A German Labour Front Kdf (Deutsche Arbeitsfront, Kraft Durch Freude) "Monte Olivia" Tally Ribbon

Black rayon with machine-woven gold-coloured celleon and white embroidered threading, inscribed "MONTE OLIVIA", flanked by the red, white and gold embroidered German Labour Front flag at the left and the red, white and gold embroidered German Labour Front KdF (Deutsche Arbeitsfront, Kraft durch Freude) flag at the right, inscribed "D.A.F. NS Gemeinschaft "Kraft durch Freude" at the far left and "Gau Düsseldorf" at the far right, 33 mm x 940 mm, scattered pin holes, light tape residue on the reverse from previous mounting, extremely fine.

Footnote: Built by Blohm & Voss Hamburg in 1925, this 13,750 ton liner participated in the very first KdF cruise in May 1934, accompanied by the Dresden. The Monte class of ships were prescient of what was to come for the KdF, because they did not have a 'class' system. Passengers still paid differing amounts depending on cabin location, however, third class passengers were free to roam all areas of the ship. Although not owned by the KdF, the Monte Olivia was chartered for use in the Nazi cruise program. During the war, she served as a hospital ship, accommodation ship and finally, evacuation ship during Operation Hannibal. After completing one of her runs from East Prussia to mainland Germany, she was bombed by the Allies on April 3, 1945 and sunk.