Badge of the Order of the White Star of the 5th class of the 1936 model, Estonia

An original and rather rare order in very good condition. Heavy metal, gilding, enamel. The order is on the original ribbon. Small thread-like cracks on the central medallion. In just 3 years, 589 awards were made. Guarantee of authenticity.

The Order of the White Star (est. Valgetähe teenetemärk) is a state award of the Republic of Estonia. The Order of the White Star is awarded to persons in public service or working in local self-government, as well as other persons in recognition of economic, educational, scientific, cultural, sports or other public services and achievements.

The Order of the White Star was established by the Law on State Awards of the Republic of Estonia on October 7, 1936 in memory of the liberation struggle of the people of Estonia. The Order was established in 2 special degrees (the chain of the order and a special large ribbon), 5 main degrees and 3 degrees of the medal (gold, silver and bronze).

The entry of Estonia into the USSR in 1940 ended the existence of the Estonian orders. After the restoration of Estonia's independence in 1991, the Order of the White Star was revived by the Law on Awards of May 5, 1994 as an award for persons in public service or working in local self-government, as well as other persons, in recognition of economic, educational, scientific, cultural, sports or other public services and achievements. The Order was restored in 5 main degrees and 1 medal (bronze). On May 16, 1995, the highest degree of the order, the chain, was restored, and the medal was changed to silver.

The first Order of the White Star was awarded on June 21, 1937 to eight Estonian police officers — four received the 3rd degree, two — the 4th degree, and two — the 5th degree of the order. The awards were presented to them on Victory Day on June 23, 1937. A total of 2,000 Estonians and 363 foreigners from 28 countries were awarded the Order of All degrees until July 1940. After the revival of the Order in 1994, the first awards were held on May 16, 1995 — during the visit of Estonian President Lennart Meri to Finland, various degrees of the order were awarded to 80 Finnish citizens at once.

The highest degree is the chain of the Order, while by their status the chains of Estonian orders can only be awarded to heads of state. The first chain of the Order of the White Star was awarded to Konstantin Pyats upon his inauguration as President of Estonia on April 24, 1938. All other chains of the order were awarded to the heads of foreign states. In fact, the chain of the Order of the White Star serves as a diplomatic ceremonial award, "as a sign of friendship" awarded to heads of state during their visits to Estonia or foreign visits of the President of Estonia. Also, other degrees of the order can be awarded to foreign civil servants within the framework of the diplomatic protocol, and a table of correspondence of the degree awarded with the official rank of the recipient has been developed. Until 1940, the second highest degree after the chain was a special large ribbon. Only two people were awarded it — General Johan Laidoner and Polish Marshal Edward Rydz-Smigly.

The award of the order takes place 1 time a year. The awarding decrees are signed by the President of Estonia at the beginning of February, the awarding of the badges traditionally takes place on the eve of the Independence Day of Estonia. In exceptional cases, the award may be made at another time. 9 holders of the Order of the White Star were subsequently deprived of the award by the decision of the President of Estonia.

In the hierarchy of Estonian awards, the Order of the White Star occupied the third place from 1936 to 1995, after the Cross of Freedom and the Order of the State Emblem. Since 1995, he has been ranked fourth — after the newly established Order of the Cross of the Land of Mary, which took third place.