Sweden, Kingdom. An Order of the Sword in Gold, I Class Grand Cross, c.1910

(Kungliga Svärdsorden). Instituted by King Frederick I of Sweden on February 23, 1748. Type II. 1871-1919 Issue. A fine quality grand cross sash badge in Gold, consisting of a white enameled Maltese Cross in saltire (i.e. "X" shaped), with Gold crowns with enameled jewels in each quadrant, a pair of crossed Gold swords with blue enameled scabbards and downward turned blades lie across both the 12 and 6 o'clock arms, single Gold swords stand vertically along the 3 and 9 o'clock arms, obverse centre medallion presenting an upright Gold sword between three Gold crowns on a blue enameled background, reverse centre medallion with an upright gold sword intersecting a Gold laurel wreath and the Latin Motto "Pro Patria" (For Fatherland) on a blue enameled background, the badge is adorned by a Royal crown with enameled jewels, hallmarked on cross and elongated loop with Dutch import/duty mark "vreemd" for used imported objects between 1906 and 1953, measuring 53.5 mm (w) x 78 mm (h - inclusive of crown with horizontally pierced ball suspension adorned by cross), accompanied a mid-20th century silk sash, with minor hairline cracking and light contact, extremely fine.

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.