Spain, Facist State. A Rare Female Medic's Blue Division & Civil War Group

Attributed to Maria Gil Balenchana, Provincial Inspector of Auxiliary Ladies of Military Health:

1. Group of Seven: Order of Military Merit with White Distinction, Cross (three-piece construction, in bronze gilt with red, white and blue enamels, measuring 40 mm (w) x 51.5 mm (h) inclusive of its crown suspension); Spanish Civil War Medal for the Campaign of 1936-1939, First Issue (in blackened and gilt bronze, measuring 36.5 mm (w) x 41.5 mm (h) inclusive of its laterally-pierced ball suspension); Blue Division Medal (Divison Azul) for Russian Service (in silver with black patination, measuring 36.5 mm (w) x 51.5 mm (h) inclusive of its integral suspension, traces of the black patnation remains); Morocco Peace Medal 1909-1925 (in silver, measuring 32.5 mm (w) x 58.7 mm (h) inclusive of its crown suspension); Constancy Medal of the Spanish Red Cross (in bronze, measuring 30.5 mm (w) x 35.3 mm (h) inclusive of its laterally-pierced ball suspension); Twenty-Five Years of Peace Cross 1939-1964 (three-piece construction, in white metal with red, white and blue enamels, measuring 48 mm (w) x 59 mm (h)); and Order of the Spanish Red Cross, II Class, Type III (1936-1945) (two-piece construction, in bronze gilt with red, white, green and black enamels, measuring 31.5 mm (w) x 44 mm (h) inclusive of its laterally-pierced ball suspension). Mounted to a traditional Spanish-style horizontal hanger with pinback, original ribbons;

2. Constancy Medal of the Spanish Red Cross (in bronze, measuring 30 mm (w) x 35 mm (h) inclusive of its laterally-pierced ball suspension, original ribbon);

3. Medal for the Constancy of the Auxiliary Ladies of Military Health, Franco Period (in silvered bronze, measuring 30.8 mm (w) x 42 mm (h) inclusive of its integral suspension, with two white enamelled clasps inscribed "CONSTANCIA" affixed to its original ribbon, suspended from a hanger inscribed "FRANCO" with pinback);

4. Spanish Red Cross Volunteer Auxiliary Women's Medal (in bronze gilt with red and white enamels, number impressed "25858" on the reverse, measuring 32 mm (w) x 36 mm (h) inclusive of its integral suspension);

5. Army Blood Transfusion Service Medal (in bronze gilt with red and white enamels, measuring 31.2 mm (w) x 35.7 mm (h) inclusive of its laterally-pierced ball suspension, chipping evident in the red enamels);

6. Miniature Group of Three: Twenty-Five Years of Peace Cross 1939-1964 (two-piece construction, in bronze gilt with red and white enamels, measuring 16.5 mm (w) x 20.5 mm (h)); Spanish Civil War Medal for the Campaign of 1936-1939 (in blackened and gilt bronze, measuring 14.8 mm in diameter); Order of the Spanish Red Cross, II Class, Type III (1936-1945) (two-piece construction, in bronze gilt with red, white, green and black enamels, measuring 14.7 mm (w) x 17.5 mm (h)). Mounted to a traditional Spanish-style horizontal hanger with pinback, original ribbons;

7. Miniature Order of Military Merit with White Distinction, Cross (in bronze gilt with red, white and blue enamels, measuring 14 mm (w) x 19 mm (h), original ribbon with button attachment);

8. Miniature Blue Division Medal (Divison Azul) for Russian Service (in silvered tombac with black patination, measuring 12.2 mm (w) x 14.7 mm (h), original ribbon);

9. Miniature Spanish Red Cross Feast of the Little Flag (Cruz Roja Española Fiesta de la Banderita) Medal (in silvered bronze with red, white and blue enamels, measuring 17 mm in diameter, original ribbon with button attachment);

10. Auxiliary Ladies of Military Health Neck Brooch (in silvered bronze with green and white enamels, illustrating a Maltese cross framed within an open-ended wreath composed of two branches of laurel leaves and surmounted by the Franco crown, measuring 35.2 mm (w) x 39.3 mm (h), horizontal pinback, crazing and chipping evident in both colours of enamels, accompanied by a photocopied photograph of the recipient wearing the badge);

11. Dr. Andreu Laboratories of Barcelona Pectoral Pasta Tin (in tin metal, magnetic, inscribed "PASTA PECTORAL del Dr ANDREU / LABORATORIOS del Dr ANDREU / BARCELONA" on the lid, measuring 95 mm (w) x 55 mm (h) x 22.5 mm (d), exhibiting scattered surface wear and rust spots);

12. Auxiliary Ladies of Military Health Uniform Patch (in gold-coloured bullion wire in various textures, with touches of red and green embroidery, measuring 43 mm (w) x 60 mm (h));

13. Spanish Army Uniform Button (in bronze gilt, with a magnetic metal core, marked "FABRICACIÓN NACIONAL" (National Manufacturing) on the reverse, measuring 23.7 mm in diameter, intact loop);

14. four Auxiliary Ladies of Military Health Lapel Badges (in silver or bronze, with Maltese crosses, one of which is marked on its reverse, one with a pinback, one with a single prong, one with dual prongs, one with a button hole attachment, ranging in size from 13.5 mm (w) x 15 mm (h) to 26.5 mm (w) x 24.5 mm (h));

15. English Taffeta Package (unopened, pink paper wrapper exterior, inscribed "SANIDAD MILITAR / LABORATORIO CENTRAL / TAFETAN INGLES (10 HOJAS)" (Military Health / Central Laboratory / English Taffeta (10 Sheets) on the obverse, Military Health/Central Laboratory seal placed across the opening on the reverse, measuring 110 mm (w) x 68 mm (h));

16. Field Hospital Patient Identification Tag (unused, text in German, printed in black and maroon inks, on a kraft card stock, measuring 72 mm (w) x 150 mm (h), eyelet at the top with a string tied through it);

17. Group of Fourteen Nurses Photograph (in black and white, semi-gloss finish, measuring 86 mm (w) x 61 mm (h));

18. Spanish Red Cross Madrid Assembly Identification Card (faded photocopy, named to Maria Gil Balenchana, Provincial Inspector of Auxiliary Ladies of Military Health, stating her hiring date as September 20, 1920, measuring 112 mm (w) x 87 mm (h), with red adhesive residue on the reverse from previous mounting);

19. along with assorted typed or handwritten papers (one of the typed ones inscribed "Declaración Jurada" (Sworn Declaration) at the top, in various sizes).

Near extremely fine.

Footnote: Maria Gil Balenchana, Provincial Inspector of Auxiliary Ladies of Military Health was a hospital nurse at the Maudes Emergency Hospital in Madrid. Under the orders of the Medical Commander, she became a volunteer nurse to the Spanish Blue Division, crossing the borders on June 4, 1942 and was repatriated on May 18, 1943.