Austria, Empire. A Military Merit Cross, II Class Cross with III Class War Decoration, by Rudolph Souval, c.1915

(Militärverdienstkreuz). Instituted on 22 October 1849. II Period. (1914-1918 Issue). A silver cross pattée with white enamelled arms edged in red enamel, a gilded laurel wreath between the arms of the cross, the obverse centre features a white-enamelled medallion edged in red, with the word “VERDIENST” (“MERIT” broken into “VER” and “DIENST” to fit the centre, the reverse is plain in white enamel, the link ring is stamped with two hallmarks: a Diana’s head with the number “2” and letter “A” denoting silver purity of 900/1000, the city of Vienna, and the dates 1872 to 1922, maker marked “R-S” denoting Rudolph Souval manufacture, also retailer marked on 6 o'clock arm with “V. MAYER’S SÖHNE,” the top of the flat suspension loop is stamped “A A,” the cross measures 40.01 mm (w) x 45.33 mm (h), on a flat suspension loop through a neck ribbon with a laddered pattern of red stripes with white between the “rungs” and a white border, with centre pieces having been reaffixed with visible residue, otherwise near very 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.