Italy, Kingdom. A 1938 AH State Visit Music Performer’s Badge, by Castelli Gerosa
Constructed of bronze with multi-coloured enamels, the obverse bearing a central enameled swastika flanked by a fasces bearing initials “OND” for Opera Nazionale Dopolavoro (National Recreation Club), in turn flanked by initials “PNF” for Partito Nazionale Fascista (National Fascist Party), overlaying a music sheet and above an identification code of “B.A. 16”, circumscribed by an inscription indicating that the badge was used by musicians during a performance for AH while on a state visit to Italy on 6 May 1938, the reverse with a horizontal pinback and with a double maker’s mark of “CASTELLI GEROSA, MILANO”, measuring 48 mm in diameter, with minor flecking of enamels evident, in near extremely fine condition.

