France, II Empire. A Royal Order of St. Louis, I Class Grand Cross Star, c.1850

(Ordre Royal et Militaire de Saint-Louis). Instituted on 5 April 1693 by King Louis XIV. Type VII. (1830 to 1852 Louis Phillipe and II Empire Issue). A superb silver gilt star consisting of a Maltese Cross with flat ball finials and a scaled design on each arm with large fleurs-de-lys in each quadrant, centre obverse presents a circular enamelled effigy of St. Louis wearing a gold breastplate and royal mantle, bearing a wreath of laurel in each hand standing on a patch of green enamel at 6 o’clock with a background of red enamel encircled by a blue surround inscribed LUDOVICUS MAG. INSTIT. 1693. (Louis the Great Instituted 1693), centre reverse is plain and features a vertical pinback with dual stays, measures 80.5mm (w) x 80.5mm (h), gilt is worn, with wear to enameling, very fine condition.

Footnote: The Order was founded by Louis XIV on April 5, 1693. It was conferred upon Catholic Officers of the Royal Army for meritorious and distinguished military service. It was the first order of merit in France which permitted an Officer who was not of noble birth to be named a Knight. Napoleon’s Legion of Honour was inspired by this Order.

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.