10 National Order of Merit awarded to Willi Stoph.
Order decoration 1st model (1954-1972) gold and enamel, on original gold ribbon clasp with pin brooch on back. Both parts with gold stamp "900" on reverse.
The accompanying medal clasp also gold with gold stamp "900" on reverse. On needle brooch.
In it's original case of issue.
Together with the original award certificate, issued to the Minister of the Interior of the German Democratic Republic Willi Stoph. Dated Berlin, October 7, 1954, with original signature of the President of the GDR Wilhelm Pieck and lacquer seal.
In original award folder of cream leather, the cover with gold embossed inscription "VATERLÄNDISCHER VERDIENSTORDEN" and oak leaves.
387 x 280 mm.
Accompanied by a letter of confirmation from Alice Stoph, widow, dated 4/13/1999, regarding the transfer of the order: "...in memory of your good friend, my dear husband Willi Stoph, I leave you this award along with a certificate, which were dear to him...".
With a photo of Willi Stoph, also a gift from April 1999.Provenance: Paul Tollmann, employee in the Ministry of the Interior of the GDR, responsible for penal institutions, detention centers and youth centers of the GDR.
Medal and award folder in a specially made linen-covered storage casket.
Willi Stoph (* July 9, 1914 in Berlin-Schöneberg; † April 13, 1999 in Berlin) was a German communist politician of the GDR who was a member of the Politburo of the SED from 1953. He was minister of the interior from 1952 to 1955 and minister of defense from 1955 to 1960. From 1960, deputy prime minister without portfolio. From 1964 to 1973 he was Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the GDR, then until 1976 as Chairman of the Council of State the head of state of the GDR and then again Chairman of the Council of Ministers until the fall of 1989.
Important set from the first year of issue of the Fatherland Order of Merit awarded to one of the most important personalities of the GDR.