The Chicago 1871 Friedensfest Cross A Potential Rarity

[Fred Borgmann]

 

When the Franco-Prussian War ended early in 1871 the Germans living in the United States celebrated the return of peace (“frieden”) in German, or the actual victory with many locally issued souvenir type medals. One of the more potentially rare examples of these is the metal cross issued in Chicago which celebrated the return of peace. The Chicago Friedensfest cross is stamped on a very thin sheet of brass about 40 mm wide with a frail flat loop to accommodate a suspension ribbon. Since the metal is so thin the front design is incuse on the back. This cross was definitely produced on a very tight budget and as such was most likely put away in a dresser drawer and forgotten after the celebrations ended.

The war officially ended on May 10, 1871, just five months before the Great Chicago Fire of Oct. 10, 1871. While the fire ravaged Chicago and the people fled I am sure the last thing on their minds was saving this little cross. Makes me wonder how many of these crosses were lost in that fire and the following clean up.