Order for Merit to Commerce (France)
The order for merit in trade (fr. Ordre du Mérite commercial ) was founded by decree on May 27, 1939 by the French President Albert Lebrun and was intended to reward people who made merits in the field of economic development and foreign trade around the French Republic . By decree of June 29, 1961, the award was renamed the Order of Merit to Commerce and Industry ( Ordre du Mérite commercial et industriel ).
Order classes
The order consists of three classes and the number of annual awards was regulated. By decree in 1952, the number was increased.
To be awarded the medal, one had to be 35 years of age and have been in the field for fifteen years. The officers' cross could be awarded no earlier than six years after being appointed knight, and the commander's cross no earlier than another four years.
Order decoration
The sign of the order is a gold-plated eight-pointed star that hangs from two outstretched wings and a gear wheel runs under its arms . A medallion is attached to the star, which shows the image of the Roman deity Mercury and, to the left of it, a ship under sail. Two snakes wind around the medallion. On the reverse of the medallion is a globe with the inscription ORDRE DU MERITE COMMERCIAL (Order for Merit for Trade).
In 1961 the medal was changed and the now enamelled medallion shows the left-facing image of Marianne in front of a factory and a cargo ship. The likewise enamelled medallion on the back shows the globe with the golden inscription ORDRE DU MERITE COMMERCIAL ET INDUSTRIEL (Order for Merit for Trade and Industry).
Carrying method
The commander's cross is worn as a neck medal . The medals of the officers and knights are on the ribbon on the left side of the chest, with a rosette attached to the ribbon of the officer's cross .
The ribbon is gray with a gold side stripe.
Others
The award of the Order for Merit to Commerce and Industry was discontinued in 1963 as part of the reorganization of the French religious system and the Foundation of the National Order of Merit .
literature
- André Souyris-Rolland: Guide des Ordres Civil Français et Étrangers, des Médailles d'Honneur et des Médailles des Sociétés. Paris 1979.
- André Damien: Les Ordres de Chevalerie et les Décorations. Éditions Mémoire et Documents, Versailles 2002, ISBN 2-914611-05-6 .