Vivat ribbons

Vivat ribbons (Vivatbänder) were silk ribbons with printed patriotic messages popular in Germany and Austria during World War I. They celebrated various battles and important events, as well as royalty and the military leaders. They were designed by many famous German artists of the period. Their name was derived from word "Vivat!" ("Live!") printed on most of ribbons. During World War I many ribbons were released by the German Red Cross to raise funds for war relief and had the following text on the bottom "Zum Besten Des Roten Kreuzes; Verlag Amsler u. Ruthardt; Berlin W8" ("To the benefit of the Red Cross; Verlag Amsler & Ruthardt; Berlin W8").