something really rare

[Dete]

Hi,

i searched the web and all books i ve available, but could t find any other picture.
Has anybody of the PLM specialist seen a picture of such a package or a picture of it before? Even without the Oakleaves.

Best regards
Detlev

[streptile]

Very nice, very rare, and no: I have never seen one before

[Kraal]

Hey!

Never seen one before, AND I have my doubts. Why is the "pour le merite" written in a different type of letter style? That's totally different to ALL other genuie cartons. And then, "Eichenlaub" is again written in the common letter style.. If it was at least "pour le merite mit Eichenlaub" in one style, but it isn't.

If it was up to me- let it go.

[streptile]

Interesting points, Andy, but I find it believable. Of course I've never seen another, so who knows? But I like it.

[Brian L.]

As a typographer, my guess would be that 'pour le mérite' is sans serif for 2 reasons. Firstly, it would be inappropriate to use a Fraktur typeface for French. Secondly, it was a common practice in the late 19th through to the mid 20th century to use what is known as a 'black' sans serif font like this for emphasis, which is in keeping with the phrase 'pour le mérite' . It is not unusual to mix fonts and font weights.

Logically, a faker would probably have just put all the type in Fraktur type, not knowing that it was wrong to do so and because it's easier. Therefore, the fact that the typefaces are mixed so obviously actually makes me like this box.

[GdC26]

If it's a fake then the museum at Ypers has fallen for it, too ....

[Dete]

Hello,
thx for the picture.
I ve no doubt about the originality.
But was curious, because i couldn t find any pics.
So i think not to many of these boxes survived and they are probably much rarer
than the award.
Regards
Detlev

[Kraal]

Wow, not bad, I'm sorry for my advice based on stomatch feelings!

[Jelle M.]

For me it could be period, looks very believable.
But you never know ofcourse.

[Elmar Lang]

I agree with the colleagues noting that in the old german writing (when the handwritten or printed "gothic" was in use), the non-German words were written/printed in "normal" characters, hence the "Pour le Mérite" in "latin" font.

I've noticed the same in very old Austrian documents, etc.

In my opinion, this cardboard case (for what can be ascertained from the pictures), should be an original piece.

Best wishes,

E.L.