Any help would be greatly appreciated in identifying the uniform and medals in these two photographs please. I have no idea who the blokes in the photographs are. They are in a family album that belonged to my Great Great Grandfather Gustav Aldoph Albert Kuhlmey. The album contains photographs of family and friends.
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
Update
I received the following response from Dr. James M. Owston when I posted this blog post on Google Plus.
They appear to be Prussian/German Empire uniforms following the Franco-Prussian war. They are both probably post war. They are officers, but impossible to tell their grade as the insignia on their shoulder cords is not visible.
In the top photo, he is wearing a Pour le Mérite (later nicknamed “the Blue Max”) and the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross around his neck. On his breast, he is wearing Iron Cross, First Class.
In the bottom photo, he is wearing a Pour le Mérite with Oak Leaves. On his breast, he is wearing Iron Cross, First Class.
In addition on the right breast of each soldier there is a button hole ribbon. Many of these looked similar in black and white photos, but I believe both men have the ribbon for the Iron Cross, Second Class.
See also Gustav Kuhlmey – Can you identify his German Uniform?
Find me on Google Plus +Valmay Young
Thanks for contacting me via twitter. These CDVs were found in many a german photoalbum of the time.
The first photo shows Crown-Prince William of Prussia. The second shows King William I. The rulers of Prussia. Father and son.
Strange that no one has been able to id these two before. Both wear the uniform of a prussian general.
Best regards
Rob
Germany
1infanteriedivision.wordpress.com
godwithusww1.wordpress.com
Many thanks once again. I thought they looked rather important! The album these photos are from belonged to Gustav and used to include a photo taken by Gustav’s Uncle, Franz Kuhlmey, of Kaiser Wilhelms christening. I believe Franz Kuhlmey was the court photographer.