Austria, Empire. Order of Franz Joseph, I Class Grand Cross War Decoration Sash

(Kaiserlich-österreichischer Franz-Joseph-Orden, Kriegsdekoration). Instituted in 1849. A mid 20th century manufactured sash, fabricated from silk, incorporating a decorative moiré pattern, a wide field in the centre with alternating thin horizontal red and white stripes, the wide field flanked by wide red stripes and butting wide white stripes along the edges, a band with a ribbon tie sewn in place near the bottom end for the placement of the badge, measuring 105 mm wide x 830 mm in length, vibrant colours, intact stitching, extremely fine.

Footnote: The Order of Franz Joseph was instituted in 1849 and awarded for military and civil merit, especially in industry, commerce and diplomacy, in five grades: Grand Cross, Commander with Star, Commander, Officer and Knight. The ribbon was plain red except for awards for war services, when the war decoration ribbon was used.

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.