Useful links:
www.gmic.co.uk
This overview is an initial outline that may be subject to change as the book develops.
Events leading to the Freiheitskrieg, the design of the cross (involvement of Schinkel and Friedrich Wilhelm), the evolution of the design through 1813, 1870, 1914, 1939, the revamped 1957 issue going back to the old core design, the retention of the Iron Cross today as the national emblem on aircraft, tanks etc. The concept of the "temporary award" used only when the nation is at war and thus the Iron Cross is likely never to be awarded again, etc.
Most of the background will have been covered in (1), but here we'd include stuff like text of the original foundation statutes etc.
Examples of the Grand Cross and Blücherstern. For the latter we'd need to use a museum copy of course. Description of the awards and details of the winners. Not too large a chapter. As Chris has already pointed out, few mortals will ever see one let alone own one.
Description of the difficulties involved in actually fabricating an award at this time, leading to variants such as the Bandkreuz etc. Examples of actual recipients
Illustrate as many original examples/variants as possible. If possible with weights. Measurements etc. but wouldn't want to go too far into details like that this as there were no set standard weights or dimensions anyway.
Don't know how many, if any, we would be likely to find but we should include award documents if we can.
Description of the award, again the difficulties in fabricating leading to the multi-part frames etc. Shortages leading to waiting lists and the "inheritance order". Examples of actual recipients.
Illustrate as many original examples/variants as possible. If possible with weights/dimensions. Again, measurements etc but as there were no set standard weights/dimensions not too much time on this.
Again, we are unlikely to find too many but we should include award documents if we can.
This would cover all the patriotic stuff and could be as large or small as we want to make it. I guess most of this stuff tends to relate to 1914-18 so this section would be smallish anyway, but can describe how the EK caught the imagination of the nation and helped to inspire patriotic fervour etc.
The background to the Franco-Prussian War, the new foundation decree and its text, the change to the design.
Examples of the Grand Cross with details of the recipients. Only moderate coverage for the same reasons as 2.1
Description of the award, showing much finer "build quality" than before as production methods improved, makers marks beginning to appear. Examples of actual recipients.
Illustrate as many original examples/variants as possible. If possible with weights/ measurements. Provide list of known identified makers and for each an example of one of their crosses.
We'll probably have more here than for 1813 but still likely to be a relatively small section.
Description of the award, greater standardisation of manufacture, but production continuing well after the event creating "genuine" pieces but of later date.
Illustrate as many original examples/variants as possible. If possible with weights/dimensions. Discuss the question of makers marks and whether the existence of these on 1870 pieces mean that they are of later manufacture etc.
As for 3.2.
This would cover all the patriotic stuff and could be as large or small as we want to make it. I guess most of this stuff tends to relate to 1914-18 so this section would be smallish anyway, but can describe how the EK caught the imagination of the nation and helped to inspire patriotic fervour etc.
The background to the Great War, the new foundation decree and its text, the change to the design.
Examples of the Grand Cross and the Hindenburgstern with details of the recipients. Only moderate coverage for the same reasons as 2.1
Description of the award, the explosion of different manufacturing styles for private purchase pieces etc. Photos of individuals wearing their Iron Crosses. Examples of actual recipients and their deeds. The continuation of awards after 1918. The manufacture of "replacement" pieces during the 3rd Reich.
Illustrate as many original examples/variants as possible. If possible with weights/ measurements. Provide list of known identified makers and for each an example of one of their crosses. This will probably be the biggest section of the book.
No doubt we will have a huge range to show here. Overall, the 1914 section will probably be around 75% of the book.
Although EK1 cases were more standardised than those for EK2s, there will still be a good range to cover, including the card slip covers.
Description of the award, including the gradual deterioration in quality of materials used as the war progressed.
Illustrate as many original examples/variants as possible. If possible with weights/dimensions. Discuss the question of makers marks and provide a full list of known marks with showing an original example of a cross for each known maker, and as many unmarked pieces as necessary to cover the range of styles (concave versus convex, oak leaves etc). Examples of actual recipients and their deeds.
As for 4.2.2
Examples of the packets. Envelopes etc that 1914 EK2s were supplied in.
Given the range of ephemera from this period this could be a major section of the book.
This will include statistical data/graphs on numbers of awards by year, by rank, by branch of service or whatever criteria we want to use.