Italy, Tuscany. A Military Order of Saint Stephen, I Class Grand Cross Sash

(Sacro Militare Ordine di Santo Stefano Papa e Martire). Instituted in 1554. A mid 20th Century sash ordered by Dr.Goodwin for this particular order. Fabricated from silk, incorporating a decorative moiré pattern, with a bright red field throughout, a band sewn in place near the bottom end with a ribbon tie for the placement of the badge, measuring 99 mm wide x 820 mm in length, vibrant colour, intact stitching, extremely fine.

Footnote: The Military Order of Saint Stephen (AKA Holy Military Order of St. Stephen Pope and Martyr) is a Roman Catholic Tuscan dynastic military order founded in 1561. The order was created by Cosimo I de' Medici, first Grand Duke of Tuscany. The last member of the Medici dynasty to be a leader of the order was Gian Gastone de Medici in 1737. The order was permanently abolished in 1859 by the annexation of Tuscany to the Kingdom of Sardinia. The former Kingdom of Italy and the current Italian Republic also did not recognize the order as a legal entity but tolerates it as a private body.

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.