Sweden, Kingdom. An Order of the North Star, Grand Cross, C.F. Carlman, 1924

(Kungliga Nordstjärneorden). Instituted in 1748. Type III (1919-1951), A finely made set consisting of a sash badge in silver gilt presenting a white enameled Maltese cross with ball finials, obverse and reverse centres in Gold with blue enamels, measuring 54.5 mm (w) x 80.2 mm (h- inclusive of its crown suspension), with blue enamel loss, on original black silk sash, remains near very fine. Accompanied by the star of the order, in silver, the design with scaled arms and nine emanating rays between each arm, maker marked "CFC" (C.F. Carlman, Stockholm), marked with the National three crowns (Tre Kronor) hallmark, marked with an "s" within a hexagon (silver standard), city stamped with the King's bust (made in Stockholm) and date marked "X7" (1924) on the underside of the hinge, measuring 73.8 mm (w) x 74 mm (h), vertical pinback, light contact, very fine.

Footnote: The Order of the North Star (AKA Order of the Polar Star) is a Swedish order of chivalry created by King Frederick I on February 23, 1748, together with the Order of the Sword and the Order of the Seraphim. Until 1975, it was intended as a reward for Swedish and foreign "civic merits, for devotion to duty, for science, literary, learned and useful works and for new and beneficial institutions". Its motto is, as seen on the blue enameled centre of the badge, "Nescit Occasum", a Latin phrase meaning "It knows no decline". This is to represent that Sweden is as constant as a never setting star. The Order's colour is black. This was chosen so that when wearing the black sash, the white, blue and golden cross would stand out and shine as the light of enlightenment from the black surface. The choice of black for the Order's ribbon may also have been inspired by the black ribbon of the French Order of St. Michael, which at the time that the Swedish order was instituted, was also awarded to meritorious civil servants. After the reorganization of the orders in 1975, the order is only awarded to foreigners and members of the royal family. It is often awarded to foreign office holders (such as prime and senior ministers) during Swedish state visits. It is also awarded to junior members of royal families who would not qualify for the more prestigious Royal Order of the Seraphim. It is awarded in five classes: Commander Grand Cross (KmstkNO: the badge on a collar (chain) or on a sash on the right shoulder, plus the star on the left chest); Commander 1st Class (KNO1kl, the badge on a necklet, plus the star on the left chest), Commander (KNO, the badge on a necklet), Knight 1st Class (RNO1kl/LNO1kl, the badge on a ribbon on the left chest) and Knight (RNO/LNO, the badge on a ribbon on the left chest). 

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.