ORDER POUR LE MERITE, GOLD with OAK LEAVES and RIBBON, BLUE MAX
Prussia's Pour le Merite dates back to May 8, 1667, with the founding of the 'Ordre de la Generosite' by Friedrich Wilhelm, Elector of Brandenburg (1620-1688). Originally, it was a fairly simple decoration, but by 1685, it had evolved into a sky-blue enamel Maltese cross. The oak leaves were initially established as an additional level for the Red Eagle Order. The same happened with the Pour le Merite on March 10, 1813. This special higher level was reserved for extraordinary achievements, and as a result, the criteria were closely controlled. The award was typically bestowed upon high-ranking field commanders for significant military victories or major contributions to the war effort. The design of the device was in accordance with the wishes of King Friedrich Wilhelm III, in honor of his former wife, Queen Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.
CONDITION: This item is in very good condition considering its age. For further information, please refer to the pictures.
REFERENCEs: Detlev Niemann 'Price Guide. Orders and decorations Germany', 2004, page 413, catalogue price is 4,500 EURO ($6,500 - 18 years ago !!). Also you can see: Lothar Hartung catalogue 'Auszeichnungen des 3. Reiches', spezialkatalog 2005/2006, item 285, page 94, catalogue price is 5,000 EURO ($6,250).
DIMENSIONS: 52 x 53 mm (2 1/8 x 2 /1/8 inches).
ESTIMATED PRICE: $3,000 - $15,000 (significantly lower than today's market price).
HISTORY of SALES: A few years ago, Pour le Merite was sold on Live Auctioneers for $24,000 (NO oak leaves !) and now the same order is sellinng on Internet and estimate for $30,000-$50,000 (also NO oak leaves !) - please refer to the screenshots for details. Today, prices have significantly increased compared to those of 5-10 years ago.
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HISTORY: The Pour le Merite is an order of merit (German: Verdienstorden) established in 1740 by King Frederick II of Prussia. The Pour le Merite was awarded as both a military and civil honour and ranked, along with the Order of the Black Eagle, the Order of the Red Eagle and the House Order of Hohenzollern, among the highest orders of merit in the Kingdom of Prussia. After 1871, when the various German kingdoms, grand duchies, duchies, principalities and Hanseatic city states had come together under Prussian leadership to form the federally structured German Empire, the Prussian honours gradually assumed, at least in public perception, the status of honours of Imperial Germany, even though many honours of the various German states continued to be awarded. The Pour le Merite was an honour conferred both for military (1740-1918) and civil (1740-1810, after 1842 as a separate class) services. It was awarded strictly as a recognition of extraordinary personal achievement, rather than as a general marker of social status or a courtesy-honour, although certain restrictions of social class and military rank were applied. The order was secular, and membership endured for the remaining lifetime of the recipient, unless renounced or revoked. During the First World War, the Pour le Merite was known informally as the Blue Max (German: Blauer Max), in honour of flying ace Max Immelmann, the first recipient during the war. Immelmann was also the first aviator ever to win the award.

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