BACKGROUND: On October 1ST & 2ND 1932, Reichsjugendführer Baldur von Schirach organized the first National Youth Day held in Potsdam. As with most rallies/events sponsored by the NSDAP a small commemorative "day" badge was produced for issue to the participants and sale to the spectators. Originally the badge was only issued in a bronze version for wear on the day of the event. The event was such a great success with roughly 85,000 male and 15,000 female participants, over five times the expected amount, that in November 1936 the badge gained official national status as a Commemorative Honor Badge, and was reproduced in a silver version. Of Note: After the official recognition of the badge the original bronze version was forbidden from further wear.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Officially recognized, die struck tombac badge with a silver wash. Original silver wash is about 40% retained with the expect wear to the high spots. Badge is in the form of a vertical rectangle with embossed outer border and an embossed, downward pointing broad sword with an oak-leaf wreath encompassing a static swastika superimposed on the hilt of the sword, all on a slightly pebbled background field. Background field has embossed script, "NS I. Reichs Jugendtag", (National Socialist 1ST National Youth Day), with a smooth field banner to bottom with impressed date, "1932". Plain solid reverse has embossed manufacturers name "F.HOFFSTATTER, BOHN" & "GES.GESCH". Vertical pin back device is intact to reverse.

GRADE ***½                             PRICE $188.00