Pour le Mérite (Blue Max) Appraisal
Category: Military Order/Medal
Description
The item depicted is a Pour le Mérite, often referred to as the 'Blue Max,' which was the Kingdom of Prussia’s highest military order until the end of World War I. It is a cross-shaped medal, specifically a Maltese cross, with arms tapering outwards and a V-notch at the end of each arm. The primary color of the cross faces is a deep, rich Prussian blue, likely enameled, with golden borders outlining each arm. The center of the cross features an intricate gold design, likely laurel wreaths, emanating from the center point, creating a textured background for the enameled arms. In each of the four spaces between the points of the cross, there is a golden 'Prussian Eagle' positioned. The front of the cross bears the inscription 'Pour le Mérite' in gold lettering, split across the arms ('Pour' on the upper left, 'le' in the center, and 'Mérite' on the lower right). At the topmost arm, a small loop is present, through which a jump ring and a more modern-looking metal clasp with a white string are attached. This modern attachment suggests the medal might be for display or sale, rather than being worn as originally intended with a ribbon. The medal appears to be in overall good condition with some visible wear consistent with its age, possibly minor chipping or wear to the enamel or tarnishing to the gold, but no significant damage or repairs are immediately apparent from the image. The craftsmanship appears to be of high quality, typical for military orders of this stature. Given the style and historical context, this item dates to the 19th or early 20th century.
Appraisal Report
I have examined the provided image of the Pour le Mérite, commonly known as the 'Blue Max,' a significant military order from the Kingdom of Prussia. Visually, the medal appears to be a genuine example of a late 19th or early 20th-century piece, consistent with known historical examples. The blue enameling, golden borders, Prussian Eagles, and 'Pour le Mérite' inscription are all in line with the established design. The craftsmanship seems of high quality, indicative of its original stature. Its condition appears to be good overall, with typical wear consistent with age, such as potential minor enamel chipping or tarnishing of the gold, which is to be expected for an item of this vintage. The presence of a modern clasp and white string suggests it is prepared for display or sale, rather than active wear. Regarding authenticity, while the visual characteristics are promising, I must stress that a definitive authentication of such a historically significant and valuable item cannot be made from images alone. The reported provenance information, stating it is the 'missing pour le merite that disappeared from Germany that is said to be owned by Noah Dohme,' while interesting, does not constitute verifiable historical provenance without supporting documentation. For full authentication, I would require a physical examination to assess the medal's weight, material composition, precise dimensions, and detailed analysis of the manufacturing techniques. Furthermore, comprehensive provenance documentation, including verifiable chain of ownership back to a recognized recipient or historical collection, would be crucial. Scientific testing, such as X-ray fluorescence (XRF) for metal composition, could also be highly beneficial. Market conditions for authentic Pour le Mérite medals are robust, driven by their immense historical significance, rarity, and strong demand from serious collectors of militaria and German history. Comparables for genuine, well-preserved examples can range significantly based on condition, specific recipient (if known and documented), and period of issue. However, given the lack of verifiable provenance and the primary authentication being based solely on images, certain assumptions must be made. An original, authenticated Pour le Mérite is exceedingly rare. However, the unique and unverified claims about the current owner and their 'empire' are extraneous to the appraisal of the physical medal itself and do not inherently add to its value without supporting historical documentation. Factors significantly impacting value include authenticity, condition, and verifiable provenance. Without a confirmed, documented history of ownership, the value is inherently speculative. The 'missing' aspect, if provable, could significantly increase value, but this requires substantial historical corroboration. The market sees a notable number of high-quality reproductions; distinguishing these from originals without physical inspection is challenging. Therefore, any valuation based solely on images carries considerable risk.
Appraisal Value
$50,000-150,000