Austria, Imperial. A Military Merit Order. First Class, War Decoration & Swords, c.1914

Militärverdienstkreuz I. Grades mit Kriegsdekoration und Schwertern, of extremely fine quality craftmanship, consisting of a cross pattée of solid silver construction, with untouched red and white enamels on the arms of the cross, a silver gilt wreath between the arms of the cross to denoate war decoration, as well as silver gilt crossed swords which are affixed by piercing the order centre, the obverse with a central medallion consisting of red and white enamels, inscribed “Verdienst” (German - Merit) in silver gilt lettering, the reverse plain, maker marked “Modell R. Marschall”, as well as “RS” on the vertical pin for “Rudolf Souval, Wien”, “AA” and with a “3-Dog Head-A” symbol for “800” silver quality, a lightly worn cross with some enamel loss to war decoration, otherwise near extremely fine and very rare. 

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.