

The paper displays considerable genuine age and storage characteristics, including overall toning, scattered spotting, fold lines, surface wear, staining and heavier discoloration particularly toward the lower edge. These features are clearly visible in the photographs and have been retained rather than cosmetically altered.

A faint embossed or blind official eagle and swastika device can also be seen in the lower-left area of the certificate.

The combination of an identifiable recipient, precise date, formal award designation and Hitler facsimile signature makes this an attractive surviving piece of Third Reich civil award documentation.

Particularly suitable for collections focused on German Mother’s Cross documents, Mutterkreuz awards, Adolf Hitler facsimile signatures, Third Reich certificates, German civilian decorations, WWII paperwork and historical German documents.

The photographs show the actual document offered and form an important part of the condition description.

Guaranteed as an original period historical collectible as described.

This artifact is offered strictly for historical collecting, research and educational purposes. Its sale and description do not constitute endorsement or glorification of National Socialist ideology.

Carefully packed for shipment. International shipping available where legally permitted.