An 1898 Award Document For Red Cross Medal To Elisabeth Wentzel; Academy Of Science

An award document for a Red Cross Medal 2nd Class, and three accompanying letter. The award document measures 210x328mm, mint condition. The letters measure 209x265mm each, all in mint condition. They are printed forms with only a few things filled in by hand, like the address. Only one has a handwritten signature. The recipient is the widow of Royal Baurath (Architectural Councillor) Hermann Wentzel, Elisabeth Wentzel, née Heckmann. The document is dated to Berlin on October 22, 1898. The signature is indecipherable. This makes Mrs. Wentzel one of the first recipients of the award, as it was only introduced on October 1, 1898. It was awarded for service to the sick, either in peace or times of war, or for special services for the German Red Cross. The three letters are all sent to Mrs. Wentzel from Ludwig von Windheim (1857–1935), the president of the police of Berlin. The first letter is dated to November 7, 1898. It informs Mrs. Wentzel about the medal being awarded, and asks for the accompanying form to be filled out and sent back as soon as possible. The second letter is dated to December 5, 1898. Von Windheim informs Mrs. Wentzel that since the award of this medal includes its lower class, she will also receive the Bronze Medal (3rd Class), which he will make sure to send her at a later date. He also asks her to please send back the accompanying form to confirm the receipt of the Medal 2nd Class. The third letter is dated to April 27, 1899. It is the letter that came with the award document. Apparently it was not sent on the day that it is dated to, but half a year later. With it comes a receipt form. Von Windheim asks Mrs. Wentzel to please fill it out and send it back.

Footnote: Elisabeth Wentzel, née Heckmann (1833–1914) was made an honourary member of the Royal Prussian Academy of Science in 1900, the first female member since Catherine the Great in 1768. This was in response to financial support to the Academy in the form of the Hermann und Elise geborene Heckmann Wentzel-Stiftung (Hermann and Elise née Heckmann Wentzel Foundation), which operates to this day. For establishing this charitable foundation, Emperor Wilhelm II. awarded her the William Order. She was also a recipient of the prestigious Order of Louise.