Russia, Imperial. An Order of the White Eagle, Badge of the Order, c.1851

(О́рден Бе́лого Орла́). Instituted 1 November 1705 by Augustus II. Re-instituted 1831 by Tsar Nicholas I. (1831-1855 issue). A superior example of this early and desirable order, finely crafted in hollow Gold, obverse consisting of a superb, Gold and black enameled, double-headed Romanov Imperial Eagle with hand etched detailing, overlaid by a red enamelled Maltese Cross with white borders and ball finials, in turn bearing a traditional Polish-style imperial eagle in Gold with expertly executed white enamel feathers, reverse of equal and unmatched quality with feathered designs of the Romanov eagle, overlaid by a red and white enameled MARIA monogram, the heads of the Romanov eagle each bearing a loop accommodating a suspension apparatus in the form of a Gold crown with blue, red, and white enamels, with loop attaching to a ring suspending the decoration from its period original sash, constructed of woven blue ribbon, marked on the reverse of the eagle’s right talon with the symbol of the city of St. Petersburg and a partially obscured date of “18*1”, also marked with partial city mark on 7 o'clock ball finial, likely an early example manufactured by the workshop of Johann Wilhelm Keibel (1788-1862), who was appointed the successor of prominent Royal jeweler and earlier maker of the White Eagle, Emmanuel Georg von Pannasch, measuring 63.59 mm (w) x 105.13 mm (inclusive of suspension), weighing 84.8 grams, with only minor enamel loss to obverse white eagle, 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.