Vatican, Italian Unification. An Order of St. Sylvester, Grand Officer, by G. Wolfers, c.1910

(Ordine di San Silvestro Papa). Instituted 1841. Italian Unification Period. A fine quality set, consisting of a neck badge in silver, featuring an enameled white Maltese Cross, with clusters of individual rays in each quadrant, obverse centre exhibiting a detailed portrait of St. Sylvester in Gold upon a blue enameled field, surrounded by a Gold border with embossed inscription SANC. SILVESTER P.M., reverse centre also in Gold depicting a superposed Vatican coat of arms, encircled by an elegant enameled blue border inscribed by the institution date MDCCCXLI (1841) and the renovation date MCMV (1905), suspended by an typical of time period ornament suspension with integral ball, hallmarked with ZII denoting Dutch assay import in .835 fineness silver post 1953, measuring 53.55 mm (w) x 61.42 (h - inclusive of integral ball), with enamel loss to arm tips from knock, otherwise, near very fine. Accompanied by the star of the order, consisting of a finely toned eight-pointed star in silver, each arm composed of a cluster of five individual faceted rays, obverse presenting an enameled white Maltese Cross in silver gilt, with multiple individual rays in each quadrant, obverse centre featuring a silver gilt portrait of St. Sylvester on an enameled blue background, surrounded by a gilt border inscribed by SANC. SILVESTER P.M., encircled by a beaded silver edge, reverse with pin assembly and single stay, with makers cartouche of Gustave Wolfers, the finest jeweler in Belgium in the early of 20th century, stamped with ZII denoting Dutch assay import in .835 fineness silver post 1953, measuring 82.18 mm (w) x 87.22 (h), with loss of stay, 9 o'clock and 11 o'clock arm tip bent, with cracking to enamel, remains near very fine.

Footnote: The Order of St. Sylvester is awarded by the Pope to Catholics who are actively involved in the everyday activities of the church. It is also conferred upon individuals who have rendered professional and civil service in the realm of art, science, and literature that have benefited the church. The modern Order may also be awarded to non-Catholic recipients and women.

This offering is a part of the "Dr. Albert Goodwin Collection", a preeminent assemblage of world Orders, Medals, and Decorations composed solely by Dr.Goodwin between 1946-1967. Dr. Goodwin had a successful career as an educator and prominent physician in New York as well as actively serving in both World Wars with the United States Medical Corps. He acted as both President and Vice-President of the Orders and Medals Society of America (OMSA) and is responsible for organizing their first convention in 1960. He maintained further membership with the American Society of Military Collectors, the International Orders Research Society, and the American Numismatic Society. His knowledge and passion for history and awards is evident in this meticulously compiled collection that is now available in its entirety for the first time exclusively on eMedals.com.