France, Republic. An Order of Public Health, Knight, c.1950

France, Republic. An Order of Public Health, Knight, c.1950 "Ordre de la Santé Publique. Instituted in 1938. In frosted silver with blue enamels, measuring 40 mm (w) x 41.7 mm (h) inclusive of its integral suspension, chipping evident in the blue enamels on the reverse centrepiece, original ribbon, near extremely fine.

Footnote: The Order of Public Health was a French order of merit, created by presidential decree of President Albert Lebrun on February 18, 1938 and amended on May 22, 1954, awarded for services to the public health and protection of children. It was replaced by the Ordre national du Mérite in 1963. The Order had three classes, and was only awarded to people who were a minimum of thirty years old: Commander (40 awards), Officer (170 awards) and Knight (806 awards).

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.