Hawai’i Kingdom. A Royal Order of Kalakaua, Companion's Badge, by Kretly, Paris, c.1890

(Kalākaua I e Hookanaka). Instituted 1875 by King Kalakaua. Manufactured in Paris by Kretly who was primary contractor of the Kingdom of Hawai’i, a silver and blue enamel maltese cross with a white enamel border with silver wreath segments supported by a pulo’ulo’u in each quadrant, topped by a surmounting crown, obverse center depicts a circular shield of blue enamel with a yellow and red enameled kahili, surrounded by a white enamel ring with KALAKAUA FEBRUARY 12TH 1874 in gold script, the reverse center bears a shield of blue enamel with 1874 and KEOLA (Eternal life) in the surrounding white enamel ring, measuring 37mm (w) x 60mm (h - inclusive of surmounting crown with horizontally pierced ball suspension adorned by cross), enamel loss and cracking on tips of 6 and 9 o’clock arms and central white ring, enamel loss and cracking on tips of 3, 6 and 9 o’clock arms and central white ring, top tip of 9 o’clock arm slightly bent up, silver tarnished, on original section of ribbon, better than good.

Footnote: The Royal Order of Kalakaua I was implemented by King Kalakaua I on September 28, 1875 to commemorate his election to the throne on February 21, 1874. The Companion was conferred on 73 individuals. The Order was last awarded in 1892 and became obsolete in 1893. A pulo’ulo’u is long staff topped with a spherical ball and is considered a hawaiian symbol of royalty. A kahili is a noble family staff which stands 20 feet high, topped with a cylindrical device which holds feathers of various colour. 

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.