Annam, French Protectorate. An Imperial Order of the Dragon, Grand Cordon, by A.Chobillon, c.1900

"(Ordre impérial du Dragon d'Annam). Instituted 1886 by Emperor Đồng Khánh. Civil Division. A large and impressive badge in silver, consisting of a hand finished eight armed star, Gold centre medallion of blue enamel bearing the legend ""Hoàng đế Đồng Khánh"" ('Emperor Đồng Khánh'; in stylised Chinese characters) with four radiant suns surrounded by a red enameled band, with silver crown adorned by large silver dragon with hand painted details, French hallmarked on elongated suspension loop with Swan denoting small silver guarantee, measuring 65 mm (w) x 110 cm (h - inclusive of crown and dragon), on original full length silk sash, extremely fine. Accompanied by the star of the order, a large silver disc with sixteen principle multirays points, obverse centre presents a hand painted silver dragon holding a similar Gold medallion of blue enamel bearing the legend ""Hoàng đế Đồng Khánh"" ('Emperor Đồng Khánh'; in stylised Chinese characters) with four radiant suns surrounded by a red enameled band, reverse with dual stays and pin assembly, French hallmarked on both catch and pin with Boars head denoting small silver guarantee post 1838, measuring 93 mm (w) x 93 mm (h), light paint loss on dragon, otherwise extremely fine. In original case of issue, wooden framed and wrapped in brown leather, interior lid maker marked for A.Chobillon, remains good.

Footnote: The Imperial Order of the Dragon of Annam was created on March 14, 1886, in the ancient Vietnamese city of Huế, by Emperor Đồng Khánh of the Imperial House of Annam, upon the """"recommendation"""" of the President of France as a jointly awarded French colonial order. The Order was designed as a reward for services to the state, the French colonial government, or the emperor. When French colonial rule over Indochina ended, the Order of the Dragon of Annam was abolished and replaced by the National Order of Vietnam which was later retained and revised by the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam). The ribbon of the Dragon of Annam was retained for this award, but it was (belatedly) recognized that a colonial order had no place in the new regime as the order was always historically associated with the period of French rule. Even the name of """"Annam"""" in the title of the order was a point of dishonor as the name comes from the old Chinese term for Vietnam, which means """"the pacified south"""". It was awarded in five classes: Grand Cordon, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer and Knight.

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.