Figure 1: Commemorative Insignia of the Field-Marshall Archduke Albrecht. Image curtesy of Dorotheum.
Introduction:
This insignia: The Commemorative Insignia of the Field-Marshall Archduke Albrecht (Erinnerungszeichen an Feldmarschall Erzherzog Albrecht) is not strictly speaking a medal or a decoration but rather a commemorative of the service of Archduke Albrecht. However, because of its importance I am including it in this blog in a manner that would be similar to a commemorative medal. This award was issued when the monument to Archduke Albrecht, the victor of Custozza, was unveiled in Vienna in 1899. It was awarded to those officers and officials, still living, who had served on Archduke Albrecht’s staff.
Date Issued: May 21, 1899
Reason Issued: To reward those officers and officials, still living, who had served on Archduke Albrecht’s staff. The award was issued on the occasion of the unveiling of a monument to Archduke Albrecht, the victor of Custozza, in Vienna.
Classes or Types: One
Interesting Facts:
The award was granted to the 34 living officers who had served as aides or ordinance officers on Albrecht’s staff
- The award was worn on the right side of the chest
- The Archduke died in 1895
Hallmarks: The reverse of the medal which is flat is profusely hallmarked with among other marks the 1872-1922 silver small article mark, Vienna essay office mark and the mark C.F. Rothe & Neffe
Design: A pierced badge with a vertical pin on the back
Figure 1: Commemorative Insignia of the Field-Marshall Archduke Albrecht. Image curtesy of Dorotheum.
Obverse: In the center of the badge is an ornate italic letter in script superimposed over field marshal’s batons which are arranged in the form of a St. Andrews cross. The monogram and batons are surrounded by a laurel wreath composed of two boughs tied at the bottom with a bow. At the top of the wreath is a Archduke’s crown. The spaces within the wreath not occupied by the monogram and batons are pierced. (See figure 1 above)
Reverse: Vaulted plain silver with a diagonal pin.
Weight: 27.4 grams
Size: 60.5 mm by 41 mm
Type of Material: Frosted silver
Variations:
- Type I Commemorative Badge of the Field-Marshall Archduke Albrecht: A silver badge as described above.
- Type II Commemorative Badge of the Field-Marshall Archduke Albrecht: A silver badge as described above except it is encrusted with diamonds.
Designer: Carl Freidrich Rothe & Neffe
Manufacturer: Carl Freidrich Rothe Rothe & Neffe
Number Issued:
- 34 silver badges
- 1 badge in diamonds
Figure 2: Type I Case., exterior top. Image from the author’s archive.
Figure 3: Type I Case., interior. Image from the author’s archive.
Case:
- Type I: A black leather case which is 114 mm in height, 89 mm in width and 30 mm in depth. The attached monogram and crown are in gold gilt. The interior of the lid is white silk and has the makers logo in gold. The inner portion of the bottom of the case is black plush and fitted.
- Type II: A red leather case with an attached monogram and crown are in silver gilt. The Interior of the lid is white silk and has the makers logo in gold. The inner portion of the bottom of the case is white plush and fitted.
Figure 4: Type 2 Case., exterior top. Image from the author’s archive.
Figure 5: Type I Case., interior. Image from the author’s archiv
Ribbon: Red
Attachments: None
Figure 6: Commemorative Insignia of the Field-Marshall Archduke Albrecht miniature. Image from the author’s archive.
Miniature: A silver badge which is 24 mm in height and 16 mm in width. The badge weighs 2.6 grams. It is the same in appearance as the badge except that it has a large silver suspension ring passing through the orb of the crown. The reverse is plain. Although the badge had no ribbon associated with it the miniatures are suspended from a red ribbon which was commonly used for civil awards.
Recipients:
- General der Kavallerie Eugen Piret Freiherr de Bihain
- General der Kavallerie Andor Graf Palffy ab Erdöd
- General der Kavallerie Hilbert Freiherr von Löhneysen
- Fedzeugmeister Zeno Graf Welsersheimb
- Feldzeugmeister Friedrich Freiherr von Beck
- Feldzeugmeister Philipp Graf Grünne
- Feldmarschalleutnant Johann Groller von Mildensee
- Feldmarschalleutnant Wladimir Freiherr von Spinett
- Feldmarschalleutnant Franz Freiherr von Schönaich,
- Feldmarschalleutnant Ferdinand Freiherr von Franz
- Feldmarschalleutnant Viktor Graf Dubsky Freiherr von Trebomislic
- Feldmarschalleutnant Alois Graf Paar
- Feldmarschalleutnant Anton Freiherr Malowetz von Malowitz und Kosor
- Generalmajor Guido Graf Dubsky
- Generalmajor Graf Vilmos Pälffy
- Generalmajor Stephan Szmrecsanyi de Szmrecsanyi
- Generalmajor Ludwig von Fischer-Colbrie
- Oberst Lothar Freiherr von Hennet
- Oberst Ernst Graf Chotek,
- Oberst Ludwig Graf Breda
- Oberst Viktor von Koller
- Oberst Josef Fajta
- Obersdleutnant Johann Baptist Freiherr von Bavier
- Oberstleutnant Theodor Hanke
- Major Ferdinand Graf Lamberg
- Major Karl Fürst Khevenhüller-Metsch
- Major Franz Graf Thun-Hohenstein
- Major Ferdinand Prinz von Lobkowicz
- Major Edgar Kohl von Kohlenegg
- Rittmeister Gabor Graf Festetics
- Rittmeister Nikolaus Fürst Pälffy
- Hauptmann Anton Wahl,
- Oberleutnant Johann Prinz. Schwarzenberg
- Stabsarzt Dr. Eduard Hubel Ritter von Stollenbach
Figure 7: Field-Marshall Archduke Albrecht. Image from the author’s archive.
Figure 8: Feldzeugmeister Friedrich Freiherr von Beck-Rzickowsky
Wearing the Commemorative Insignia of the Field-Marshall Archduke Albrecht. Image from the author’s archive.
Hope you enjoyed this blog. Until next time, I hope you find joy in our shared interest.
Rick
Dear Mr. Lussier,
I would like to add some details to this interesting discussion, by sending the pictures of an original, awarded badge, from my own collection.
All the best,
Enzo Calabresi
The reverse:
Mr. Calabr
Thank you for sharing the images of your badge. It is a wonderful item to have in your collection. I have only seen one badge that I could certify as genuine in my more than 40 years of research. The badges illustrated in my blog post are reported by experts to be genuine and appear in most ways to be similiter to the one in your collection. The one badge that I know was genuine I unfortunately saw many years ago and was not able to photograph. This badge was flat and profusely hallmarked on the back. However, I have long ago learned that it is irresponsible to assume that there cannot be genuine items that vary from this one. I am unable to tell from the picture whether the piece in your collection has hallmarks on the reverse and also whether it has a maker’s name on the pin. If it is not too much trouble, could you let me know if there are marks on the back and if so, what they are. Thank you.
Rick
Dear Rick,
thank you for your kind words and I am glad if my piece could add some more info to the study you’ve published in this fine Blog.
Re. its markings, I can say that the wreath is struck with the “FR” lozenge mark and the “Windhundkopfpunze” for silver, the Archduke’s monogram “A” is struck twice with Vienna’s “A” mark, same as the pin. I apologize for the reverse picture provided, where the markings actually are not very well visible.
In the past, I’ve had a further piece, in all identical to this one, purchased in 1980 from an italian collector; in all identical to mine, although the reverse was fitted with a silver hook, cleanly soldered to the left of the crown, probably added on behalf of the original owner to have it less moving when worn on the uniform.
Best regards,
Enzo
Mr. Calabre
The hallmarks you have noted are consistent with those I have previously seen on genuine awards. Thus, it is a pleasure to compliment you on having such a beautiful and rare item in your collection. Best regards
Rick