Why were the Russians so quick to hand out the (originally Polish) Order of St. Stanislas to Prussians? v. Etzel had one, his father in law had the St Stanislas on a sash (he fought in the 1870 war).
-
-
a wild guess: could it be because of the very broad criteria for the award? St. Stanislas was awarded for "Christian virtues" or for any activity that benefited humanity, you can fit just about anything into that definition. -
Brian,
As you know, the Russians and Prussians were part of a "mutual admiration society" from the time of the Wars of Liberation against Napoleon until at least the time of German unification (if not until the turn of the century).
T.Comment
-
Thats a given, but I think Brian was asking more in terms of why St. Stanislas and not any other order?Comment
-
Other orders were of course involved; if you check out the upcoming Orders sale by Hermann Historica you will find an outstanding Order of St. Anne, 2nd Class with Brilliants, to a Prussian military observer (Lot 714):
http://www.hermann-historica.com/d/index-d.htm
T.Comment
-
Thanks guys, but they certainly lost the admiration when Prussia moved east during WWI. I'm proud to know gran'pappy was a humanitarian in the eyes of Imperial Russia at least until he up and attacked 'em!
Comment
-
Hi Brian,
the Stanislaus is normally the 1st awarded Russian Order, then follows Anna and so on.
If You look in old Prussian Ranklists You will find plenty of officers with fitting classes of St.Stanislaus and Anna.
The Russians had a very complex Awards system:
so if somebody should be decorated he generally received first the fitting class of the Stanislaus, next the Anna. If he hold this 2 even in Grand cross class follows the white eagle, than Alexander Newski, last St.Andrew.
St.George and Wladimir are out of that row, this 2 Orders were always "special awards"
Best regards
DanielComment
-
Thanks Daniel. Assume the one above is the first of the awards. Great grandpappy had the one on a sash which looked very dashing.Comment
-
An award on sash is the highest level. I think there is also a breast star that accompanies it.
Usually Russian Imperial awards went like this: cross on ribbon, neck cross, neck cross with breast star and the highest, sash with breast star. Am I close, Daniel?
Comment
-
...near by.
St.Andrew, St.Alexander Newski, White Eagle are single class orders, only sash badge and star, Andrew additional with chain
George and Wladimir had 4 classes; breast, neck, neck with star, sash with star.
Anna and Stanislaus had 3 classes; breast, neck, sash and star, but the neck crosses COULD also get a star as additional award.
Best regards
DanielComment
-
Daniel,
Thank you for this detailed information. I plan to start collecting Tzarist orders, and this is a big help to me!
TranslatorComment
-
If I may add a bit,
The Order of St. Anne was slightly different than the other orders: The 4th class badge was actually affixed to a sword (a small round badge with a red cross and crown), the 3rd class was a breast badge, 2nd class a neck badge and 1st class had a badge, sash and star.
There was also an Order of St. Catherine in two classes for women, both worn on a bow and one bigger than the other. The ribbon is neat for that order as the bow "petals" have "Za lyubov i otechestvo" ("For love and fatherland") in sequins - very striking and super rare.
There is also the Order of St. George - the supreme marque of bravery in tsarist Russia. The grand cross (1st class) had a sash and star, 2nd class a neck badge and star, 3rd class a neck badge and the 4th a breast badge. The Order was confined to officers, while enlisted men got St. George's Cross in four grades and even a St. George's Medal. If that weren't enough, in certain instances, St. George's dirks and swords were awarded and even bugles to units!
To further complicate things, like the Austrians, many medals were worn on certain ribbons depending on how the medal was won - usually St. Andrew, St. Anne, and St. Vladimir ribbons. It's confusing!
Comment
-
I found a picture of great grandpappy standing. The other shot I have of him cuts off the sash. Notice the watch fob like device holding the St. Stanis.Comment
-
Sehr interessant! But he'd have to hang that "Schaerpe" SOMEWHERE....Comment
-
NIIICE pic! You can RARELY see a General posing in civilian clothes with some of his awards.
That "watch fob device" is quite normal for sash badges. Sometimes sash bagdes were also worn around the neck so this was a easy way remove the cross from the sash.
Best regards
DanielComment
Comment