Description:

ORIGINAL ARMBAND OF THE FRENCH RIGHT-WING GROUP, CROIX-DE-FEU
An interesting military relic of the interwar right-wing league, Croix-de-Feu, which was founded by General Francois de la Rocque and existed from 1930-1936. This armband measures 13.5 x 3.5 in., comprised of the French national colors of red, white and blue, and exhibiting an impressive brass Croix-de-Feu insignia measuring 2.25 in. square at the middle, showing a skull within a German cross, with crossed swords. Bears original snaps at either end. Pinned to a vintage cardstock sheet with pins, but easily removed by the collector. Light soiling and wear, else very good. The Croix-de-Feu was a French national league comprised primarily of World War I veterans who had been awarded the Croix de Guerre. Prior to de la Rocque's assumption of command, Croix-de-Feu undertook the unusual recruitment strategy of turning to French Algeria for support, as it considered the European settlers there ‘youthful, virile and brutal', and resorted to the use of force against Muslims and Jewish Algerians. Under de la Rocque, it launched an anti-Semitic campaign as early as 1935, and used the election of Jewish Prime Minister Leon Blum as fodder for its movement. After 1936, the Croix-de-Feu would be reformed into the French Social Party. With a membership estimated at 500,000, it would be the first mass conservative French party, mimicking the German ‘Blut und Boden' with its slogan ‘Work, Family, Fatherland'.

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August 15, 2024 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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$100 $499 $20
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$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
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$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
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$100,000 $999,999 $10,000
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$2,000,000 + $100,000