Roman Catholic Ecclesiastical, An Order of Saint Rita of Cascia, Commander, c.1900

An unusual and rare set consisting of a commander's neck badge in bronze gilt with arms alternating with red enamels, obverse centre with a gilt portrait of Saint Rita upon a white ground, reverse with her beatification and canonisation dates in gilt upon a white ground, a large laurel suspension with a deep relief including roses, measuring 64 mm (w) x 107 mm (h - inclusive of laurel suspension as well as integral detailed ring), with original marron neck ribbon, better than extremely fine. Accompanied by Commander's star, hand filed four armed star, similar to those commonly found within the order of St.Maurice & St.Lazarus, adorned by bronze gilt ornate cross with red enamels, centre with a gilt portrait of Saint Rita upon a white ground, reverse with Italian style pin assembly, measuring 74 mm (w) x 74 mm (h), extremely fine. Accompanied by original case of issue, wooden frame wrapped in red leather with gold embossed boarders, very fine.

Footnote: Saint Rita of Cascia was born Margherita Lotti at Roccaporena, Perugia, in 1381, an Italian widow and Augustinian nun venerated as a saint in the Roman Catholic Church. Married at an early age, she is remembered for her enduring Christian values as a wife to a belligerent, and later murdered husband. Upon her joining an Augustinian community of religious sisters she was known for practising mortification of the flesh whilst a number of miracles are attributed to her intercession. Following her death from tuberculosis on 22 1457, she was beatified in 1626 by Pope Urban VIII, being canonised 24 May 1900 by Pope Leo XIII as Patroness of Impossible Causes, and also recognised in a number of communities as the Patroness of abused wives and unloved women. The quality and rarity of the order suggest that a small number of these insignia were commissioned by a Priest or Bishop at the canonisation of Saint Rita of Cascia in 1900. 

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.