Austria, Imperial. An Austro-Hungarian Pilot/Radio Operator Badge, Karl I, c.1918

(Flugzeugführer und Beobachterabzeichen). A late war badge consisting of a silver eagle clutching lightning bolts, fastened onto an open-ended oval shaped and white enamelled laurel wreath via two rivets visible on the reverse, towards the top of the badge is a white enamelled shield featuring the black enamelled cipher of Karl I, while the bottom of the wreath is decorated with the coat of arms of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the reverse plain, with a damaged vertical pin assembly, measuring 56.99 mm (w) x 57.19 mm (h), weighing 20.7 grams, exhibiting residue and some oxidization, fair.

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.