Bavaria. A Royal Merit Order of St. Michael Complete Grand Cross Set by the Hemmerle Bros.

A superb quality c. 1900 Bavarian Royal Merit Order of St. Michael Complete Grand Cross Set (Bayerisch-Königlicher Verdienstorden vom heiligen Michael Großkreuz und Bruststern zum Großkreuz); the breast star in extremely fine quality silver and enamels; the obverse with a central blue enameled medallion, inscribed “Quis Ut Deus” (Latin - Who [is] like God?) in gold, surrounded by a four-armed cross pattée, inscribed “PFFP” for “Principi Fidelis Favere Patria” (Latin - Faithful to the prince, sub-servant to the fatherland); the reverse with a vertical needle pinback and a functional hinge/catch assembly, along with four nuts-and-bolts assemblies, and a central silver medallion, maker marked “Juwiliere Gebrüder Hemmerle Vorm Elchiner, München); measuring 91.91 mm x 92.96 mm. The grand cross in the form of a gold cross pattée with blue enamels and lightning bolts emanating from the centre; hollow; the obverse with a solid gold disc depicting St. Michael slaying a dragon - his shield reads “Quis Ut Deus” (Latin - Who [is] like God?); the reverse inscribed “Viruti” (Latin - Virtue); suspended from a swivel crown suspension, with a horizontally pierced ball and loop for suspension; measuring 65.18 mm x 110.78 mm; weighing 58.6 grams; with its full-size period original 100 mm wide ribbon; superb quality examples in virtually mint condition.

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.