France. A Military Order of the French Alliance, Commander in Gold, c.1890

(Ordre Militaire de ‘Alliance Française, commandeur) Pale blue enamel cross bottony with three gilt ribbed rays between each arm, on loop and ribbon ring suspension; the face with an oval medallion imposed centrally, a gilt stippled ground bearing an escutcheon with black, white and black enamel vertical panels, an eagle above with wings spread, all on a trophy of arms in relief and encircled by a gilt-edged white enamel ring inscribed in gilt letters ‘ORDRE MILITAIRE DE L’ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE 1778’; the reverse with an oval medallion imposed centrally, a gilt stippled ground bearing a pastiche of Mount Rushmore encircled by a gilt-edged white enamel belt inscribed in gilt letters ‘L’UNION RENFORCE LA VALEUR’ (Unity reinforces bravery); a small chip to the blue enamel of the left-hand tip of the face; 39.5mm (1.55 inches) wide, 42.50 mm (1.67 inches) high; on neck ribbon, very fine.

Footnote: The treaty of alliance between the then Kingdom of France and the newly-independent United States of America was signed on 6 February 1778. The Alliance Française is a cultural organisation founded in 1883 to promote French language and culture but does not have a military arm. The origins of this piece are therefore uncertain and it is probably an unofficial award from a society.

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.