US, German, Franco-Prussian War Veterans Ribbon, Dubuque Iowa 1906

Original period manufacture. What a fun thing, here we have a German Franco-Prussian War Veterans reunion ribbon, honoring a gathering which was held in Dubuque Iowa in 1906. The overall length measures 5 inches, with a brass suspender at top with a celluloid disc bearing an 1870 Iron Cross at center. The ribbon is very fragile, and the badge will be shipped to you in this Riker mount. This is a very good example of the level of legal immigration which occurred in the United States in the late 19th, and early 20th Centuries. In 1902 Prince Heinrich of Prussia sailed to America to obtain his older brothers yacht, SMS Meteor. While in the United States, he traveled through the eastern part of the country visiting cities along the route. Many Americans of German ancestry gathered to greet the Prince along his journey, including veterans of the 1870-71 War. At one stop, the Prince noticed a man wearing the Iron Cross 1st Class on his coat. The Prince stopped his carriage, stepped down, and walking up to the former soldier, shook the man's hand and presented him with a salute.