{"product_id":"1914-imperial-german-oberesass-district-turnfest-badge","title":"1914 Imperial German Oberesass District Turnfest Badge","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis original Imperial German commemorative badge was issued for the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOberelsass (Upper Alsace) District Gymnastics Festival (Bezirksturnfest)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e held at \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSt. Stephan in Mühlhausen im Elsass (Mulhouse, Alsace)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJuly 1914\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, just weeks before the outbreak of World War I.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe front features the traditional \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTurner Cross (Turnerkreuz)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the iconic symbol of the German gymnastics movement (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTurnverein\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e), surrounded by an attractive openwork oak leaf design. The raised scroll across the top reads:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“OB. ELS. BEZIRKSTURNFEST d. ETB. ST. STEPHAN – MÜHLHAUSEN i. E. VII 1914.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGymnastics festivals, known as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTurnfests\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, were major cultural and athletic gatherings throughout Imperial Germany. Badges such as this were produced in limited quantities for participants and attendees and are highly collectible today, especially examples from the historically significant Alsace region. Since the event took place only weeks before the First World War began, this badge represents one of the final major peacetime athletic festivals held in Imperial German Alsace.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeatures\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal Imperial German Turnfest commemorative badge\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eDated \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJuly 1914\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eIssued for the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOberelsass District Gymnastics Festival\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eLocation: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSt. Stephan, Mühlhausen im Elsass (Mulhouse, Alsace)\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eOpenwork design with traditional \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTurner Cross\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and oak leaves\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal horizontal pinback attached\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSilvered white metal construction\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAuthentic untouched patina\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVery good original condition with honest age-related wear and oxidation. The original pin and catch remain intact. The badge has not been cleaned or polished, preserving its original finish and character. Please review all photos carefully for overall condition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA scarce and historically significant piece of Imperial German sporting history that would make an excellent addition to any collection of pre-WWI German memorabilia, Turnverein artifacts, or World War I-era collectibles.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Whiskey Rebellion Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43328074907725,"sku":null,"price":75.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0610\/9229\/8829\/files\/FA40A00E-B54D-4CCE-B206-2D425B133E20.jpg?v=1785436686","url":"https:\/\/whiskeyrebellionantiques.com\/products\/1914-imperial-german-oberesass-district-turnfest-badge","provider":"Whiskey Rebellion Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}