Austro-Hungarian Empire: Memorial Cross of
Kaiserin Zita.
Maker marked by Schwertner in Graz.
With the respective document.
Zita of Bourbon-Parma (9 May 1892 – 14 March
1989)
was the wife of Kaiser Karl of Austria-Hungary,
and last Empress of Austria and Queen of
Hungary.
She was buried on 01 Apr. 1989 in Vienna. The
ceremony was a public event with thousands
of participants.
To thank all the organizers, Crown Prince
Archduke Dr. Otto von Habsburg-Lothringen
distributed among the members of the
preparatory committee, various fraternities
as well as other smaller organizations that
helped with the logistics of the ceremony a
"Thank You" document with his signature in
about 2000 copies.
The Memorial Cross of Kaiserin Zita was
established on 09 May 1989, the day of her
birthday. Simple copies of the "Thank You"
document of the burial ceremony (A4 format)
were used as award documents for the Cross-
those documents are found both named and
unnamed as of this example. The recipients
were divided into 3 categories:
- To those who were expressly invited by the
Imperial Family to the funeral ceremonies in
Klosterneuburg and Vienna and took part in
the conduct in uniform. Also to all members
of the preparatory committee and to 3
Commanders of traditional Bohemian and
Moravian Regiments who had maintained the
Austro-Hungarian military tradition before
1989 at high personal risk.
- To other participants of the ceremonies that
were not expressly invited: ie. members of the
Austrian Armed Forces in uniform, members
of traditional formations of military nature,
members of Veterans Associations and
members of Charitable Religious Orders in
uniform who provided first aid during the
funeral ceremonies.
- To sponsors: Civilians or Organizations that
did not necessarily have to have taken part in
the conduct. The condition was a special
close relationship with the Imperial House.
In total 1600 Crosses were issued, hence it
is a scarce award.
FULL SIZE
Memorial Ceremonies of Kaiserin Zita - 1989
Cross and ribbon 100% original. Document:
possibly original
Condition as on the photos
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